Circumcision

Circumcision is probably the oldest medical procedure still performed. It reduces the risk of infection of the penis and eliminates the risk of phimosis ( when the foreskin remains tight as your baby boy grows and cant be retracted as it normally can in older boys). Phimosis can be very painful and sometimes interfere with erection.

Circumcision remains controversial. The AAP recommends that parents should be aware of the potential risks and benefits of circumcision. If you decide to have your baby boy circumcised, the AAP recommends to provide a pain relief, using a local anesthetic.

The reasons why some parents decide to have it done are:

• Cleanliness. It is easier to keep a circumcised penis clean.
• The locker-room syndrome. Parents don’t want their sons to feel different from their friends or from their father or brother.
• Appearance. Some people feel circumcision makes the penis more attractive.

• Health. The hope of reducing the risk of infections, cancer or other problems that may occur in future.

The reasons why some parents decide not to have it done are:

• The lack of medical necessity. Many parents are questioning the sense of removing a part of infant’s  body.
• Fear of infection and bleeding. Even though complications are rare when the procedure is done, some parents are worried about the possibility.
• Concern about pain.
• The wish for your baby boy to be like his uncircumcised father.
• Less risk of diaper irritation.
• A believe in children’s rights. Some parents want to let their child to decide at a later date.

How to care of uncircumcised penis? Uncircumcised penis in infancy doesn’t require a special care – soap and water, applied externally, just as the rest of the body is washed, will keep it clean. It is unnecessary and can also be harmful to forcibly retract the foreskin or clean under it with cotton swards, irrigation or antiseptics. But when the foreskin is clearly separated, you can retract it and clean under it. By the age of puberty most skins will be retractable and your boy can do it himself.

Care of circumcised penis. The only care the circumcised penis will ever need is ordinary washing with soap and water.