Proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery after infant circumcision. Keeping the area clean, protected, and dry helps prevent infection and discomfort. Monitoring healing closely during the first 24 hours and following clear aftercare instructions ensures your baby’s comfort, safety, and optimal healing in the days that follow.
For parents who have chosen circumcision for their baby boy, ensuring proper post-operative care is crucial to his comfort and well-being.
In this article, we will provide tips on how to care for your son’s circumcision, including the first 24 hours after the procedure, as well as in the weeks following.
From understanding the healing process to maintaining hygiene, we are here to provide you with the information you need to ensure your baby boy receives the best possible care during his recovery phase.
Keep the Treated Area Clean
This is one of the most crucial tips for infant circumcision care. Keeping the treated area clean helps avoid any infections, irritation, or other complications.
Healing is promoted by keeping the area clean and dry. Use disposable diapers for the first week, as they are less irritating and help keep the area drier and cleaner. It is also recommended to use two diapers for extra padding for the first 4 days.
Gently clean the area around the penis with warm water and a soft washcloth, and sponge bath the rest of your son’s body. Avoid any baby wipes, towelettes, alcohol, powders, or lotion as these may cause irritation.
Keep the Treated Area Protected
Following the procedure, there will be a square white gauze with Vaseline placed over the head of your son’s penis. Leave the gauze in place and remove it after 24 hours. If it has fallen off, do not worry – simply replace it with a fresh 3×3 gauze with some Vaseline on it and put it over the penis, then close the diaper.
There will also be a long white and brown bandage wrapped around your son’s penis. Once again, leave it in place then remove it after 24 hours. If needed, you may use some warm water to wet the dressing to help remove it. If there is some bleeding, maintain firm pressure for 5 minutes.
In the first 24 hours after the procedure, it is important to keep your son snugly swaddled (especially his legs). The more he kicks his legs, the less comfortable he may be. After 24 hours, you no longer need to swaddle him unless he finds comfort in doing so. It is normal for parents to notice mild swelling, redness, or a small amount of discharge during the healing phase. These symptoms usually improve gradually as the area recovers. Understanding what to expect can help parents feel reassured throughout the process. To learn more about the recovery timeline, you may find it helpful to read how long baby circumcision takes to heal.
Avoid Car Travel
Another important tip is to avoid any unnecessary car travel as much as possible. This is because car seats can be irritating to a newly circumcised penis. If you are using a car seat, a folded diaper placed between your baby and the car seat straps will prevent pressure on the penis.
Continuously Monitor the Healing Process
Overall, it is extremely important to closely monitor your son’s healing process.
Please check your son’s diaper every hour for the first 24 hours to look for any abnormal bleeding. If no blood has seeped through, his penis is likely not actively bleeding. It is normal to see blood stains the size of a loonie with each diaper change. However, it is not normal to see blood dripping from the penis. It is also important to watch out for any signs of a fever.
Infant Circumcision at Gentle Procedures Toronto
We understand that parents will sometimes have concerns and questions in the days after a baby boy’s circumcision. Do not hesitate to contact us with any concerns that you feel require the doctor’s attention. Our staff at Gentle Procedures UK is always available to answer your questions.
