Caring for Your Newborn | homecircumcision.com

CARING FOR YOUR SON AFTER HIS CIRCUMCISION

Although the circumcision is a relatively quick procedure, babies do need a little more care and attention to ensure a proper recovery.

I will guide you in the best care methods in person but here are some pointers you can refer to:

Be Vigilant - As with after any medical procedure one needs lots of rest and TLC. During the first 24 hours after the circumcision pay special attention to the wound during each diaper change.

Call if you are worried - Specifically, take care to notice if there is any active bleeding or oozing. In the rare event that you have any concerns about excessive bleeding or infection (very unlikely), call me immediately. It is always preferable to err on the side of caution!

Keep your house calm - For the first three days after circumcision, try to keep your home environment as calm as you can and minimize visitors. Your son will probably need to sleep a bit more than usual and keeping things quiet at home will assist him in getting the rest he needs. It is important that you the mom needs to also get as much rest as possible due to being after birth.

How to Help a Wound Heal

1. Keep the Area Clean

Keeping the area clean means doing everything possible to impede the development of Bacteria. This can be achieved by replacing the gauze and cream 3 to 5 times a day. I will demonstrate how to do this when I am at your home.

2. Warm Bath

Warm water is a tremendous aid for the healing of most wounds and aids in bringing down swelling. I therefore encourage parents to give their baby a daily bath 24 hours after circumcision, and on each subsequent day for the following two weeks.

Also note:

Part of the area of the circumcision is an open wound so take care to keep it as clean as possible (urine is fine) and free from foreign dirt.

Wash your hands before you change the baby.

You will spread a circle of Polysporin or ointment that I will supply you with around the area of the wound during every diaper change to help ward off infection.

When the baby urinates he may wash out the bandage and it is common to find a little orange or light red in the diaper. Do not be alarmed if you observe this, it is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about!

Day Two & Beyond

Once the dressing is removed, or if it falls off by itself, continue applying the ointment for another 48 hours.

Take care not to touch the circumcised area itself.

A few days after circumcision, it is normal for a white or yellowish crust to appear around the incision. This should NOT be mistaken for an infection. This is actually the skin regenerating. Do not pick at them.

Keeping Your Son Comfortable

Your son baby may be a little more irritable than usual during the first 12-24 hours following the circumcision. Try to keep him tightly swaddled if he accepts it, as this can make him calmer.

You will be asked to double diaper your son after the circumcision. This will afford him extra padding, allowing you to handle him as usual. Newborns are very sensitive to the way they are held, and will feel the nervousness of the parent. This method ensures a relaxed parent and hence a relaxed baby.