Intact son peeing concern (?)

[SaraMum]

I have a 2.5 year old intact son and he is using the toilet most of the time now (not at night and during naps). I had a friend babysit him last week and she told me after "have you noticed his penis swells up like a balloon when he's peeing?" I have noticed that, but then it proceeds to empty. She also has an intact son but her and her Doctor believe that the skin should be moved back to clean, she thinks it's all leaking into his foreskin from somewhere and that it might cause an infection but he has always peed like this ( well from age 13 mos and up when I have been able to watch him on the potty)I guess what I am asking is, does this sound normal. I don't mean to sound naive, I just haven't had experience with a boy child before

[SaraMum]

I just looked it up under the frequently asked questions :S Ballooning is such an appropriate term. I think I was a little more concerned with the fact that she thought it was an issue and I had never noticed it to be a problem. Thanks!

[calngavinsmom]

Hi there. Your son is perfectly normal. "Ballooning is just a normal phase of development. Both of my sons have gone through it(the younger guy still is in this phase) Here is an article that explains it:
http://www.mothering.com/health/prot...advice-parents

-Your son's foreskin balloons when he urinates. He needs to be circumcised or else he will suffer kidney damage.

Ballooning of the foreskin during urination is a normal and temporary condition in some boys. It results in no discomfort and is usually a source of great delight for little boys. Ballooning comes as a surprise only to those adults who have no experience with this phase of penile development. It certainly does not cause kidney damage; it has nothing to do with the kidneys. Ballooning disappears as the foreskin and glans separate and the opening of the foreskin increases in diameter. It requires no treatment.

Your friend and her doc are also wrong about manipulating her sons foreskin. The only person who messes with the boys foreskin should be the boy himself. Check out the rest of the article I linked for info on that.

I hope this offers you some reassurance.

Take care!

[SaraMum]

Thank YOu

[calngavinsmom]

I guess I was too late! I'm glad you found your answer

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would advice your friend also that her dr is wrong about retracting and that only the owner of the penis should be retracting. Doing this could cause her ds major problems down the road.

I think you found the possible seperation issue thread in resources but in case you didnt here is the link http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=764732 I would actually print this out and a few of the other resources to give to your friend.