CARING FOR YOUR SON AFTER HIS CIRCUMCISION

Although the circumcision is a relatively quick procedure, babies do need a little more care and attention to ensure a proper recovery.

 

I will guide you in the best care methods in person but here are some pointers you can refer to:

 

• Be Vigilant - As with after any medical procedure one needs lots of rest and TLC. during the first 24 hours after the circumcision pay special attention to the wound during each diaper change.

 

• Call if you are worried - Specifically, take care to notice if there is any active bleeding or oozing. In the rare event that you have any concerns about excessive bleeding or infection (very unlikely), call me or your pediatrician promptly. It is always preferable to err on the side of caution!

 

• Keep your house calm - For the first three days after circumcision, try to keep your home environment as calm as you can and minimize visitors. Your son will probably need to sleep a bit more than usual and keeping things quiet at home will assist him in getting the rest he needs. It is important that you the mom needs to also get as much rest as possible due to being after birth.

How to Help a Wound Heal - My Three Golden Rules

 

There are three rules of thumb for enabling a wound to heal:

 

1. Keep the area clean

Keeping the area clean means doing everything possible to impede the development of Bacteria. This can be achieved by replacing the gauze and cream 3 to 5 times a day. I will demonstrate how to do this when I am at your home.

 

2. Water

Water is a tremendous aid for the healing of most wounds. I therefore encourage parents to give their baby a daily bath 48 hours after circumcision, and on each subsequent day until the wound is healed.

 

3. Air

Fresh air empowers the skin to heal to its maximum capacity. I therefore encourage parents to allow the wound to air dry for about 15 minutes after the daily bath.

Also note:

 

• Part of the area of the circumcision is an open wound so take care to keep it as clean as possible (urine is fine) and free from foreign dirt.

 

• Wash your hands before you change the baby.

 

• You may spread a circle of Neosporin or Ointment that I will supply you with around the area of the wound during every second or third diaper change to help ward off infection.

 

• When the baby urinates he may wash out the bandage and it is common to find a little orange or light red in the diaper. Do not be alarmed if you observe this, it is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about!

 

Day Two & Beyond

 

• Once the dressing is removed, or if it falls off by itself, continue applying the ointment for another 48 hours.

 

• Take care not to touch the circumcised area itself.

 

• A few days after circumcision, it is normal for a few white spots or a white crust to appear around the incision. This should NOT be mistaken for an infection. The spots will become hard and will fall off by themselves. Do not pick at them.

 

• Bath your baby daily from 48 hours after the circumcision. Prior to that, he may be given a sponge bath.

 

 

Keeping Your Son Comfortable

 

• Your son baby may be a little more irritable than usual during the first 12-24 hours following the circumcision. Try to keep him tightly swaddled if he accepts it, as this can make him calmer.

 

• While feeding, keep the baby in a flat position and try not to fold his legs, even to burp. Ideally, burp him on your shoulder or in a comfortable arm position.

 

• If your baby is irritable check with our pediatrician. They may recommend a 1.5ml dose of Tylenol to help him relax and rest.