It is best not to use alcohol, powders, lotions and premoistened towelettes on newborn boys as they can irritate the penis.
If your little boy has not been circumcised, his penis requires no special care. Simply wash the penis with soap and warm water. Do not attempt to retract the foreskin; it will retract naturally in a few years.
If your baby has been circumcised, the tip of the penis may seem inflamed, yellowish or swollen. For the first 24 hours after the procedure, the penis should be covered with a polyester gauze dressing with Vaseline to prevent the gauze from sticking. Change the gauze dressing with each diaper change. After the first 24 hours, you can use Vaseline alone to prevent the diaper from sticking to the penis.
If the PlastiBell circumcision method is used, a plastic ring will be left on the tip of the penis instead of a gauze and a Vaseline dressing. Your nurse will give you specific care instructions for the PlastiBell.
When the swelling goes down (about 24 hours after circumcision), push the skin on the penis gently towards the baby's body and clean the area where the skin meets the head of the penis. This prevents adhesions from forming. It is important to continue this for seven to 14 days or until the newborn is seen by his care provider.
It is normal to have a little yellow discharge or coating around the head of the penis. This should not last longer than a week. At home, gently clean the penis with plain water until it is healed. It generally takes seven to 10 days for the penis to heal fully after circumcision.
Problems after a circumcision are rare. However, call your newborn's doctor if:
1) Your baby does not urinate within 24 hours after the circumcision
2) There is persistent bleeding
3) Redness around the tip of the penis worsens after three to five days.
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