Medical surgery at any age is a point of concern for a patient as well as his caretakers. And none could raise more concerns than surgery, which is to be performed on a newborn baby. So it is natural if you may be a little nervous about caring for your baby’s penis – especially after it’s been through circumcision. Contextually speaking, circumcision itself is not a very complicated surgery; it’s a simple procedure in which the foreskin covering the head (glans) of the penis is removed. But it is important to mention, that there are a few simple steps you can follow at home to make sure your son is left happy and healthy, post-procedure.
Keep in mind, whether the circumcision is done by a doctor or a Mohel, it is still a minor medical surgery, and thus it requires proper care to reduce the chances of any complications greatly. More importantly, experts at Circumcision Center recommend following the post-surgery follow-up care guide provided by your Mohel or a doctor. And fret not, newly frazzled parents–the baby typically only takes a week to 10 days to heal.
Should You Apply Gauze?
The answer to this question isn’t set in stone. There is a divide in circumcision wisdom about whether or not to cover a baby’s newly-circumcised penis with any bandage or dressing. It seems that either way you choose, the child will heal just fine, but you can always ask for your doctor’s opinion. If given the green light to gauze, dab just a drop of petroleum jelly (too much can attract bacteria) onto the tip of the penis and gently wrap in gauze or a bandage. And if your doctor’s inclination is not to use a dressing, then you’ll be told to dab on a bit of petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment after every diaper change for the first day or so, just to keep your baby’s diaper from rubbing against his circumcised penis. More importantly, circumcision for newborns is fairly a simple procedure as compared to Adult Male Circumcision.
Keep It Clean?
This is the most important rule of newborn circumcision care: At every diaper change, gently wipe away any bits of poop that you may see in the area. Use a gentle, unscented soap and warm water – not a baby wipe. Allow the area to dry on its own to prevent irritation. And stick with sponge baths until your baby’s penis is healed and his umbilical cord drops off.
Things to Keep an Eye On:
There are many common symptoms that your baby may experience after being circumcised. Most of them are completely normal and should go away within the standard healing time. Some can be signs of something more serious, and if found, you should contact a doctor immediately. Keep a close watch on your baby during the days after circumcision to make sure he is healing properly.
- Normal Symptoms – It’s okay if the tip of your baby’s circumcised penis is a little red. Yellowish oozing is also perfectly normal; it just means that the body is sending healing fluids to the area. Even a tiny bit of blood on your newborn’s diaper is fine.
If your baby has any of the following symptoms, let your paediatrician know right away; they could mean infection or some other problem:
- Persistent bleeding from wound or drops of blood larger than a quarter found in diaper
- Fever
- Crusty fluid-filled sores
- Trouble urinating (ask your doctor or mohel how many wet diapers a day to expect)
- Redness and swelling that worsens after three days and remains after seven days