Having My First BOY... What to Expect?

My son is 18 months and we did not circumcise and I'm glad we did not. I would rethink that.
My best advice is when changing your sons diaper - always point his unit down. If you have it pointed up or to the side you have a good chance that he will leak right out of his diaper.
Good luck and enjoy!

Well, I only had a boy 6 months ago so I can't be too much help, but I did want to weigh in on the circumcision issue. We chose to do it, and I have no regrets!, but it was harder that I thought it would be! If you're not sure if you want to, do some reading on it...there's a lot! Our biggest thing was the cleaning issue and we wanted our boy to "look like Daddy". If you choose to do it, they usually do it they day after delivery. I will say though, that surprisingly I was a bit more nervous and wary when it came right down to it...it's kind of nerve wracking and painful to send your child off to have a part of his body cut off! It healed very well though and there was no issue with pain afterwards. Make sure your doctor will give him anaesthic before he does the procedure, some do not, and that was not okay with me! As far as the pee issue, we covered him up with a washcloth every time we changed him and it helped a lot! We saved our selves quite a few accidents that way and all we had to do was wash the cloth, not us, the walls, the sheets, etc.! ;) THat issue really goes away for the most part after a few months though.

Anyway, hope that helps a little! So far, boys are really fun too and his sister loves him so much, just as I'm sure you're girls will too! Congratulations and good luck!

They will teach you how to care for the circumcision at the hospital. I do not recall any obvious pain when peeing or anything like that. Diaper clean up is actually easier I think with a boy because everything is external and you are not worrying as much about infecting the inside, also less crevices for stuff to hide in.

What I do remember and know today...there is something about little boys and their moms. They take hold of your heart and love their mommy's like nothing else. Of course all my kids have done that (I have 2 of each) but my boys are definitely momma's boys!

Enjoy, they are all blessings!

I too just recently had my first boy (he'll be 5 months Friday) after having two girls and I was concerned as well. I found out, it's not all that much different after all. :)
After the circumcision he didn't seem to be in pain at all, I think I was worried about it and was super gentle of course. :) Cleaning the "area" is a little different after the circumcision heals you have to pull back the skin and make sure you get the "nooks and crannies" but as far as rashes go, we haven't seen anything different so far, actually my little man hasn't had many rashes where as I remember my girls had more at this point. As far as diapers go, be prepared for pee filled fronts and not much going on in the back :) As far as peeing goes, my little man had a lot of peeing going on in the beginning, I would just work quickly and also hold the diaper over him until I was ready to switch the diapers, I didn't leave him exposed to the cold air, but it's going to happen, you will get peed on :) Now it's like he has more control and so I have a little more time to get him changed.
A lot of people said to me that the bond between a mother and son was different than with mothers and daughters and at first I was like NO WAY that can't be possible, but it is...it's not to say that I don't love my girls w/ all of my heart, of course I do, but the bond is definitely different.
Best of luck and enjoy them all, they grow so quickly as I am sure you know!

The hospital will take care of the circumcision and give you instructions on how to care for him. I used gauze and vaseline for both of my boys and never had any problems. Yes, definitely use caution when changing diapers so that the "hose" doesn't get you:) Boys are awesome. Daughters are great don't get me wrong, but personally, I think boys are easier in that there is less drama and they are just simpler--no frills, no hormonal attitude, no tampons (LOL). I know me personally, I'm much more protective of my sons than I was with my daughter; it's just a different relationship. Boys just adore their mamas too whereas girls usually prefer daddy. The mother/son relationship is great. Yes, boys have lots of energy, don't always listen, get dirty, and pee on the walls, but it's well worth it:)

Congratulations and enjoy your son:)

M.

Congratulations on your boy! I, too, love my son. I think you've gotten some good advice from the wonderful and wise mamas here on mamapedia. My son is not circumcised, so I cannot weigh in on that. He was two when I adopted him. He is now 11 and we had a discussion the other night and he said no one even notices that he's not circumcised (he plays traveling sports and regularly has to change in front of other guys.)

It is sad that you don't have the variety of clothes, but then again, my son is constantly wearing out his favorites. Shoes have been the challenge. You won't need to worry about this for a little bit. But for my son, it has been an issue since he was brought home.

In general, boys are more active than girls, but remember each child has his/her own personality and cannot be stereotyped, because they'll shock you with something. With that said, my son is all boy and always has been, but he loves musical theatre and when he was little would dress up (in my high heels and his grandma's Doc Martens- "boots, mama"), he still prefers baths with bubbles over a shower. Sooooo, enjoy your boy as you have your girls. Motherhood, is certainly a crazy ride!
S.

