If you are considering circumcision for your newborn son, you have no doubt done research on the procedure itself, in addition to asking friends or family their views on the subject. Many parents become concerned and anxious that caring for an uncircumcised penis will be difficult, requiring special care and attention. This is not true, but it is important to know how to care for the circumcised penis during infancy just like you would care for a circumcised penis. In addition, you should be prepared to teach your child proper genital hygiene once he becomes old enough to clean himself.

Cleaning a circumcised penis does not require any specialized bath soaps, products, or even tools (such as cotton swabs) - simple soap and water is enough to clean the area. Because the foreskin of your child’s penis remains intact, it is extremely important to clean the area underneath the foreskin, where dirt and bacteria can easily hide. However, when your child is an infant, you must never force the foreskin back from the shaft- instead, you must gently push back the area until you meet resistance, and rise off the head of the penis with warm water, making sure to clean the underside of the foreskin as well. It is important to always rinse off the smegma that might have gathered under the foreskin- these are merely dead oily skin cells that no longer serve any purpose. When you are done cleaning the area, gently massage the foreskin down so that it goes back to its original position over the head of the penis.

Usually by the age of five, the foreskin of the penis becomes retractable and can be easily lifted and pulled away from the head of the penis. This is usually the age at which the uncircumcised boy is old enough to learn how to properly clean his penis, and you should be able to effectively teach him the importance of proper genital hygiene, which includes washing the area regularly. He should understand that caring for his penis is no different than brushing his teeth or washing his face. Some parents feel most comfortable with the father (or other male family member, such as an older brother) being delegated to this role of teacher, especially if the father is also uncircumcised. You should initially demonstrate the proper way to pull back the foreskin, rinse the area with soap and water, and finally pull the foreskin back over the top of the penis. Explain to your child that the foreskin must be completely dried off before pulling it back over the head, as trapped moisture can lead to bacteria infection. Afterwards, your child should attempt to take over this responsibility, and the process will become easy and natural quite quickly.

You will most likely find that caring for your child’s intact penis is no different than practicing good oral hygiene yourself. Just be sure to give special attention to the foreskin while he is younger, waiting until it naturally becomes retractable before pulling it up to reveal the head of the penis. Once you are aware of that fact, you will have no trouble teaching your boy the importance of cleanliness.

Choosing to circumcise or not circumcise a child can be very difficult for parents, and it is best to become educated about the procedure and its benefits (as well as drawbacks) as much as possible before making any decision. One of the things that parents will most likely consider is how easy it is to practice good hygiene on a circumcised penis versus an uncircumcised one. Parents want the best for their children, and that includes taking advantage of every opportunity that could help ensure good health for the duration of their life.

If you do decide to circumcise your son at birth, you will find that the most high maintenance aspect of caring for the penis occurs during the first few weeks after the procedure. During this time, you must be fully responsible for caring for the penis, which includes observing the wound for signs of infection or improper healing. In addition, the dressing must be changed, the area must be gently cleaned, and petroleum jelly and/or ointment must be applied- at minimum.

However, as your child gets older, it is important that he is educated on the importance of good hygiene habits, which includes caring for the genital area. The first part of the process involves you showing him how to properly care for his penis, and later, helping him adapt to the responsibility of cleaning the area himself. It is important to start this process at a young age so that your child will feel comfortable with his knowledge of how to clean his penis, as many boys become embarrassed to ask such personal questions when they reach puberty. Many parents feel most comfortable with the father handling this aspect of childrearing, and may even present an opportunity for bonding between father and son. Many children are taught how to properly clean their genital areas by being told to “wash like daddy”.

Although people think that specialized bathing products are necessary to maintain proper genital hygiene, there is actually no special care required- simply cleaning the area with warm, soapy water will be sufficient. The same is true for various tools and instruments (such as cotton swabs) - using a washcloth or just soaping up your hands is all that is required. Some men find that excessively washing with soap (or other bath products) can lead to soreness of the penis and surrounding area, but using warm water is usually enough to effectively clean the penis.

When proper hygiene is maintained, a variety of health conditions can be avoided in both men and their sexual partners. By teaching your child to clean himself properly, you are helping to ensure his health and vitality.

