Infants need to continue to be sterilized after the umbilical cord is detached, usually for another week or so.
After the umbilical cord is detached from the baby, it needs to continue to be sterilized because the local wound has not yet healed and lack of attention to hygiene may cause infection. Generally speaking, another week or so of disinfection is needed after the umbilical cord is detached from the infant. Disinfecting the infant’s umbilical cord 1 to 2 times a day, usually by choosing 75% alcohol and using a spiral technique, can clean up the secretions in the umbilical nest.
It is also necessary to keep the area around the umbilicus clean and dry on a daily basis. Avoid getting the area wet too early when bathing the infant, as this may cause infection. If you find that the umbilicus of infants appear oozing blood, oozing fluid, you need to be alert to the possibility of umbilical cord infection, you should seek medical attention.