H.,
Congratulations! My third child was also my first boy. As I thought I had the "mommy thing" down after two, I did have a few surprises with my son. The first diaper change after his circumcision was difficult. I think we both shed some tears with that one. Don't be embarassed to ask the nurses for help. That's why they are there and they completely understand. While it's obviously much easier for the boys to pee on whomever is changing their diaper, I'm happy to say that my son has only "gotten" me once and he was close to a year old when it happened. I think each child is different in that respect but your reflexes/response time will likely become faster :-). My son (nor did my girls) have any rashes as a baby. I suppose I was fortunate in that respect but I've found that the pattern was the same for all of my children in this regard. The biggest difference I've noticed is that my girls (16 and almost 6)are definitely "Daddy's girls" and my son is a "Mama's boy." He's almost four and he absolutely adores me. He's my biggest fan and my protector. The best way I can sum up my relationship with my son is that he asks me on a weekly basis "if I'm still married to Daddy because he's going to marry me when he grows up." My translation of his almost four year old understanding is that he plans to marry someone like his Mama when he grows up. I think he's the smartest almost four year old I know! LOL. I've found that my son is more active and he loves the physical contact but he also enjoys quiet time; he's all boy but in my experience the biggest difference has been the emotional attachment that boys have to their mothers. I'm told this typically lasts until they are about five. So I've got at least another year to enjoy my baby before he's too grown up for Mama's kisses. Enjoy your babies because nothing else quite compares to the awesome privilege of motherhood.

Well, we didn't circumsize our son so I can't help with that. (We did do a ton of research before deciding not to....... My husband IS but son is NOT.)

HOWEVER, with our daughter, I 'd just squeeze the front of the diaper to check if she needed a change. DON"T DO IT FOR A BOY!!! I did it when he was a few days old and boy did he SCREAM! I must have sqeezed his thing! LOL. I felt pretty bad.

Our son never got any rash that was different from our daughter..... Just the normal diaper rash from time to time.

I never held his thing down WHILE changing his diaper but make sure you tuck it down before you close the diaper up! If you put the diaper on him with it sticking up, he will pee right out of the top of his diaper!

First off, Congratulations! Other than the first few days after the circumcision when he was a little sensitive, things in general were no different than having my daughter. I swear it wasn't until about 6 months ago, when he turned 5, that my little sweetie pie turned 'boy'. He's always been funny, but now he's fresh and loves to rough house. And when he gets mad he has a tendency to work out his frustrations by tearing stuff apart! Oh, that and it seems all little boys notice every trunk in town and start making engine noises when they are about 18 months old.

I have 3 boys, and a baby girl. The circumcision shouldn't bother him at all. Just keep it clean as you would the rest of his body, it will heel up quickly.

Yes they will pee on you every chance they get. However, my little girl peed straight like a boy at first, so maybe it's a baby thing, not a boy thing :)

There boy parts aren't as sensitive as little girls. None of my boys had UTI's or anything, just an occasional diaper rash on their bottoms.

The main difference I've noticed between the boys and my girl is the energy level. The girl is so laid back and content. Doesn't fuss a lot, she's just pleasant. The boys were (and still are) all over the place! They never run out of energy. They tare up everything. They crash their toys together, throw them, take them apart. My girl is only 9mo, so I don't know if she'll be equally as destructive, but going by her current demeanor, I'm guessing not.

Boys can be super sweet too. Every time they go out to play they pick me flowers (their really weeds, but I love it all the same), give me lots of kisses and hugs.

I've been told that boys are a handful when they're small, and are a lot easier when they're older. Girls are wonderful when they're small, but are a mess when they're older. We'll see!

After having 3 girls, we finally "got our boy" (as everyone likes to say) 4 months ago! He was a total surprise...we didn't know beforehand & I had NO gut feeling either way.
Mine is still very young, so the only thing I have to offer is about the circ. Watch for adhesions. I was clueless (never even changed a boy until I got him, lol). One night I was changing him (he was about 1 month old) and I pulled the skin back to clean him & it started bleeding! I was mortified! Come to find out, it was a small adhesion that I had ripped. I was convinced I had "ruined" him for life, lol!

Boys rock!
(That said, I have been pee'd on a time or two--it's the cold air--keep a blanket or cloth diaper near the changing table & keep the "little guy" covered during changes!)
Otherwise, prepare yourself for absolutely the sweetest experience of your life! :-)
Congrats!

boys are a hoot! I never understood that Mom/son connection thing before I had mine, but wow, is it real!

don't worry about the circumcision - the hospital will show you what to do.. it's easy - put some goo on some gauze, wrap it around him and then diaper as usual. It heals pretty fast.

keep a spare cloth diaper around to cover him while you are changing him. or he will pee on himself most likely.. my son hit himself in the face a few times. eww.. a lot of boys will pee just because of "being free".. I think it's the feeling of cold actually that makes them go. Rashes are about the same.

