How to Care for the Circumcision Site

If you have circumcised your newborn baby, you will need to take special care with the circumcision site to avoid infection. Your doctor can instruct you on how to do so, and here are some steps to follow to care for your baby boy's sensitive circumcision site.

Things You'll Need

• Protective lubricant
• Warm water

Instructions

1. Every time you change your baby's diaper, apply a protective lubricant such as petroleum jelly to the circumcision site to keep the wound from sticking to the diaper unless there is already a protective gauze in place. In this case, follow your doctor's instructions as to when to remove it and if you should change it.

2. Do not touch the wound for 7 to 10 days until it heals. It is best to wash it by gently rinsing with warm running water, particularly after a bowel movement, which could infect the site with bacteria.

3. After the initial healing process, you may want to gently pull the penile shaft skin away from the glans once a day to keep them from fusing.

4. Contact your doctor if the entire penis is red, warm and swollen and the surgical site is draining pus.

Tips & Warnings

• This information is not meant to replace your doctor's instructions.

• In rare cases, circumcision can lead to discomfort, painful erections, scarring, desensitization and even resentment later in life.

Resources

• Circumcision Information and Resource Pages