You are most likely no different from other new parents when it comes to thinking about circumcision- you’d rather not. However, if you do decide to circumcise your newborn, you will need to know how to help facilitate the healing process and be prepared for any special requirements that are involved in caring for a circumcised child, especially when it comes to hygiene. The majority of this care will be when your child is very young- most likely the first few days of his life.

After the procedure is performed, the physician or nurse will wrap the area in a petroleum jelly gauze dressing, which will need to be replaced every time you change your child’s diaper- at least for the first 24 hours. It is most important to keep the circumcised area as clean as possible, even while it is going through the healing process. This can be done by gently cleaning the area warm, soapy water and wiping with a cotton ball- at least twice a day. (It is important to point out that diaper wipes should not be used to clean this area, as they can be too harsh for the fresh wound.) For the next three to five days, petroleum jelly should be used directly on the penis to help minimize any discomfort that might be felt from friction between the penis and the diaper, in addition to making sure the wound does not stick to the diaper surface- fresh coats can be applied at every diaper change. Depending on the preference of your physician, he or she may recommend using a layer of antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) on the wound, especially if they are concerned about safeguarding the area from infection. You should watch the wounded area closely during the healing process to make sure that skin bridges do not form- this can happen when the remaining foreskin on the penis begins to grow over the head of the penis. It is always best to contact your physician if this occurs instead of attempting to tear apart this fusion yourself.

During the first few days, a soft scab will form over the wounded area, which will stay anywhere between 7 to 10 days. At this time, the scab will simply fall off, which indicates the infant’s penis has completed the healing stage. From this point on, there is no need for specialized care of the area other than normal cleansing, although the area may appear unhealthy initially. It is not uncommon for the head of the penis to look swollen, inflamed, or red, or to find traces of blood or yellow discharge present during diaper changes. However, at your infant’s first checkup after his birth, your doctor will inspect the penis and will give any necessary information about specialized care at that time, if applicable.

Although complications from circumcision are rare, there are a few that you should be aware of. You should contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following: a significant amount of blood coming from the wound, increasing redness or swelling, the head of the penis becomes discolored (blue or black), fever, mucus-filled blisters develop, or if your child is still not urinating normally 12 hours after the procedure is completed.

When your son becomes old enough to clean himself on his own, he should be educated on the importance of keeping good genital hygiene. Most parents feel most comfortable with the father (or another male family member) being responsible to teach the child this information.

The topic of circumcision makes many people uneasy- some see it as cruel and barbaric, others see it as a necessary part of childbirth. Regardless, many parents are concerned with the trauma inflicted upon their newborn if they decide to have him circumcised, which is a valid concern. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pain control is used during circumcision, you should still talk with your physician before the birth about his views on pain therapy if you are considering the procedure.

Recent studies have revealed that newborns do in fact feel pain and could even experience severe psychological stress during circumcision- in fact, crying, heart rate, and blood pressure, all indicators of stress, increase dramatically during the procedure. Until recently, anesthesia wasn’t universal, so many physicians rely on a variety of options for pain relief for newborns during circumcision, and it is up to the doctor’s personal preference and/or the newborn’s vitals to determine which pain treatment will be used.

One option is a topical cream (EMLA or Tetracaine) that can be gently massaged onto the penis and surrounding area before the procedure, numbing the area within a half hour. Another option is an injection of lidocaine, another numbing agent, directly underneath the foreskin and into the head of the penis. This is also known as a dorsal nerve block, and is most common used during circumcision procedures. This option takes considerably less time to reach its full effect and usually lasts longer than a topical numbing agent. The physician may choose to give the child a surgery solution of gluclose or sucrose in the form of a pacifier to suck on during the surgery- the sugar will trigger endorphin release, which is a natural painkiller. Or, he might be given a small dosage of acetaminophen directly into his mouth using a medicine dropper. Some physicians even play music during the procedure and/or have the newborn suck on the gloved finger of a nurse to provide a calming effect.

One advantage to performing circumcision so soon after childbirth is that the newborn already has already generated elevated levels of stress-resistant hormones from the trauma of the birthing process itself. During this time, a newborn has the ability to heal quickly, and persevere and thrive under trauma- the newborn is amazingly resilient. By using any of these safe pain management methods, your infant’s ability to feel pain during his circumcision will be greatly reduced, and pain relief options will be used after the procedure to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible.