You will figure it out - it's a learn as you go process anyway when you become a mom!!

Boys rule!! I always knew I wanted my firstborn to be a boy and God granted me one. I'm such a tomboy myself , sure I can get all dressed up and frilly and all that girly stuff but I'm a tomboy at heart.
I'm at my best in jeans and a t-shirt. :)
Oh girl, you will have so much fun with your little guy. Right now my son has me watching wrestling with him, and I LOVE IT. Nothing like mom & son hootin' and hollerin' watching Wrestlemania. LOL ( he's 7 ) Even dear ole dad dosen't get that.
As with the the "holding it down" during diaper changes, yes I did that too. I got 'shot at' a couple times still :)
You'll see, having a boy is awesome!

i have 2 boys one 16 and one 2 i think its easier raising boys. there lil guy is sore afterwards but nothing major,as to rashes i never had a promblem with them but it is different having boys then girls i know from my friends having girls good luck

Argh! The dreaded circumcision. Let's just say I think it hurt me more. We had our minds made up, I understand why circumcisions are done and was fine with it. Then the day came and I wanted to vomit handing him over. I cryed while he was gone so be prepared that your emotions may get the best of you. He did have some bleeding that needed to be corrected and at the time I was nervous, but all is well. Currently pregnant again and waiting for our little surprise I may have to go the roller coaster of emotion again. We'll soon find out.

As for the boy girl thing having worked w/kids they love to make their own meaning of normal. Go with the flow every kid is different I don't think gender matters that much w/ an infant. As for rashes and stuff most boys only get them towards the back and they are easier to see unlike poor little girls.
Good Luck
I was just looking at another response. I also couldn't change him after. I couldn't look. I called the nurses to change his diaper for the rest of the day. I have no shame they've seen everything. Thus that night the nurse picked up on the extra blood and got the Dr to clot it. Again a positive outcome for using my recources.

I love my boys!! After the circumcision you need to be gentle for obvious reasons. I've never held the "little guy" down during changes, just block with your hand, or learn to be quick! lol! I am having my 3rd child dont know the sex yet. And EVERYONE is assuming or wishing that we "need" a girl. But again, I love my boys, and wouldn't be the slightest bit disappointed with a 3rd. Maybe I'll email you if its a girl lol! Seriously, it's not a huge difference I'm sure. Every baby has different personalities and thats what makes them so unique. Enjoy, he'll may end up being a complete mama's boy, and the most spoiled :) Congrats!

I have to add my two cents. I have two boys, one 6 and one almost 2. They are rock and roll. All of the below comments are true especially the crayons, good thing they're not toxic (LOL). My first is a lover of blocks and building and the other loves every ball on the planet. I always kept toys generic (balls / art stuff / blocks / nature), but they both love cars! Boys have high energy and can play rough! However, it is true that what you do and how you act matters more than what you say. My 6 year old is very environmentally conscious, has a vast imagination, loves books and will take apart everything and I mean everything (LOL). If you love your knicknacks, watch out, there will be no respect for those for at least 6 years. If it can be thrown, it will be thrown. If it can be eaten, it will be eaten. If if can be ruined, it will be ruined. That said, they are the absolute joy of my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. Do I want a girl? I think my boys are just enough for me! YOU WILL have any absolute blast!!! Good luck!

The circumcision looks painful for sure. My boy often cried a little when he peed and then stopped after a few seconds. Its hard to say the level of pain. He had lots of "erections" and when he healed they seemed to go away. For care of: lots of Vaseline to keep it moist and a small amount of gauze wrapped around his "little guy" is all that was needed. I think it was about 2 weeks of this and then let it heal naturally. You will have lots of suggestions from your Doc and Nurses. I called the Nursery several times after discharge to speak to the Nurses. It was very helpful. Point the "little guy" down in his diaper so it doesn't leak out the top or sides of diaper. Folding the diaper down in the front and back makes an extra barrier too. No one told me that ...figured it out and it works great! When the diaper is off, anything goes. We put a cloth or paper towel over his lil guy in case he peed while changing him. Good luck. You will fall in love all over again.

As the mother of two boys, my biggest piece of advice is to just keep a folded washcloth RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR HAND during diaper changes. That way, when he starts to unexpectedly pee on you (which he will), you can throw the washcloth over him. I actually used to lay the washcloth on his tummy, so I could just slide it down. Saved many an outfit for me... Good luck and congratulations! Little boys are AWESOME! : )