Circumcision is an elective procedure that removes the foreskin from the penis of male newborns.
We perform this surgical procedure for infants up to 30 days old who have already received their vitamin K shot. We do our best to keep patients calm and comfortable during the procedure, including a secure swaddle, sucrose water (sugar water), and local anesthetic (numbing medication).
Please plan for the visit to take up to two hours, including a monitoring period following the procedure to watch for any bleeding (30-45 minutes).
Circumcision Aftercare
Your baby’s penis will be red and swollen for several days. A moist, yellowish film may appear around the head of the circumcised penis as it’s healing—this is called granulation tissue and it’s normal. Don’t try to wipe it off!
Your baby’s scrotum or skin around the penis may be bruised from the circumcision for several days.
Healing of the circumcision usually takes seven to 10 days. When healing is complete, the head of the penis will look like normal skin.
Your newborn boy may be fussier over the next day after his circumcision, but he should be consolable and continue feeding regularly. You may give your baby infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) only ONE time after his circumcision—his dose is 1.25 ml four to six hours after the circumcision occurred.
Expect the amount of blood on the front of the diaper to be dime-sized or smaller over the first day.
Call Your Doctor If…
- There is any bright red bleeding or oozing, or if the amount of blood on the front of the diaper is larger than the size of a quarter.
- Your baby does not urinate within eight hours after the circumcision.
- The redness and swelling around the head of the penis is getting worse.
- There is thick, smelly, yellow or green discharge.
- Any fever greater than or equal to 100.4° F. We recommend taking a rectal or axillary (armpit) temperature if your baby is fussier than usual, less active than usual, seems warm, or is not feeding at his baseline.
- Your baby seems very fussy after one day.
