Just got back from ds's 2 year appt. I wasn't even thinking/worrying about retraction as it has never been attempted in this dr office and at our first visit we were told not to retract.
So I was shocked when I saw the dr retracting! I told her to stop, and she was very offended. She said she would never forcibly retract, that ds was already starting to be retractable, she was checking that there was no build up, I should be gently retracting as far as the foreskin goes without forcing and rinsing (and if we don't it will lead to infections which is the medical cause for circ, sheesh)...
She said the AAP is against retraction until the foreskin loosens then it needs to be pulled back and gently rinsed. I agree with that, but how do I know when that is? Ds had no pain reaction, no flinch even when she pulled on his foreskin. I have seen him pull the tip of the foreskin away from his body, but I have never seen him retract it. I've never seen 'ballooning' when he urinates. I don't know what I should be looking for!
I said that I was surprised and this had never been an issue in the office before- she said they only start gently trying to retract at the 2 year visit since most boys start becoming retractable then. She said ds is just starting to (his glans was not fully exposed, maybe halfway so...).
Any input greatly appreciated.
So I was shocked when I saw the dr retracting! I told her to stop, and she was very offended. She said she would never forcibly retract, that ds was already starting to be retractable, she was checking that there was no build up, I should be gently retracting as far as the foreskin goes without forcing and rinsing (and if we don't it will lead to infections which is the medical cause for circ, sheesh)...
She said the AAP is against retraction until the foreskin loosens then it needs to be pulled back and gently rinsed. I agree with that, but how do I know when that is? Ds had no pain reaction, no flinch even when she pulled on his foreskin. I have seen him pull the tip of the foreskin away from his body, but I have never seen him retract it. I've never seen 'ballooning' when he urinates. I don't know what I should be looking for!
I said that I was surprised and this had never been an issue in the office before- she said they only start gently trying to retract at the 2 year visit since most boys start becoming retractable then. She said ds is just starting to (his glans was not fully exposed, maybe halfway so...).
Any input greatly appreciated.
are they always so eager to check to see if a kid is retracting or to try to get it to retract more etc etc????? What's the rush? Is it a race???? How do we know who wins? What's the prize? A red rider BB gun? Where's the timeline stated by medical organizations that a boy should be able to retract 2 mm by age 2 and 4 mm by age 4.5 etc because I really want to make sure my DS is on target because we're very competitive and we have to win, no losers in this family!!!
