The short answer
Baby circumcision is usually done in the first weeks of life once the baby is healthy, feeding well and has had vitamin K at birth, and it should be done by a trained clinician with proper pain relief. Some babies must wait or should not be circumcised at all, most importantly a baby with hypospadias, because the foreskin may be needed to repair it. At home, keep the area clean, put petroleum jelly on it at each nappy change, and seek help at once for bleeding that will not stop or if he does not pass urine.
Book circumcision, from ₦56,000Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
When to do it
Many Nigerian families circumcise in the first days or weeks of life, often around the naming ceremony. There is no single medically required date. What matters more than the exact day is that the baby is well and that the person doing it is properly trained.
- He is feeding well and gaining weight
- He received the vitamin K injection after birth, which helps blood clot
- Any jaundice has been checked by a doctor
- He has been examined to make sure the penis is normal
Babies who should wait or not be circumcised
Ask a doctor to examine your son first, and delay circumcision if:
- The opening of the urine tube is not at the tip of the penis (hypospadias). The foreskin is often used to repair this later, so circumcision should not be done
- The penis looks small, buried in the fat pad, or webbed to the scrotum
- There is a family history of a bleeding disorder, or bleeding after injections
- He was born early, is unwell, or is still in a special care unit
Who should do it
Circumcision is surgery. Complications such as heavy bleeding, infection, removing too much or too little skin, and injury to the head of the penis are more likely when it is done by someone untrained, or with unclean instruments. Choose a doctor who does circumcisions regularly, uses local anaesthetic or a nerve block for pain, and gives you clear instructions and a number to call.
Aftercare at home
Healing usually takes about seven to ten days. If a plastic ring (Plastibell) was used, it usually falls off by itself within about one to two weeks; do not pull it.
- At every nappy change, put petroleum jelly on the tip or on the gauze so it does not stick
- Clean gently with warm water only; avoid wipes with alcohol or perfume for the first week
- Fasten the nappy a little loosely
- A yellowish film on the head after a day or two is normal healing, not pus. Do not scrub it off
- Give only the pain relief and dose your doctor advised; never adult medicine
- Do not apply herbs, powders, toothpaste or methylated spirit to the wound
Get help straight away if
Call the doctor or go to a hospital if your baby:
- Is bleeding more than a few spots, or bleeding returns after gentle pressure for ten minutes
- Has not passed urine within about 8 to 12 hours
- Has a fever, is not feeding, or is unusually sleepy
- Has redness or swelling spreading up the penis, or pus with a bad smell
- Still has the ring on after two weeks, or the ring has slipped down the shaft
What it costs on Mezo
Older child or adult, under local anaesthetic.
Common questions
Is it better to circumcise a baby or wait until he is older?
Circumcision in the newborn period is a smaller procedure and heals quickly. In older boys it is usually done under general anaesthetic. If there is any reason to wait, such as hypospadias or illness, a doctor will advise on timing.
My son's circumcision was done but too much foreskin remains. What now?
Have a paediatric surgeon or urologist examine him. Some cases need nothing, and others are revised later under anaesthetic.
The doctor said my baby has hypospadias. What happens?
Do not circumcise him. Hypospadias is usually repaired by a specialist surgeon, often between about six and eighteen months of age, and the foreskin may be used in the repair.
Can I book this from abroad for my newborn in Lagos?
Yes. You can book and pay online from anywhere, and a care coordinator arranges the appointment with the family at home.
The procedures
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Circumcision. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.