The CNM I got the references on cord care also sent me a little on how she handles cord care with her clients. I recieved permission from her to share this with you: Janette The cord falls off by gangrene! That's the way it works, so our job is to not interfere too much with it. Use soap and water once a day around the cord, and dry it well. Alcohol just holds off the gangrene and makes the cord take longer to fall off. After the cord falls off, the umbilicus may "leak" pink discharge for 2-3 wks, and this stuff is sticky and irritating to the skin. Again, careful cleaning with soap and water once a day, and just warm water on a cloth or a Q Tip in between times is fine. You really do have to dig in there and get the crusty stuff off, because that is what is irritating. If the skin gets red around the belly button, you can put some vasaline or A& D Ointment to protect the skin. Signs of infected cord are MAJOR reddness, tenseness of the skin, and fever. This happens once in about 50,000 births. V<>V<>V<>V<>V<>V<>V<>V Jude Kurokawa, CNM, FNP 513 Dayton St. Wolf Point, MT 59201 406-653-1608 Home and Hospital births on the Rez The Coyote midwife sits by the hole and waits.... mailto:[log in to unmask] HTTP://www.midrivers.com/~jkuro