Baby Umbilical Cord Fell Off - Should You Apply Anything When a newborn’s umbilical cord falls off, many parents wonder if they should apply anything to the area or simply leave it to heal naturally. Proper cord care is important to prevent infection and support healthy healing. Dr. Sindhu Sivanandan, Chief Neonatologist at Kauvery Hospital Radial Road, explains what parents should do after the umbilical cord falls off, what is safe to apply, and the signs to watch for during the healing process.