If you plan to have your baby circumcised, you will need to know how to care for it. Circumcision is considered minor surgery. Proper care is needed to be sure it heals properly and to avoid infections. Your doctor should give you instructions for care and cleaning.
It takes about a week to ten days for the circumcision to completely heal. There will be some swelling or crusting in the area, but there should be no bleeding. It’s important to keep the area clean. Mild soap and warm water can be used to clean the baby after a diaper change. Don’t use baby wipes until it is completely healed.
Your doctor will probably recommend using gauze and either petroleum jelly or A&D ointment at each diaper change. This will keep the wound soft during healing and will prevent the diaper from sticking. This is typically used on the incision type circumcision, which is most common.
Some doctors use a plastibell ring circumcision. For this a plastic ring is placed under the foreskin before the circumcision. The ring will remain on the penis and will fall off in about ten days. Don’t attempt to remove the ring. If it doesn’t fall off after ten days, call the doctor. Clean the area with mild soap and water at each diaper change. Use petroleum jelly or A&D ointment each time you clean the penis.
The baby may experience some pain during urination immediately following the circumcision. This is normal, but should not continue beyond the first day. If the baby seems to be in pain after the first day or two, notify your doctor. Proper cleaning and care will speed healing and minimize the pain.
Call your doctor if you notice any of the following:
* Bleeding
* The baby isn’t urinating regularly or seems to have trouble urinating.
* A fever of 100 degrees or more
* Redness or swelling gets worse, rather than better each day
* Any discharge after the first five days
* The baby appears to be in pain