Sponge baths can be done for the first few days. The newborn baby’s risk of hypothermia is more of a concern, especially in the first few days of life, than any issues with the cord stump. Always dry your hands well before touching the stump as you want to keep the cord stump dry, and exposed to air as much as possible. While you need to ensure it is not in contact with any dirty or unclean surfaces or substances, you also don’t want to cover it tightly with a dressing. Keep in mind the use of topical antibacterial solutions to reduce the risk of serious infections on the cord stump is still not universally accepted by medical professionals. But umbilical infections can be serious, and many practitioners continue to recommend the use of an antiseptic to keep them clean.  Effective and easily available antibacterial solutions include triple dye and chlorhexidine.  Iodine tincture and povidone-iodine are less effective. Alcohol (ethanol and isopropyl alcohol) should be avoided. The antibacterial effect of alcohol is brief and can be harmful to the baby. It can also delay the usual 7-14 days of cord drying and separation by a day or two. Only apply it to the cord stump. Try not to leave any of the antiseptic on the skin around the stump.
حممي الطفل خلال أول ست ساعات من الحياة. اغسلي يديك بالماء والصابون قبل الاعتناء بالقرمة وبعدها. تجنبي لمس قرمة الحبل أو تعريضها للمواد غير النظيفة. عالجي قرمة الحبل السري بمطهر. ضعي المطهر كل يوم أو مع تغيير الحفاض لثلاثة أيام على الأقل.