When you are making the decision to circumcise your newborn, the last thing you can imagine is the future sex life he may have in as little as 18 years. However, this is something to take into consideration, as some people feel strongly about the social benefits of the procedure, especially when it comes to the appearance of the penis. You may find that your own preference interferes or influences your final decision, and you are not alone in that trend. For example, a father might want their son’s penis to look like his, just as the father’s penis looks like his own father’s, and so on. Another thing that parents fear is that by choosing not to have their child circumcised, he will be ridiculed later in life- especially in places like the high school locker room, or during intimate relations with his girlfriend. Overall, there is a strong desire and pressure to conform to society’s expectations and for a child’s penis to “match” others.

As a society, it is an acknowledged fact that women (and men) find a circumcised penis is more attractive. In fact, circumcised men purportedly receive more fellatio, which makes sense given our societal preference. When asked, some women have elaborated even further, stating that a circumcised penis is “cleaner”, “sexier”, “nicer to the touch”, and “smells better”. This preference is most apparent in nude visual arts (or erotic material), where circumcised men are almost exclusively used to increase visual appeal. The same can also be said of feature films that contain nude scenes- they also use circumcised males much more than uncircumcised men.

The men that choose to undergo elective circumcision later in life usually do so strictly because of social reasons. They might find their intact foreskin unattractive which in turn decreases their sexual confidence, or their partner may be pressuring them to undergo the procedure because of their own personal preference or sexual needs. Because circumcision of an adult man can be more costly and painful than done as a newborn, it is important to take the time to research the procedure and talk at length with your physician about the side effects and complications before undergoing surgery.

Although there have been numerous studies tracking the difference between sex lives of circumcised and intact men, the results have all been anecdotal. Some studies have found that circumcised men experience less sexual dysfunction, and are able to maintain an erection much easier in the later years of their life versus uncircumcised men. It has also been claimed that circumcised males perform better sexually, but there are just as many opposing claims.

Regardless, social reasons are a major factor in deciding whether or not to circumcise your child, and should not be discounted.

Circumcision has been around for hundreds of years, but the reasons parents decide to have their child circumcised can be for a variety of reasons- cultural, religious, personal preference, as well as health benefits. However, it is the medically relevant issue that inspires so much controversy in regards to circumcision. If you are considering having your newborn child circumcised, you have probably spoken to your obstetrician to get his or her opinion on the benefits of the procedure. Because circumcisions have been classified as not medically necessary, they are not considered a routine part of the birthing experience. However, health practitioners do agree that there are health benefits that coincide with being circumcised. Therefore, it is up to the parents to elect the procedure on behalf of their newborn.

The two main health advantages that come with circumcision are a lower risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and less vulnerability to acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Studies have shown that uncircumcised males have the potential to suffer from an increased number of UTIs, especially in the first year of their life. However, UTIs are generally not a common problem in males, so this benefit may not be overly significant. Although some parents may not choose to circumcise their child at birth, he may have a malformed urinary tract that will require circumcision when he is older. The other main benefit of circumcision of males is a decrease in contracting STDs, including HIV/AIDS. However, it is important to point out that circumcision in men after the age of 20 do not gain this benefit of the procedure. Having a circumcised penis does guarantee your child will get an STD or contract HIV, and it is important to still teach your circumcised child the importance of practicing safe sex.

There are other medical benefits to circumcision, but their importance is not universally agreed upon. One such benefit include protection from penile cancer, although this level of protection is from disease is usually only applicable on newborn circumcision, and not for men who are circumcised at a later in childhood or as an adult. In other cases, circumcision is medically necessary, and the procedure could be mandated at any point in a child’s life depending on the condition that develops. One such condition is phimosis, which occurs when the foreskin of a penis does not naturally retract, which can lead to unsanitary hygiene practices and increased risk of disease.

Your internal medicine physician can provide more detailed information about the medical benefits involved in choosing to circumcise your child, and you are encouraged to start a frank and open discussion with your health care provider about the issue.

