The stump is the small piece left of the umbilical cord. It darkens, dries and falls off on its own in the first days or weeks; it shouldn't be pulled, even when it seems to be hanging on by a small bit.
Everyday care
Wash your hands well before touching the area. Keep it clean and dry, fold down the edge of the diaper to avoid rubbing and let air circulate. Brazil's official pregnancy booklet, the Caderneta Brasileira da Gestante, advises cleaning it with soap and water or as the team instructs; some Brazilian services recommend 70% alcohol. Follow the guidance given by the maternity hospital or UBS (primary care clinic) for your baby.
Don't cover it with a band, a coin or a closed dressing, and don't apply powder, herbs, oil, ointment or any other home remedy. These products can irritate the area, slow drying or contaminate it.
What can happen without being an infection
A small amount of blood when it falls off can happen due to rubbing. If it keeps bleeding, repeatedly soaks the clothes or comes with other signs, ask the UBS for guidance.
Signs to seek care
Go to the UBS or a health service if there is a strong bad smell, discharge, intense redness or redness spreading across the skin, warmth or swelling around it, persistent bleeding, fever, difficulty feeding or unusual sleepiness.