Intact penis care 101

[lalaland42]

It looks like we are having a boy. :

When I was pregnant with DD, we decided not to circ before we found out gender and I verified with DH that we were still on the same page (yes) so that decision is made.

I have cared for many a little boy but none were intact so I have some questions.

I get that I am not supposed to retract (pull back) the foreskin at all to clean. Am I just supposed to wipe the outside?

Does poop ever get under the skin?

If so, how does someone deal with that?

Is there anything else I need to know?

TIA!

[aja-belly]

there is a sticky at the top with good info. HTH!

[lalaland42]

:nana:

I looked at the sticky but all the titles sounded scary so I didn't want to click on any of them. :

[gsd1amommy]

You need to get over that fear! This place is full of mothers with horror stories about their little boys being retracted or nearly retracted by practically every person under the sun-doctors, nurses, daycare providers, MILs. I believe there was even a father who may have forcibly retracted his son's foreskin because he disagreed with the mother's decision to keep him intact.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I get that I am not supposed to retract (pull back) the foreskin at all to clean. Am I just supposed to wipe the outside? Yes wipe like a finger base to tip and it is done.

Does poop ever get under the skin? No it dosnt because the foreskin is fused to the glans like the fingernail to the nail bed. No way anything can get in there past the over hang and if any of that is left the next pee will wash it out.

If so, how does someone deal with that? If it is a really nasty poo then you can pour water over him or sit him in the sink and swish. I never had to do this though I just let the next pee wash it out if it was inside the overhang of the foreskin.

Is there anything else I need to know? It is good to keep in mind that some dr. are still going by the old rule of retraction so before the diaper comes off you should request no manipulation of the foreskin/penis at all. There is nothing under there they need to see and they can cause problems by doing it.

The Warning To Parents, The Definition of Retraction, Possible Seperation issues are the stickes you should definatly read.

[robertandenith]

:::
congrats mama!

Here is a video for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIOP5...layer_embedded

[eepster]

Don't worry, it's actually easier to clean and care for an intact penis than either a circ'd one or a girl. The scrotum is actually the hard part to deal with.

For DS, I just used plain water in a squirt bottle and washcloths. The out side of the foreskin is smooth and easy to wipe.

[calngavinsmom]

: Congrats : on your boy-to-be! It really is just that easy. Wipe like a finger. Here is a great pamphlet for you....nothing scary I promise
http://www.nocirc.org/publish/4pam.pdf

Take care!

[lalaland42]

Thanks for the info! Wipe like a finger, don't pull back on the foreskin at all. Check and check. :

I have a friend who just had her first girl after 3 boys. I'll give her a call with questions so she can laugh at me.

[tutucrazy]

Here is an important thread with many important links for you:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...893&highlight=

Congratulations! :