Most children heal promptly and completely. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is a potential for complications. If you have a question regarding the healing process, please call me at (603) 440-3444. If there is a real emergency and you are unable to contact me, call your pediatrician.
As with any cut or wound, there will be some oozing of blood initially, then a scab will form, and finally, complete healing will occur. The key is to use Vaseline until the area is healed, in order to keep the circumcision area from rubbing against or sticking to the diaper. If it sticks to or rubs against the diaper, there may be some discomfort to the baby, and if the scab is pulled off, bleeding may develop.
At the time of circumcision, a strip of Vaseline gauze was wrapped around the end of the baby’s penis. If possible, leave the gauze in place for 24 hours. The baby will urinate during this time, but urine is sterile and will not interfere with healing. If the gauze falls off, or if it becomes soiled from a bowel movement, just leave it off and apply Vaseline as instructed below. After 24 hours, gently unwrap and remove the gauze. If it has dried out and it sticks to the baby or to itself, use warm water to moisten it, after which it should be able to be removed easily. For the next week, until healed, apply a GENEROUS coating of Vaseline to the penis or to the area of the diaper that will come in contact with the penis each time you change a diaper. Don’t be skimpy with the Vaseline—you can’t put too much on!
Some oozing of blood at first is normal. The first time you change the diaper, you may find an area of blood the diameter of a quarter or so. If the baby has urinated, the area of bleeding will look larger, but will be diluted by urine. If the bleeding seems heavy to you, the best method of first aid is to put the penis up onto the abdomen and apply direct pressure by compressing it against the pubic bone. It takes 10-12 minutes for complete clotting to occur, so you need to keep uninterrupted pressure for this length of time. Don’t let go and peek! If you do, then you need to start counting the 10-12 minutes again. If heavy bleeding persists beyond this time, you should call me or your pediatrician, or consider a trip to the nearest emergency room.
It is normal for there to be some swelling for the first few days. Sometimes, there will be an area of whitish exudate around the area of the incision, especially on the undersurface. If a scab forms, don’t pull it off, it will go away on its own.
Most babies are fussy for only a short period of time and are usually comforted promptly by feeding or cuddling. If your baby remains fussy, Tylenol may be used every 4 hours or so.
Most children heal promptly and completely. However, as with any surgical procedure, there is a potential for complications. If you have a question regarding the healing process, please call me at (603) 440-3444. If there is a real emergency and you are unable to contact me, call your pediatrician.
As with any cut or wound, there will be some oozing of blood initially, then a scab will form, and finally, complete healing will occur. The key is to use Vaseline until the area is healed, in order to keep the circumcision area from rubbing against or sticking to the diaper. If it sticks to or rubs against the diaper, there may be some discomfort to the baby, and if the scab is pulled off, bleeding may develop.
At the time of circumcision, a strip of Vaseline gauze was wrapped around the end of the baby’s penis. If possible, leave the gauze in place for 24 hours. The baby will urinate during this time, but urine is sterile and will not interfere with healing. If the gauze falls off, or if it becomes soiled from a bowel movement, just leave it off and apply Vaseline as instructed below. After 24 hours, gently unwrap and remove the gauze. If it has dried out and it sticks to the baby or to itself, use warm water to moisten it, after which it should be able to be removed easily. For the next week, until healed, apply a GENEROUS coating of Vaseline to the penis or to the area of the diaper that will come in contact with the penis each time you change a diaper. Don’t be skimpy with the Vaseline—you can’t put too much on!
Some oozing of blood at first is normal. The first time you change the diaper, you may find an area of blood the diameter of a quarter or so. If the baby has urinated, the area of bleeding will look larger, but will be diluted by urine. If the bleeding seems heavy to you, the best method of first aid is to put the penis up onto the abdomen and apply direct pressure by compressing it against the pubic bone. It takes 10-12 minutes for complete clotting to occur, so you need to keep uninterrupted pressure for this length of time. Don’t let go and peek! If you do, then you need to start counting the 10-12 minutes again. If heavy bleeding persists beyond this time, you should call me or your pediatrician, or consider a trip to the nearest emergency room.
It is normal for there to be some swelling for the first few days. Sometimes, there will be an area of whitish exudate around the area of the incision, especially on the undersurface. If a scab forms, don’t pull it off, it will go away on its own.
Most babies are fussy for only a short period of time and are usually comforted promptly by feeding or cuddling. If your baby remains fussy, Tylenol may be used every 4 hours or so.
6/2012
