Alcohol is often used at each diaper change. Some physicians recommend using plain water, or just allowing it to air dry. Keep the cord on the outside of the baby s diaper. There may be a small amount of blood after the cord falls off, but this should stop quickly. Never try to pull the cord off.
Parents are often concerned about a baby s navel being an innie or an outie.
There is no way to predict this or make the navel look one way or another. Contrary to popular traditions, taping a coin or other flat object over the navel does not help. It is common in some babies for there to be a small protrusion of the baby s abdomen around the navel, especially when the baby cries. This is part of the baby s development and usually goes away on its own. Some babies may have a weakness in the abdominal muscles called an umbilical hernia.