By KidsDirect Editorial Team

Circumcision Procedure and Care

Deciding on a circumcision is one thing. Caring for your baby afterward is another, and it tends to worry new parents more than the procedure itself. The good news is that the care is simple. A few gentle habits at each diaper change do most of the work. If you’re still weighing the choice, start with our page on the circumcision decision.

What Happens During the Procedure

During a circumcision, a doctor removes the foreskin, which is the fold of skin that covers the tip of the penis. It’s usually done in the first days of life, often before you leave the hospital. Pain relief is standard today, so your baby shouldn’t go through it without some form of numbing. Ask your doctor what they use.

Circumcision is a personal choice shaped by family, culture, religion, and health. The American Academy of Pediatrics reviewed the evidence in 2012 and found that the health benefits outweigh the risks, including a lower chance of urinary tract infections in the first year. It stopped short of recommending the procedure for every boy, and said the decision belongs to parents. That’s still the position we could find, and CBS News covered it when the guidance came out.

Complications are uncommon when a trained professional does the procedure. The ones to know about are bleeding, infection, and removing too much or too little skin. Following your doctor’s directions at home keeps the odds of a problem low.

What Healing Looks Like

Right after the procedure, the area will look red and feel tender. That soreness should be mostly gone by about the third day. It’s normal to see a few drops of blood in the diaper during those first days, along with some swelling and bruising near the base of the penis. A yellowish film or crust is normal too. It’s part of healing and isn’t pus.

Full healing usually takes 7 to 10 days. The scab will come off on its own in that time, so there’s no need to pick at it or wipe it away.

Caring for Your Baby at Home

Change your baby’s diaper as soon as it’s wet or dirty, and clean the area gently with warm water. Skip soap, lotion, powder, and baby wipes until the penis has healed, because they can sting and irritate. If stool gets on the area, rinse it with warm water and pat it dry. Don’t scrub.

At each change, put a dab of petroleum jelly on the area, or on the front of the diaper, so it doesn’t stick to the raw skin. Some doctors suggest an antibiotic ointment instead for the first few days, so use whichever yours recommends. Fasten the diaper loosely to keep it from rubbing. If you’re after more help with diapering, our guide to changing diapers covers the basics.

For baths, most doctors suggest sponge baths until the area has healed and your baby’s umbilical cord stump has fallen off. Your doctor may give you a different timeline, so go with theirs. Our page on bathing your baby has tips for keeping a sponge bath calm. If your baby seems uncomfortable, ask your doctor whether infant acetaminophen is okay and what dose to give.

If Your Baby Has a Plastibell Ring

Some doctors use a small plastic ring called a Plastibell. It stays on the penis for a few days, then falls off by itself, usually within 5 to 10 days. Never pull it off, because that can cause bleeding. A dark rim of dried tissue around the ring is normal.

Clean around the ring with warm water three times a day or whenever it’s dirty. You don’t need soap. After you wash, dab on the ointment your doctor suggested. This keeps the skin soft while it heals. Call the doctor if the ring is still there after about 10 days, or sooner if your doctor gave you a shorter window.

If Your Baby Has a Gauze Bandage

Some babies go home with a bit of gauze instead of a ring. If it sticks, soak it with warm water until it loosens, then ease it off. Never tear it away. Once it’s off, clean the area the same way and keep using petroleum jelly at each change.

When to Call Your Doctor

Call the doctor if the bleeding is more than a few drops, or if a spot of blood in the diaper is bigger than a quarter. Call if the redness or swelling is getting worse instead of better, or if your baby acts fussy or sick in a way that isn’t normal for them. The same goes for a Plastibell ring that hasn’t fallen off on schedule.

Signs of infection include yellow green drainage with an unpleasant smell, blisters, swelling that keeps growing, or redness that spreads over the normal skin of the penis. Don’t mistake the thin yellow crust of normal healing for these. If you’re not sure which one you’re looking at, call and ask.

Check your baby’s temperature if they seem warm or unwell. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a newborn is always a reason to call right away. Your doctor may give you a slightly different number, so follow their instructions.

When to Get Care Right Away

Get immediate care if the bleeding won’t stop with gentle pressure, or if your baby’s urine dribbles out or comes in a weak stream. The same goes for a baby who hasn’t had a wet diaper in 8 hours, or whose penis turns blue or black. Pus on the penis and a high fever are also reasons to go in right away. Don’t wait for the next office day. Call your doctor’s after hours line or head to an emergency room.

Worth knowing. This page is general guidance and can’t replace the instructions from your baby’s doctor, who knows how the procedure was done. Texas Children’s has a helpful list of common questions after newborn circumcision, and Nationwide Children’s explains care for a baby with a Plastibell. For more on everyday baby care, browse our BabiesDirect section.