Patent ID: 6875200

Claim:
A method of using a bandage for protecting the skin of an infant surrounding the stump of an umbilical cord by a user having two arms each having a hand, said bandage comprising an upper surface constructed from absorbent material, a lower surface constructed from nonabsorbent material, an outer peripheral edge, a circular central cutout defined by an inner peripheral edge for accommodating an umbilical cord, a flap closure portion comprising a bottom flap and an overlapping top flap, said bottom flap having an absorbent upper surface, a nonabsorbent lower surface, and a lower slit extending from the outer peripheral edge to the inner peripheral edge, said top flap also having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an upper slit extending from the outer peripheral edge to the inner peripheral edge, wherein both the lower slit and the upper slit extend fully from the upper surface to the lower surface of the bandage, wherein both the upper surface and the lower surface of the top flap are constructed from absorbent material, and wherein the lower surface of the top flap further comprises an adhesive and a self-adhesive backing, whereby the lower surface of the top flap may be fastened to the upper surface of the bottom flap, comprising the steps of: a) removing any clothes of the infant which cover the umbilical cord stump; b) laying the infant on its back; c) holding the bandage with both hands by the user, with one hand on each side of the flap closure portion; d) pulling apart the flap closure portion by the user; e) peeling off the self-adhesive backing on the lower surface of the top flap by the user; f) placing the lower surface of the bandage against the skin of the baby which surrounds the umbilical cord stump with the stump extending through the circular central cutout; g) attaching the top flap to the bottom flap by pressing the top flap gently onto the bottom flap; h) applying a treatment solution to the umbilical cord stump; i) removing the bandage after use after peeling apart the top flap from the bottom flap; and j) discarding the bandage.