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Baby's umbilicus will dry up and fall off with 7-14 days after the birth.
To care for it your just need to keep it dry and clean. At nappy changes, it is advised to wipe around the base with a clean cotton swab dipped in alcohol. This has commonly been used with satisfactory results, but may be a bit harsh. I have also known of parents using calendula tincture or witch hazel. If you suspect an infection, talk to your midwife or health visitor who can suggest a method of treatment. The use of antibiotics should be entirely avoidable if you catch the problem soon enough.
Traditional umbilical facts:
Native Americans would keep a piece of the dried umbilical cord in a pouch around baby's neck into childhood. If the child fell sick, he would chew on the cord to promote healing.
It has also been ground into a powder by many cultures and drunk to cure ills.
In our family, we take the length of cord and sever it from the placenta, squeeze all the remaining blood from it and lay it to dry out; in the shape of a spiral for the girls and a wavy "snake" for the boys. We have them pinned in a display case, a most interesting conversation piece, but most of all a special symbol of my connection to my children.
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