NOTE: If you have any questions about your son's circumcision, call any time night or day. These care instructions only apply to those using my services - each Mohel will have their own set of care instructions. Please read this entire care sheet. Immediately after the Brit feed and burp your son as usual.
- Your son may be a little irritable the first day. If he is, give acetaminophen 1.25ml (40mg) every 4 hours as needed.
- The best sleeping position is on his back.
- Have your son examined by myself or his physician within 7 days.
Day 1-5 following circumcision
Change his diaper with each bowel movement or if it has been 4 hours since the last change. With each diaper change:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Spread a generous amount of Vaseline (preferred over antibiotic ointment to avoid allergic response) onto the center of a sterile 3x3 or 4x4 inch cotton gauze square.
- Remove old diaper, clean any mess (except around penis), and place new diaper.
- Remove old gauze square by gently pulling up and out on each of its four corners.
- Place the new gauze with the Vaseline placed directly over the head of the penis. There is no need to wrap the penis in the gauze.
- Close diaper (and relax).
Note: Do not be surprised if the first couple of gauze squares are stained red with blood. This is normal and represents only a drop or two of dried blood mixed with urine. If in fact there was bleeding, the penis would be enveloped with small globs of blood (but this is very rare).
Days 5-7 after circumcision
With each diaper change:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Remove old diaper, clean any mess (except around penis), and place new diaper.
- Apply a very thin layer of Vaseline ointment over the surgical area (the penis of a newborn should no longer be sensitive the day following circumcision).
- Close diaper.
There is petrolatum gauze wrapped around your son's penis at the time of circumcision. This bandage usually falls off, on its own, during the first 24 hours. If it is still in place after 72 hours, bathe your son in a lukewarm bath or apply a very wet, warm washcloth for about 10 minutes to loosen the gauze. This should be sufficient so it can be unwrapped.
Infection is very rare
Common of signs of an infected circumcision include: a pus-like discharge from the wound, a foul smell from the groin area, excessive swelling or redness in the groin area, or a fever. With any of these signs call the Mohel or child's physician without delay. Bleeding is rare but is the most frequent complication of circumcision. Aside from direct complications, the most common concern of parents is related to aesthetics. It should be remembered that penises come in all shapes & sizes. While most penises 'look normal' within days of the circumcision, some do not take on a completely normal appearance until after the penis starts to grow (age 3 to 5 years). On occasion, a poor aesthetic result occurs when too little or too much skin is removed, or when the cut edge of the skin attaches too high or too low along the length of the penis. In nearly all cases the penis will heal properly and in time take on a normal appearance. Even though complications are rare, do not hesitate to consult the Mohel or child's physician if you have any questions about the appearance of the penis or surrounding area.
If you see blood flowing from the wound area, do the following:
- Apply steady pressure for 3 minutes by grabbing the penis between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger (you can do this directly or over the gauze).
- If you let up before 3 minutes, reapply pressure and start the 3 minute count over.
- Inspect the area for 2 minutes. If bleeding persists, repeat step one
- In all cases of fresh bleeding, call the mohel or child's physician at once for further instructions.
Healing is Rapid
A circumcision is like any other cut and every child heals differently - though most heal rapidly. For most babies, the penis should no longer be tender in a day, be essentially healed in a week, and take on a 'normal appearance' in about a month: The cut edge seals and bleeding ceases within minutes. Within hours, maybe a day, the area just behind the glans (especially the underside) will become swollen. This inflammation will subside within a week or two. In a day or two there are usually off-white or yellowish patches on the glans. These patches are a type of scab and are associated with normal healing. You will also notice that the glans is red and glossy. This is because the skin covering the glans of an uncircumcised penis is mucous membrane (like the skin on the inside of your cheek). Once exposed, the mucous membrane will transform and in time take on the normal appearance you expect.
