The umbilical cord is the connecting structure between the fetus and the placenta, shaped like a cord with a smooth, transparent surface, containing connective tissue and an umbilical vein and a pair of umbilical arteries. After the birth of the fetus, the doctor will ligate this umbilical cord, “separating mother and child” and becoming an independent person. I. Care of the umbilical cord before it falls off The newborn’s umbilical cord needs to be well cared for before it falls off, and its care measures are as follows: 1. Wash your hands when operating to avoid hand bacteria infecting the umbilicus; 2. Don’t let the umbilical cord get wet; 3. Keep the umbilical cord and its surrounding skin dry and clean, such as diapers not covering the umbilicus; 4. Wipe it twice a day with a 75% alcohol swab, once in the morning and once in the evening. Second, the umbilical cord of a newborn falls off in a few days The time of the umbilical cord falling off is mainly related to the method of ligating the umbilical cord after the birth of the newborn. If the residual end is short, it can fall off in 3-4 days; if the residual end is long, it usually falls off in 5-7 days. If the residual umbilical cord becomes black and dry, 95% alcohol can be used to gently scrub it, and the dry and black cord can fall off. If the umbilical cord does not fall off for more than 7 days or even longer, you should go to the hospital for further examination and treatment. Care of the umbilical cord after shedding The umbilical cord should be cared for after shedding, as follows: 1. Use a 75% alcohol swab to wipe the umbilical fossa from inside to outside, then cover with sterilized gauze; 2. Do not sprinkle “anti-inflammatory powder” on the umbilicus to prevent infection; 3. If there is pus secretion in the umbilical fossa, the skin around it is red, swollen and hot, and the child shows anorexia, vomiting, fever or temperature does not rise, it mostly indicates umbiliculitis and should be seen by a hospital immediately.