Umbilical cord (also known as: funiculus umbilicalis, birth cord or naval string) is a conduit between a fetus or embryo and planenta which transports nutrients and oxygen from a surrogate mother to your baby throughout entire pregnancy.  After birth, the umbilical cord is no longer needed — so it's clamped and snipped. Within 1-2 weeks after delivery, the umbilical cord stump usually becomes dry and falls off. In order to avoid further irritations or infections, it takes a little care and attention to prevent complciations.

• Keep the cord dry and clean - The drier the stump, the sooner the string will fall off. Allow the cord to be exposed to air as often as possible. Keep the front of your baby's diaper folded down to avoid covering the stump or use diapers that have a special cut out. Avoid dressing your baby in bodysuit-style undershirts.
• Use sponge baths - Avoid to bathe your baby in a sink or tub until after the birth cord has fallen off. Insted, stick to sponge bath. 
• Let the stump fall off naturally -  DO NOT try to pull it off, even if it is only hanging on by a thread. Resist the temptation! 
• Do not apply alcohol - According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, alcohol kills the bacteria that is needed for the cord to get dried and fall off.

You are recommended to consult with a pediatric, if:

• Your baby cries when you touch the cord or the area around it;
• There is redness, swelling, or tenderness of the skin around the stump;
• The stump smells foul or has a yellowish/greenish discharge;
• The stump starts bleeding continuously;