Suggest Ways To Reduce Irritation Of Umbilical Cord Stump In Infant

Posted on Wed, 31 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello - my son is 5 days old. The umbilical cord stump and the clip is still with him, and he is tending to touch it a lot. also, it is irritating him while i carry him over my shoulder.

The doctor has advised metrogyl-P. i have a few questions around it:

1- can i use the ointment twice a day? or should i only use it once.
2- can i use coconut oil? if so, what is the recommended use
3- is there anything else i can do to have the stump fall off sooner. just trying to find ways so he is more comfortable.

thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Kaushik K Murthy (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Twice a day application is fine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us.

Yes, you can apply ointment prescribed by your doctor twice a day.
No, you cannot use coconut oil.
The stump will fall on its own in 7 to 10 days, do not intervene in any way, let it take its own natural course.

Hope I have cleared your query.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari