Final answer:
A nurse should recommend keeping the umbilical cord area clean and dry, cleaning it with soap and water while avoiding covering with bandages or applying ointments until the stump falls off naturally and turns into the navel.
Step-by-step explanation:
Caring for a newborn's umbilical cord area is crucial until the stump falls off and the area heals. The correct recommendation for a new mother from a nurse would be to keep the umbilical area clean and dry. Soap and water can be used safely to clean it during baths but should be followed by gentle patting to dry the area thoroughly. The cord clamp should be left in place until the cord stump has naturally separated on its own. It's important to avoid covering the umbilical stump with a bandage or applying ointments and lotions, as this may inhibit the drying and healing process. Instead, the stump should be exposed to air as much as possible.
During the initial weeks, umbilical cord care requires the mother to observe the stump for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, foul-smelling discharge, or if the newborn appears to be in discomfort. After the umbilical stump falls off, the area should continue to be kept clean and observed until it is completely healed into what will become the baby's navel.