BABY WEEK 1
Because he was warped up inside your uterus until he was born, your newborn baby will probably look scrunched up for a while, with his arms and legs not fully extended.
This is nothing to worry about your baby will stretch out, little by little, and by the time he reaches 6 months, he'll be fully unfurled! In the meantime, as he adjusts to life outside the warm, safe confines of your womb, he may enjoy being wrapped in a light blanket.
Umbilical-Cord
This umbilical cord once tethered your baby to you inside the womb, delivering nutrients to help your baby grow. Once he made his debut, the cord was cut, and now just a short stump remains. This stump eventually shrinks, shrivels, blackens, and then falls off sometime during the first few weeks. It looks weird, but don’t be intimidated. Tending to the umbilical stump is actually pretty simple: Just keep the scab clean and dry but otherwise leave it alone.
How to treat Umbilical-Cord:
- Keep it clean. If the stump looks dirty dab it gently with a soapy washcloth (no alcohol) and then pat with a dry cloth.
- Stick to sponge baths. Don’t dunk that navel underwater for now. Once the stump falls off, feel free to bathe your babe in his pint-sized tub.
- Diaper delicately. Avoid covering the stump with the top of his diaper. Some newborn-size disposables feature a little notch at the waistband, or you can simply fold down the front of the diaper to keep it away from the belly button. Change wet and dirty diapers promptly so they don’t leak upward toward the navel.
- Dress delicately too. Choose loose-fitting togs that don’t press against the stump. Instead of snap-crotch undershirts, try the kimono style, which allow more air circulation and less rubbing.
- Resist removing. Let the scab fall off on its own, never pull it, even if it seems to be connected by only the tiniest thread.
