Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. It is usually performed by the obstetrician in the first couple days of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that there may be potential benefits as well as risks to circumcision. You may discuss this procedure with your doctor and your baby’s doctor before birth. In the hospital, you will be asked to sign a consent form if you wish to have your baby boy circumcised.

After circumcision, the tip of your baby’s penis will appear red and raw and it will be wrapped in petroleum covered gauze. Healing usually takes 7-10 days. During this period, it is normal for the penis to have a slight yellow coating around the tip. You may apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the penis to keep the diaper from sticking to it.

Call your doctor if there is persistent bleeding (more than a spot or two on the diaper), if your son does not urinate within 4-6 hours after the circumcision, or if the redness around the tip of the penis appears worse after 3-5 days.

If your baby is not circumcised, no special care of the penis is necessary. The foreskin will not normally retract fully for several years, and you should not force it to retract. As your son grows older, he can be taught to retract the foreskin and rinse the area beneath the foreskin with water as he bathes.