Need Advice on Caring for Baby Boy's Circumcision

Updated on August 10, 2008
M.L. asks from Spring Lake, MI
16 answers

Hi! We have a baby boy due soon, and have all girls at home. I wonder if any of you would share advice or helpful tips/facts on how to care for the baby's circumcision. I have heard of issues before, and do not know what to watch for. Once the circumcision is done, I want to help him be as comfortable as possible as it heals, but I also want to know what problems or issues to keep my eyes open for...I would really appreciate any advice~ Thank-you so much!

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So What Happened?

Thank-you so much to those of you who were supportive and helpful with my question on taking care of our soon-to-be son's circumcision! I got a lot of great advice, and wrote it all down! Even though they tell you how to care for it in the hospital, it's great to get additional advice from moms who have 'been there-done that.'I feel more prepared now. For my husband and I, (as christians) there's no question of weather or not to have it done, so I am just thankful that all the little guy's who do have it done do not remember it (along with all the other shots and etc. they get : - ( Thanks again, and God bless each of you!

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S.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Once it has healed, keep pulling it back at least once a day for the first year. For my oldest, I thought we were all done with it after a couple months, but at 9 months the doctor had to separate a little bit of skin that started to reattach. It was awful! He said to keep doing it for at least 12 months, sometimes longer depending on the child.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Lansing on

Joy~

They will go over everything at the hospital, and ask them for extra 4by4's to put over the area. I was nervous too and it all worked out, it does not last that long anyways.

S.

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

Joy-
I can't truthfully remember much about my sons circumstances, except for this shortly after I left the hospital I was reading about Abraham and his covenant with God resulting in the first circumcision. It talks of future generations waiting 8 days after the birth of the child, significant? YES! I think so!
I wish that I had contacted a rabbi to do the circumcision! All I can remember was it was quite bloody & sore for some time.
Good luck & God bless you & yours!
Oh, and FYI I am not Jewish- but I do know that God led me to that passage of scripture at the precise time I was asking Him questions!
The ROCK in which I am building my house is Jesus Christ God's one and only Son!
L.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.N.

answers from Benton Harbor on

Just keep him greased up with vaseline every time you change him. You can VERY gently make sure you get all of the poo/pee that may get around the circ but don't pull with any force. If it re-attaches itself a little bit, don't pull it, wait for the doc. This has happened to all of my boys and by the time they are 4 or 5, *nature* has fixed the problem.

Enjoy your bundle of boy! Oh, and don't pay any attention to the moms who will look down their noses at you and tell you not to circ, it's your call, you are the parents!!!

~L.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Detroit on

Joy,
Just a thought.... When I first found out that I was having a boy I asked my midwife where I should go to have his circumcision done because they do not perform them at my birth center. She looked at me and asked me a question that changed everything: "Are you circumcising because of a religious view or an emotional view?" I researched circumcisions heavily (my husband is circumcised). Both my husband and I came to the conclusion that it is an unnecessary procedure that is not even performed in Europe anymore. The United States is the only country that still circumcises on an elective basis. I urge you to do research too and not go into it blindly. I am extremely happy with my decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued the statement that they don't believe it is a necessary procedure, but if parents want to do so they can. In England, the Pediatrics Association made the statement that it is completely unnecessary. The British population is only 1-2% circumcised since that release over 40 years ago. I speak from great experience, as I am qualified to perform circumcisions and have done well over 100 of them. It always bothered me to do them, and I always felt terrible for the baby as I believe the pain is excruciating. Just a thought...good luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful

F.W.

answers from Detroit on

Hey My Sister,

I have two sons, and both were circumsized before leaving the hospital. I just made sure that I didn't let the surgical area get dried out. I think that would be very uncomforatble for the little soilder. Keep that cream, whatever it's called, its been a long time. My youngest will be 9 years old in December. But, whatever the doctor prescribes, please be sure to keep it on there for moisture. I believe the ring will fall off on it's own as it heels.

