Post-Newborn Circumcision Care: Tips for Parents

Taking Care Of Your Newborn's Circumcision

Congratulations, you just had a beautiful baby boy. Now, he is ready for a circumcision before you take him home. The excellent medical staff of Florida Pediatrics Group, located in Meritt Island, Melbourne, West Melbourne, FL, are ready to answer any questions regarding newborn circumcision and aftercare.

What Is Circumcision?

When a boy is born, they have a bit of extra skin called the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. This skin serves no medical purpose. Your pediatrician removes this skin during a short, sterile medical procedure called a circumcision.

The Benefits of Circumcision

Here are a few health benefits associated with the procedure if you decide to proceed.

• Lowered risk of cervical cancer developing in sexual partners that are women
• Urinary tract infection prevention in younger boys
• Penile cancer prevention in grown males 
• Lowered risk of some sexually transmitted diseases 
• Lowered risk of penile infection and swelling

A newborn circumcision is considered a positive for some select cultural and religious groups.

Risks and Aftercare for Circumcision

According to Florida Pediatrics Group located in Meritt Island, Melbourne, West Melbourne, FL, right after newborn circumcision, your child may be cranky and sore. As expected from any minor surgical procedure, you can expect to see some bleeding and swelling. If he presents with more than a quarter's size of bleeding in his diaper, call our doctor right away for the next treatment steps.

It is normal for your child to develop a clear crust on the surface at the penis tip. This crust disappears after a couple of days. If you notice a yellowish discharge, your baby doesn't urinate in 6–8 hours following surgery; the wound will not stop bleeding, there is swelling/ bleeding that doesn't decrease three days after the procedure, or develops a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, please call your pediatrician immediately.

When performing diaper changes, clean the area with a fresh, soft washcloth and water at least once daily, especially after a dirty diaper. Keeping this area clean will significantly reduce the risk of infection. 

Sometimes, the surgical area may stick to the diaper, so it's important to coat the clean, dry surgical area entirely in petroleum jelly. This gel helps protect the healing skin. With proper maintenance of the surgical site, your son should heal completely within seven to ten days after the surgical procedure.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

As always, the highly trained medical staff at Florida Pediatrics Group located on Meritt Island at (321) 453-1717, Melbourne and West Melbourne, FL, at (321) 752-5210 are ready to answer any questions you have regarding your newborn's circumcision and all related aftercare needed to maintain a healthy surgery site.