Final answer:
To care for a newborn's umbilical cord stub, keep it clean and dry until it naturally falls off, typically within three weeks post-birth. Avoid covering it with a diaper and refrain from using alcohol for cleaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The care of a newborn's umbilical cord stub is an essential aspect of neonatal health. After birth, the umbilical cord is double-clamped and cut, leaving a stub that will eventually dry and fall off to form the baby's navel. It's important to keep the umbilical stub clean and dry to prevent infection.
The best care is to clean around the base of the cord with a clean, dry cloth or a cotton swab and plain water, if needed. There is no need to clean the cord itself. Avoid covering the stub with a diaper or using alcohol to clean it, as these practices have fallen out of favor and are not necessary. The stub will naturally dry out, shrivel, and darken, eventually falling off within about three weeks of birth, although the exact timing can vary.