How can I clean bloody belly button? And when for 1st bath?

[LadyOfWaffle]

DSs cord fell off last night but the belly button is still bloody, I have dabbed it with damp cotton wool but it's still bloody - can I rub it, or just keep dabbing? Also when can baby have 1st bath (well, a proper wash in a bath (just water)) - he is 12 days now and just been topping and tailing but think it may help wash away the blood from the belly button, or shall I just keep topping and tailing longer? I can't think when DS1 had his first bath! Thanks

[NomDePlume]

AFAIK baby can have the first bath as soon as they are born if you want to bathe them. Certainly DD was bathed by a midwife about 8 hours after she was born.

[Seeline]

I'm sure he can have his bath - I remember I was shown how to do it with DS in the Special Care unit, and he left hospital at 7 days. I'm sure I gave DD her first bath at about 2 days Keep an eye on the belly button, DD's got infected and i had to get some special powder from the GP.

[Mercy]

Can't advise re the cord I'm afraid, but both of mine had baths on the day they were born and 2/3 times a week after that.

[LadyOfWaffle]

oooooh good, I really want to give him a better wash, he had toe jam in hospital and I only have so much cotton wool! I'll keep an eye on it, it seems like a wound rather than crusty dried on blood which is why I am cautious about rubbing cotton wool across it as it may keep opening it up. I'll bath him and give his tummy a splash and see maybe if it just washes away...

[Poledra]

DD3's cord stump came off at Day 5 and was a bit bloody. MW advised gently cleaning it with cotton wool in the bath - it definitely makes it easier to clean if the bath water has softened the dried blood.

[stillstanding]

We bathed DS on Day 1 and were encouraged to do it every day. Re cord I believe you are supposed to leave it well alone. Just make sure it is dry after the bath with gentle dabbing of towel but don't scrub or use anything on it. Where I come from they tell you to use surgical spirits but they don't recommend that here. It will all sort itself out on its own soon!

[LadyOfWaffle]

MW said I should/could wipe it, but I don't know if she thought it was just dried blood. Shall I use cooled boiled water for the bath then if the belly button is still like that?

[stillstanding]

I certainly didnt and they didnt in hospital either ...

[Minniethemoocher]

My family are European and it is not the done thing to bath a baby until the cord has dropped off and the site is dry.