Foreskin Removal in Newborns: What Parents Need to Know

Circumcision is the surgical removal of a layer of skin that covers the head (glans) of your baby boy's penis. While it is usually done in the first few days of a baby's birth, parents debate whether or not to have circumcision performed; some do so for religious reasons and others for social/cultural ones.

The Canadian Society says routine circumcision should not be performed. For parents weighing circumcision and the potential medical benefits of this decision for their baby, it is necessary to talk with a healthcare provider about recent information on these questions.

The possible advantages of circumcision

Excerpt: A few studies have proposed that circumcision may offer health benefits, like the following.

• Penile Cancer:  It is very rare cancer but circumcised male have a lower chances of having this disease in their future.
• Decrease the Risk of HIV and HPV Infections: Circumcision correlates with a lower risk to become infected by sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or Human Papillomavirus, those factors improve sexual health.
• Reduced Risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Boys who are circumcised have a low risk to develop UTIs in infancy and childhood, thus preventing future problems.
• Reduced Risk of Cervical Cancer in Female Partners: The female partners of circumcised men are at lower risk for cervical cancer, perhaps due to a decreased rate of HPV transmission.

Circumcision risks

Although these benefits are significant, circumcision has potential risks that must be kept in mind.

• Painful: Circumcision by definition is a painful procedure, but several methods are performed to reduce the pain.
• Minor Complications: These include bleeding and infection, which are typically minor but can occur.
• Serious Complications - In sever case you may end up in more serious issue like excessive bleeding, infections and over-removal of the skin.

To reduce these risks, the procedure should be performed by a medical professional who is properly-trained and has adequate experience performing it under sterilized conditions. This is followed by continued care to check for complications.

How to Take Care of an Uncircumcised Penis

If you decide not to circumcise your baby, uncircumcised penis care is simple.

• Gentle Cleaning - Clean your baby's penis at each bath thoroughly using warm water. Do not try to forcibly pull back the foreskin.
• Physiological Separation: The foreskin will naturally separate itself from the glans over time. Sometimes, this process may continue until a boy is between the ages of 3 to 5 or even after he has gone through puberty.

But if your son is reaching a certain age, you can start teaching him how to wash his penis as it grows. As soon as the tip of a boy's foreskin is retractable, he should clean under it regularly.

When you choose to Have Your Baby Circumcised

Non-medical circumcisions are performed by medical practitioners and skilled traditional providers. These are the factors to bear in mind if you proceed with circumcision.

• Cost: non-medically necessary circumcisions are not covered by provincial and territorial health plans, so it will be an expense to consider.
• Pain Relief:  A variety of pain relief methods are necessary as newborns can and do feel pain. These include injections of local anesthetic, topical creams, acetaminophen and sugar solution dipped pacifiers. Every way has specific side effects, like bruising or swelling and redness.
• Contraindications: As with any medical procedure, some health conditions could make complications during operative procedures more likely. Make sure that your baby is healthy before you do it.

Caring For a Circumcised Penis

Post-care is important for the right healing of circumcision.

To Comfort Your Baby - Keep holding and comforting your baby, also breast or bottle feed them more frequently.

• Healing process: Having a pocket release takes the penis between 7 to 10 days minimum time. Redness and yellowish exudate are anticipated; this should diminish with time.
• Follow It Out: You have to stick with the practitioner's care instructions, including looking after the dressing, applying petroleum jelly and maintaining good hygiene as well as following their bathing advice.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

• Keep an eye on your baby during the days it might be hard after birth and get help if;

• Chronic Bleeding: An increase in the amount or frequency of bleeding

• If the redness and swelling persists over 48 hours
• Fever: if your baby has a fever, (a rectal temperature of 38.0C or above)

• If baby is unwell or looking lethargic
• Urination problems: No urines 12 hours after the procedure.

• Symptoms of infection: Discharge (greenish or foul-smelling) from the penis

Final Thoughts

Circumcision is a complex issue and this decision should take into consideration not only the available medical evidence but also cultural, ethical aspects as it is after all something very personal. Talking with your child's doctor about the process will give you all information need to make an informed decision for the health of your little one. Whether or not you choose circumcision, provide good penis care to keep your baby's little guy happy and healthy.