As this is a custom based on tradition I'm not keen on just 'winging it' based on conjecture and common sense.

If anyone has any firm idea of what's actually involved in keeping a heso no o (へその緒) I'd be very grateful for some facts.

I'm already hard at work researching okuizome (お食い初め)
http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...-8&sa=N&tab=wi
And much relieved to discover that there is a legitimate way to celebrate the new arrival with friends and family that doesn't include rituals involving oil and water.

I'm also drawing on my Mediterranean heritage in order to become a formidable mother. My role model is the story (from the 70s) of the inspirational Okaasan who stormed into her newly employed son's company headquarters and took her protest up to to the top brass. She was aghast and furious to learn that her progeny would be forced into the barbarian practice of cleaning his own backside as the company lacked washlets.