1. Quick Tips for Caring For
Your Son
A light dressing, such as gauze with
petroleum jelly, will be placed over the
head of the penis. This dressing will come
off the next time the baby urinates.
Change the dressing after every diaper
changeto prevent infection (except for the
initial dressing which should be kept in
placeuntilit falls,usuallyafter two or more
diaper changes).
The tip of the penis may look red for the
first few days and there may be yellow
secretion (normal).
If theredness persistsor thereis swelling or
crusted yellow sores that contain cloudy
fluid, there may be an infection. Consult
your pediatrician.
Occasionally a small piece of foreskin
remains. Pull back this skin gently each
time the child is bathed. Examine the
groove around the head of the penis and
make sure it’s clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Circumcision?
At birth, boys have skin that covers the
end of the penis, called the foreskin.
Circumcision surgically removes the
foreskin, exposing the tip of the penis. A
doctor usually performs this procedure
within the first few days to a week of life.
Is Circumcision Painful?
Yes. Although there are pain medicines
that are given, which are safe and
effective.
Are there any problems that can
happen after circumcision?
Problems are very rare after a
circumcision.
Care of
Circumcised
InfantsNishita Patolia, Student RN
West Coast University
Care of the Circumcised Penis. (n.d.).
Women & Infants Center.
http://www.cpmc.org/services/pregnancy/i
n
Circumcision. (n.d.). HealthyChildren.org.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/age
s-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-
make/Pages/Circumcision.aspx

2. Benefits and Complications
LongTerm Medical Benefits
 A markedly lower risk of acquiringHIV,
a virus that causesAIDS.
 A significantly lower risk ofacquiring
sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
includinggenital herpes (HSV),human
papilloma virus (HPV),andsyphilis.
 A slightly lower risk of urinarytract
infections(UTIs).
 A lower risk of getting cancerofthe
penis
 Preventionof foreskin infections
 Preventionof phimosis, a conditionin
uncircumcisedmales that makes
foreskin retraction impossible.
Problems after a circumcisionare very rare.
(Problemsoccur1 in 200 to1 in 500
circumcisednewbornmales.) However,call
yourpediatrician right away if
 Yourbaby does noturinate normally
within 6to 8 hoursafter the
circumcision
 Bleeding does not stop
 The redness aroundthe tip ofthe penis
gets worseafter 3to 5 days.
 Yellow discharge lasts longer than a
week. It is normal to have a little
discharge orcoating aroundhe head of
the penis in the first week.
Care of the Circumcision: Gomco and Plastibell
GomcoCircumcision:Petroleumjelly gauze dressing is placed onthe penis after circumcision.Afterthe
initial dressingfalls off,apply a small amount ofpetroleum jelly to the gauzepad and place it over the
circumcisionwitheach diaper change forthe next 1-2 days (whichwillprevent the diaper fromsticking
to the skin).Gently washaroundthe penis with clean, warm,wet cloth to remove stool orurine and pat
dry-avoid rubbing.
PlastibellCircumcision:A plastic rim is left onthe baby'spenis after the circumcision.Theplastic rim
usually dropsoff5-8 days later. Call yourbaby's health careprovider if the rim has notdroppedoff 8
days after the circumcisionorif the rim has slipped downthe shaft of the penis.Gently cleanse the area
with warmwater, 2 times/day, and whenit becomessoiled with poop. DO NOT USE PETROLEUMJELLY.