Circumcision is a common procedure performed on newborn male babies, involving the surgical removal of the foreskin. Proper aftercare is essential to ensure a smooth and comfortable healing process. This guide provides important steps to follow after your baby's circumcision.
Initial Care:
- The area needs to be kept clean after surgery. Each time you change the child's diaper, soak a cotton swab or piece of gauze with warm water and gently cleanse the tip. Then allow the penis to air dry thoroughly for no less than ten minutes, if possible.
The majority of infants who have undergone circumcision can go home on the very same day that the procedure is performed in a hospital setting. The most common advice from medical professionals is to administer Tylenol or acetaminophen at regular intervals of four hours throughout the first 24-48 hour period following surgery.
It's important to keep your baby's diaper loose enough so that it doesn't rub directly against the bandage on your infant son’s penis, where there are stitches around his foreskin and shaft.
Maintaining Hygiene: Care should be taken daily for at least two weeks after circumcision has been performed to ensure proper wound healing. It's best if you use fresh, cool water or saline solution when washing your baby’s penis since soap can cause irritation around any sensitive tissue areas left exposed due to surgery such as the shaft part underneath the head.
Your child may experience mild bleeding, and it is considered normal for up to five days after circumcision. Nevertheless, if you observe significant blood or oozing, prompt attention from your pediatrician is required.
Avoid Irritation: Prevent diaper rash with petroleum jelly, which also helps keep the baby’s diaper from adhering to his recently circumcised wound as it heals over time. When changing a soiled diaper, be sure not to pull too much on any remaining pieces of tissue left behind at the shaft or head after surgery.
It may take up to one week for full healing in some cases but generally averages about two weeks when caring properly and following all instructions provided by your doctor