Should You Circumcise Your Baby Boy?
Circumcision probably won’t impact your son’s health, research shows, but a range of cultural and social factors deserve your consideration.
By Susan Reslewic Keatley, The New York Times, April 17, 2020
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Overall, circumcision is a safe, low-risk procedure for newborns, said Dr. George Mussalli, M.D., an obstetrician at Village Obstetrics in Manhattan and an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and women’s health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
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Dr. Mussalli recommended frequently checking your son’s diaper for blood during the first few hours after the procedure, and contacting your provider if you notice more than a few drops. He also recommended an extra pair of hands for diaper changes, to hold the baby’s feet and prevent him from kicking the circumcision spot, which could cause bleeding. Parents should use a shot glass of water at a comfortable temperature to rinse pee or poop off the penis, instead of disturbing the area by wiping. But cleaning too gingerly can raise the risk of adhesions in the first few days, when the skin on the tip of the penis is sticky, Dr. Mussalli warned. Dr. Mussalli also recommended putting petroleum jelly on the inside of the diaper, to prevent the penis from sticking to the diaper as it heals. After about a week, you should be able to resume regular diaper care.