Circumcisions are one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States, if not the most frequent. Estimates suggest that there are over 3,000 circumcisions done every single day. If you’re a parent, you should be comforted by the fact that complications from circumcisions are quite rare, and those that do develop are almost exclusively short term.

Minor complications may include pain, slight bleeding, infection or irritation, all of which can be easily treated when caught early. It is a good idea to be vigilant in inspecting the wound site for any of these issues, so you can track any improvements or worsening to relate to the physician. It is common for your child to experience pain when urinating for the first time, as the urine is going through the same opening that was used to remove the foreskin. This pain should lessen over time, usually by the fourth or fifth day it is gone entirely. If your child does not urinate within the first 10 to 12 hours, you should contact your doctor. Another minor complication is a small amount of blood on your child’s diaper or slight oozing from the wound site. Both of these things should clear up within a few days as long as the problem does not worsen. Sometimes a minor infection can develop around the wound site, or along the opening of the urethra, which usually means that a small amount of bacteria made contact with the circumcision site. Many physicians instruct parents to place petroleum jelly on the tip of the penis in order to lessen chance for irritation when the penis comes into contact with urine, stool, or the diaper.

This isn’t to dismiss the possibility for more serious complications, but it’s important to understand that these are also rare. Like any surgery, circumcision can have serious risks, and surgical errors do sometimes occur. Some long term complications are the result of too little or too much foreskin being removed during the procedure, which can lead to skin bridges and pain during erections, or a condition called phimosis which can require corrective surgery. In addition, unattractive or excessive scarring of the penis can occur from botched procedures, the outer layer of the foreskin may be accidently amputated, the urethra could be damaged during surgery, and some men even report a loss of sensation during sexual intercourse. While these are extremely rare, there have been cases in which the penis had to be amputated, excessive bleeding or hemorrhaging which required stitches, and even fatal bacterial infections that infiltrated blood and tissue.

Like any surgery, it is important to go over any potential complications with your physician before the birth of your child so you can be prepared to make an informed decision.

Trying to find accurate, or even consistent, statistics for US circumcisions is a difficult task. Since routine circumcision is not mandatory for health reasons among newborns, and the reasons for circumcision vary widely (cosmetic, social, religious, cultural, personal, and medical reasons), obtaining data can be complicated. Most sources claim that approximately 60-70% of all male births undergo circumcision, which take place almost exclusively in the first week after childbirth. This figure has actually dropped significantly since the mid to late 1960s, when an extremely high 85% of all male newborns underwent the procedure. Recent figures show that over 1.25 million males are circumcised at birth each year in the US- which breaks down to approximately 3,300 per day! Regardless, of all the circumcisions performed in the US each year, almost all of them performed on newborns in a hospital setting (close to 99%), making circumcision an extremely common surgery.

Interestingly enough, circumcision rates actually vary widely when you look at rates on a state to state basis- which makes circumcision a procedure that is greatly influenced by race and even geographical location. Regionally speaking, the rate of male circumcision has decreased in the Northeast and North Central areas, increased in the South and Midwest, and declined in the West. According to recent figures, approximately 65% of newborn males in the Northeast are circumcised, compared to 56% in the South, 75% in the Midwest, and 30% in the West. These changes have no doubt been impacted by changes in the ethnic and immigrant populations of each area, who bring with them traditional views on circumcision (or lack thereof), in addition to having a lower quality of insurance coverage than existing US citizens with superior private insurance. Hispanics, for example, almost never elect circumcision after childbirth, and are most likely responsible for the decline of circumcisions in the West. In addition, there has been an increase in circumcisions among black newborns, which could contribute to the increase in circumcisions as a whole in the South.

Compared to other countries, the United States has the highest rate of newborn circumcisions, with only 24% of boys in the UK, 48% of boys in Canada, and 15% of boys in Australia choosing circumcision at childbirth. Norway, Denmark and Sweden all have extremely low circumcision statistics, and the practice is virtually nonexistent in Asia, South America, Central America, and the majority of Europe.

Many people know of circumcision but they are grossly misinformed when it comes to the specific details of the procedure. In fact, there are many myths and beliefs that are simply incorrect and perpetrated among various cultural and religious groups. If you are considering circumcising your child, you should educate yourself on the circumcision procedure, which will help you make an informed choice on behalf of your newborn.

