Washing newborns?

[crowinghen]

I have a newborn foster kitten that is being bottle-fed. He was only born about 48 hours ago. Last night he had a bowel movement without my help. (I was mostly relieved - had been stimulating him, but he just wouldn't go.)
But now he has fecal matter caking on his little umbilical cord. Is it safe to bathe him and wash his cord to get him clean? Or safer to wait until the cord falls off? I've heard conflicting things about this, and don't want to make this poor fragile little one sick.

 

[Sarthur2]

You may immerse his lower half only in lukewarm water to rinse the poop from his abdominal area. Be very gentle as it is important not to pull on the cord and cause a tear. Then you must wrap him in a towel and keep him warm with a heat lamp or heating pad.

 

[crowinghen]

Done! Thank You so much! He is resting with his sister (who did not get poop on her) now. He has a healthy set of lungs and a violated sense of justice, but he's a bit cleaner.