When you hold your son for the first time in the hospital, pray God's annointing and protection over him, then every thing else will be in God's Divine Order!!

Be Blessed my Sister!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

Just realize it isn't a mandatory procedure. I have 3 sons, and not one of them is circumcized. There are pros and cons on the subject, really. But the basis for it is scriptural.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.B.

answers from Detroit on

Congradulations on your upcoming arrival. I just had a little boy myself and was unsure how to care for him once he was circumcised. You will be glad to hear that it was extreamly easy. The hospital should give you extra a&d ointment, what you do is you put the ointment over the top and then a small gause pad over that to prevent it from getting scratched from the diaper. It takes about 5 days to completely heal. Make sure to read the paper work you get from the hospital as a back up for you. Rest assure it won't be that bad trust me.

Best of luck!
P.

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S.C.

answers from Lansing on

Hi! I had a little boy in 2005. The nurses will give you instructions on how to care for him before you go home. Basically, you just keep vaseline on it and then stick a gauze pad over it for a couple of days. Then, just vaseline so it won't stick to the diaper! You'll know if something is wrong. If it seeps, turns bright red, etc., you'll know to take him to the doctor! Don't worry! It will be fine! Best of luck with your new addition!

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D.L.

answers from Lansing on

I was so scared of the circumcisiom! The best thing I can tell you is to go to Babies R US or Walmart and get the baby petroleum jully that is in a toob. You can never put to much on! I put more on than the doctor told me to. I didn't want it to stick to anything.

About me:
I'm a say -at- home mother of two children, a daughter and son.

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L.F.

answers from Detroit on

Hi, I don't have any boys but my sister had a boy about three months ago. She thought she was doing a great job taking care of it but did't realize how far down she had to pull the skin and when she took him to the doctor they had to kind of scrape the gunk off and it was soar for a few days. When the skin is pulled down all the way you should see the whole head. Ihope this helps, L..

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A.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

As a mom of three teen boys, I still remember how scary the circumcision thing was. One of the most important things is to make sure every day to gently pull down the skin closest to the circumcision - it's possible for it to adhere and that will cause a lot of pain down the road. It's also a good idea to use a little neosporin initially, and to use vaseline where the skin is pulled down to help it stop from adhering. Good Luck.

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C.H.

answers from Detroit on

Hi Joy, I have two boys and both are circumcised. I kept the area lubricated with vaseline or aquaphor and covered it with sterile gauge strips. Vaseline works fine. They may give you some type of vaseline type cream at the hospital. His urine will irritate the area until healing begans that's why vaseline is so important.

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J.H.

answers from Saginaw on

I wouldnt let yourself worry about it too much. i was really worried about it also but it was very easy to take care of. you just keep the sab or vaseline or whatever they tell you on it so it doesn't stick to the diaper when you take it off. you usually only have to do this for a few days. Also the indications that you would want to get it checked out is if it's really really red or puss coming out of it but they will explain exactly how to take care of it before you leave the hospital.

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F.T.

answers from Detroit on

Hi Joy,
We simply kept it moist w/ A&D ointment, Vaseline or Neosporin & wrapped it with 1 layer of gauze (days 1 &2). It only irritates them when they pee, so we were quick about diaper changes and didn't use wipes on there for the first few days. We just soaked and wrung out a paper towel over the area and let the water run over it. After the 3rd or 4th day it was healed and he was fine. Watch for bleeding though, b/c if this incision is done improperly or gets infected, that's a sure sign. After the circumcision, they recommended Infant Tylenol drops if he didn't calm down within a few hours, which he did. The nurse should give you instructions too. Hope this helps.
God bless,
F.

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A.F.

answers from Detroit on

I have two boys and there really isn't to much to it. The only thing is after the circumcision you put vasoline around the tip of the peep so the wound doesn't stick to the diaper. You do this until it heals and the nurses will show you how. Usually they even give you a tube of vasoline because it is easier to squeeze it out in a circle around the tip. It isn't very hard and it really doesn't bother them too much. Good luck and have fun.

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