The umbilical cord of a newborn can be completely sterilized with iodophor. After birth, the umbilical cord is tied, and often in the hospital the doctor will disinfect the umbilical cord every day. In case of a normal birth, the mother is often discharged from the hospital after 3-5 days, and at home the parents can disinfect the umbilical cord of the newborn every day with povidone-iodine. Povidone-iodine is very effective and causes very little skin irritation to the newborn. Parents can disinfect their newborns with povidone-iodine 1-2 times a day. Most newborns’ umbilical cords fall off gradually in about 2 weeks after birth. If the umbilical cord is not sterilized properly, it can cause neonatal umbilical cord infection and even sepsis.