During circumcision, the foreskin (an outer layer of skin that drapes over the shaft of the penis) is surgically removed through a variety of methods. If a male’s penis remains intact, the foreskin will naturally hang over the head of his penis, and will eventually become retractable, easily pulled back from the shaft to expose the head. However, without this extra length of foreskin the head of the penis is continually exposed, and there is controversy as to how medically beneficial this surgical procedure is in the long run.

Proponents of circumcision argue that the medical benefits are plentiful- decreased urinary tract infections, reduced risk of penile cancer, a higher resistance to STDs, including HIV/AIDS, and less irritation, inflammation and infection of the genitals. Proponents also go as far to say that the medical benefits apply to women as well, since having sexual intercourse with circumcised men can lead to medical complications such as Chlamydia, genital herpes, ectopic pregnancy, and cervical cancer. However, opponents of circumcision claim that the procedure is unnatural, unnecessary, and even harmful to males, especially in their adult life. Many opponents say that sexual stimulation is decreased when a male has been circumcised, and they will reach more sexual pleasure with an intact penis.

There are a variety of ways in which the foreskin can be removed, although most involve a specialized devise such as the Plastibell, or a clamp such as the GOMCO. Some physicians remove the foreskin freehand with a scalpel, but this method can sometimes cause uneven and unattractive scarring. Before beginning the procedure, the physician must estimate how much of the foreskin will be removed, and how much will be left on the shaft of the penis. This is a crucial part of the circumcision process, because removing too much or too little foreskin can result in pain and even subsequent surgeries. Circumcision is actually a very quick procedure and can be completed in less than 15 minutes, depending on the experience of the physician and the technique employed.

Make sure you talk to your physician if you have any questions about the circumcision process, and make sure they have ample experience in performing the procedure on newborns. Do not be embarrassed or feel guilty to ask for a different surgeon to circumcise your newborn- the decision is a very personal one and one that your child will have to live with for the rest of his adult life.

If you are considering circumcision for your newborn, you might be curious about some reasons that drive many parents to choose this procedure for their child. Muslim men, like men of Jewish and even selective Orthodox Christian faith, are circumcised out of religious requirements for both hygienic and health reasons. Circumcision is a traditional part of the Islamic faith, and is seen as a necessity to “fitrah”, which is translated as the natural cleanliness of man. Getting circumcised is held in the same category as other required hygiene practices, including shaving pubic hair, keeping a moustache trimmed and nails short, and removing armpit hair. These are all routine behaviors that are seen as integral to a Muslim man’s worship and a follower of Islam, and just one of the many steps to achieve proper and acceptable cleanliness.

Followers of Islam are urged to circumcise all Muslim newborns before they are seven days old, but the procedure can be done as late as the age of seven. Choosing when to circumcise a newborn is largely based on the health of the child at the time, and when the doctors feel comfortable allowing the procedure. Newborn circumcisions are believed to be easier on both the child and the practitioner- the child still has a high tolerance for pain, and is resilient in recovering from injury. Unlike adults, who consume a variety of processed foods and sugary drinks, a newborn is most likely drinking his mother’s milk exclusively at the time of circumcision, and the urine is uncontaminated and natural.

Muslims believe that removing the foreskin is an integral part in keeping necessary hygiene, and view circumcision as another safeguard against infections and body odor that may come from an uncircumcised penis. Because cleanliness is so important to a Muslim male, cleaning a circumcised penis is seen as easier and less prone to incorrect washing. They also believe in the medical benefit of circumcisions, including fewer sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis and HIV/AIDS, reduced risk of penile cancer, and the possible prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Muslims also believe that sexual intercourse is cleaner and more pleasurable with a circumcised penis- since the most sensitive part of the penis is located at the head, maintaining an erection would be easier and less painful with an exposed head.

Even though a religion or culture mandates the practice circumcision, it does not make the decision any more pleasant for most parents. Many are intimidated by the thought of complications, pain and trauma inflicted on their newborn. You should always feel comfortable discussing your concerns with your physician, ideally before the birth of your child, so that you are able to make an informed decision when the time comes to give birth.