How long does it take for the umbilical cord to dry up and how do I clean it?

It usually takes about 3 weeks at least and I've been told not to use anything on it and just let it dry up on its own.

My babies cords always fell off around when they were 10-14 days old. Clean around it with alcohol on a q tip.

@mjsmama, I can't just wipe it down with water just to keep it clean and not smelly?

Like around it where it connects to her belly

@babymama85, thanks 😊

It only took a week for my sons to fall off. I cleaned it with what they gave me at the hospital.

@dja, I been told using alcohol (like rubbing alcohol or anything like that) won't make it dry up any quicker. Just using that will take just as long if you leave it alone and not use anything. If you know what I mean.

@mjsmama, that make sense too. I'm just stuck 😂 moisture won't help it dry... I'll just ask the nurses or something

So we didn't use anything and it came off by itself and my son didn't have an infection or anything like that. But if it comes off like a day before your sons/daughters appointment then they will have something to clean it to help the belly button go in like it's supposed to when they get older. If it's still sticking out a little when they are about 7 months then that's fine. It's normal. My son's (umbilical cord) was hanging like it was on a thin piece of thread so his pediatrician went ahead and took it out and cleaned it.

@dja, are you doing sponge baths? best thing to do is not to get to close to it when you're giving them a bath

@mjsmama, I didn't have her yet, I'm asking just to get tips for when I do. And I know when I do sponge bathe her not to get the cord wet (I YouTube a lot lol) and I hope her belly button goes in like it's supposed to too, my little brothers belly button never went in and they had to give him surgery when he's was about 5.