The baby’s umbilical cord is wrapped during the first 24 hours of life and is exposed naturally thereafter to speed up the drying and shedding of the umbilical cord gel. The average time for the umbilical cord to shed is 3 to 10 days. Before it falls off, disinfect it once a day in the morning and once a day in the afternoon. When disinfecting, lift the umbilical cord to expose the root (which will not cause injury or pain) and clean the umbilical cord root and surrounding secretions from the inside out with an alcohol swab. After the umbilical cord is removed, an umbilical fossa is formed and disinfected from the inside out. After the umbilical fossa has been dry for 48 hours, it can be dipped in water during bathing. Until then, try to avoid wetting the umbilicus, such as when the baby’s diaper folds back under the umbilicus and does not cover the belly button. When the umbilicus becomes the same color as the skin, there is no need to disinfect it.