Bathing, Diaper, and Umbilical Cord Care

Newborn care can feel like a lot at first, but simple routines can keep your baby clean, comfortable, and healthy. These tips will help you care for your baby’s umbilical cord, bathe them safely, and prevent diaper rash.

Umbilical Cord Care

Your baby’s belly button cord (umbilical cord stump) will dry up and fall off on its own within 1–3 weeks. Keep the area clean and dry—there’s no need to use alcohol, creams, or powders. Fold the diaper below the cord so it doesn’t rub, and avoid touching it. Always have anyone wash their hands before handling your baby. After a bath, gently pat the area dry.

Call your baby’s care provider right away if you see:

• Bad-smelling fluid or pus from the cord
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Skin around the cord that is red or dark, swollen, or warm to the touch

Bathing

Most babies get their first bath the day after birth, with help from your nurse, who will show you how. Use a soft cloth—wash your baby’s face first, then the rest of their body.

Tips for baby bath at home:

• Baby can soak in the bath when the umbilical cord falls off 
• Newborn skin is sensitive, so use warm water and only a small amount of fragrance-free baby soap or shampoo made for babies.
• Babies don’t need a bath every day. You only need to bathe baby 1-3 times a week
• Water temp should be around 100 degrees F and feel warm on the inside of wrist  
• Use a baby bath, not a large bathtub
• Never leave baby alone in the tub

Diaper Care

In the first week, the number of wet diapers increases each day:

• about one on day one
• two on day two
• three on day three
• by day five or later, at least six heavy wet diapers every 24 hours

Tips for diaper changes:

• Change your baby’s diaper often to help prevent rash, every 1-3 hours.
• Clean the area with water or baby wipes. 
• For baby girls, always wipe from front to back to keep stool out of the vaginal area. 
• For baby boys, gently clean the penis with warm water or wipes. Do not try to pull back or force the foreskin. The foreskin will naturally loosen and separate as your child grows. If your baby is circumcised follow thesetips: How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Circumcision
• Apply diaper cream as needed to protect the skin.If rash appears, wash and pat dry, apply a thick layer of non-scented petroleum jelly or zinc-based diaper cream. 

Your newborn’s poop will change in color and texture: it starts out thick and black-green (meconium), then turns mustard-yellow and seedy by days 3–5 for breastfed babies. Formula-fed babies’ poop is usually tan or brown. Frequency varies—some babies poop several times a day, while others may skip a day.

Have MassHealth or WellSense? 
Go to your postpartum visit and get a free box of diapers.