1. FIVE EASY STEPS TO CLEAN YOUR BABY’S UMBILICAL CORD

2. Babies are born with weird looking umbilical stumps that need cleaning every day. After about 7-14 days, the stump will dry out, turn black and fall off, like a frost-bitten finger.

3. WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO THE CLEANING - Towel or changing mat Cotton - wool/cotton balls - Bowl of lukewarm water

4. STEP 1: LIE YOUR BABY DOWN Place your baby on a towel or changing mat. Make sure you have the bowl of warm water and cotton wool nearby.

5. STEP 2: DIP SOME COTTON WOOL IN WATER Gentle soak cotton balls in alcohol then carefully wipe around the stump and the cord. Wipe in one direction so as not exposed the navel to any infection.

6. STEP 3:WIPE AROUND THE STUMP  Gently clean around the bellybutton stump, trying to keep it as dry as possible. Note: Never pull the stump, as this may cause permanent damage. The stump will take about a week to dry out and fall off. It may smell a bit and be sticky at the base. A little blood is also normal. But do check with your midwife or doctor if the stump weeps blood or pus, or the stomach becomes red and swollen.

8. STEP 4:USE CLEAN COTTON WOOL Throw away each piece of cotton wool as you use it. This avoids any risk of infection.

9. STEP 5:FOLD THE WAISTBAND DOWN This stops the nappy rubbing the umbilical stump and causing soreness or bleeding.

10. If you follow these 5 easy steps you wont have a worry in the world when it comes to taking care of your baby’s cord. You will have the happiest baby in the whole wide world.