My baby is 2 weeks and 2 days old, and her umbilical cord is yet to fall off

[Guest]

Good morning Doctors. My baby is 2 weeks and 2 days old, and her umbilical cord is yet to fall off although it’s getting dry already and looks like it would fall off soon. I have restricted my mum from using anything else other than chlorexidine gel and mojo spirit to clean it and also ensure the diaper is always worn underneath it, but since it’s taking long to fall off she has decided to start heating it with hot water and cover it with diaper.

Please advise. Is this appropriate and can you point me to where I can read up on caring for the umbilical cord and even when it falls off.

• BW- 3.2kg
• CW- 3.8kg

[Ismail]

Some babies have delayed cord separation and may take more than 2 weeks so long as there is no pus or any form of infection. There’s no need to panic. Just ensure the cord is kept dry and continue to clean with the methylated spirit. How to care about the navel;

Use either gel or methylated spirit. Not the two together.