Care of Your Baby's Navel
Until the navel is completely healed (usually at two or three weeks of age) it should be moistened 3 to 4 times a day with alcohol.
Pull the skin away from the umbilical cord to ensure that the alcohol gets deep into the base of the cord. Try not to allow the diaper to cover the cord, as good ventilation will hasten its separation.
Some yellow discharge is normal. Should there be large amounts of a yellowish discharge or bleeding, your physician should be advised. A scant spotting of blood from the navel just before and for a few days after the cord comes off is to be expected.