Umbilical cord antiseptics are often not used in swine production systems. The objective of this study was to determine if treating the umbilical cord with antiseptics reduces infection and enhances healing within the first 48 h after birth in newborn piglets. A total of 421 mixed sex commercial piglets from a breed-to-wean sow farm were enrolled. Piglets were alternately assigned by birth order within a litter to 4 treatment groups; (1) iodine (2%), (2) trisodium citrate (10%), (3) a dry dip created using an antibacterial peptide (nisin) mixed with talc, and (4) no treatment. All treatments were applied within 1 h of birth. At birth, stall conditions (wet/dry and clean/dirty) were evaluated on a 3-point scale (3 = most dirty or most wet and 1 = dry or clean). Prior to treatment, diameter of the umbilical cords (as an indicator of cord drying and healing) was determined using digital calipers. As a potential indicator of umbilical infections, surface temperature of the umbilical stump, along with a reference point at the midpoint of the sternum, was measured using a dual laser infrared thermometer. These measurements were repeated at 24 ± 1 h of age and at 48 h of age. In addition, umbilical stump redness and swelling (indicators of infection) were evaluated visually at 24 and 48 h. All data were analyzed using mixed model methods. Models included the fixed effects of umbilical diameter at birth, sex (female or male), stall conditions and treatment. No treatment differences were noted between dips on change in diameter of the umbilical cord during the first 24 h (6.60 ± 0.057 mm at birth vs. 3.25 ± 0.072 mm at 24 h). There was no difference in umbilical cord stump surface temperature, redness or swelling at 24 h or 48 h. Stall conditions at birth did not affect the change in umbilical diameter, surface temperature of the umbilical stump, or visual indications of infection. In conclusion, there was no benefit observed when applying an antiseptic treatment on piglet umbilical cords to improve healing or reduce the incidence of infections during the first 48 h of life.