By Wond PregHonestly, don’t worry about it too much! Just keep it clean and dry – so if the baby needs a bath while the cord is still attached, sponge-bathe rather than submerge the baby. Another trick is to fold down the top of the diaper before fastening; this keeps the cord from being irritated and helps keep it dry. If the cord becomes dirty, just use soap and warm water to clean it; no need to use alcohol or other agents. If you notice any discharge from the cord (particularly if it smells bad), bleeding more than a few drops, or if the baby cries when you touch or move the cord, let the doctor know. Cords usually fall off by several weeks of life; if it’s still present at eight weeks or so, bring it to your pediatrician’s attention.