Expecting first son, how to care for him?

[tropicaldutchtulip]

We are expecting our first son very soon and knew for a very long time we would not circumcise him. Now I don't know what to do to take care of him? What are the things I need to do and not do?

Thanks!

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by tropicaldutchtulip

We are expecting our first son very soon and knew for a very long time we would not circumcise him. Now I don't know what to do to take care of him? What are the things I need to do and not do?

Thanks!

Congratulations, what a lucky boy. The big secret is you do nothing. Just wash it like a finger and make sure nobody tries to retract his foreskin. Here is a good pamphlet to get you started: http://www.nocirc.org/publish/4pam.pdf

[tropicaldutchtulip]

Originally Posted by Fellow Traveler

Congratulations, what a lucky boy. The big secret is you do nothing. Just wash it like a finger and make sure nobody tries to retract his foreskin. Here is a good pamphlet to get you started: http://www.nocirc.org/publish/4pam.pdf

Thank you! Okay silly question! How do I wipe it when I'm changing his diaper? We will be using CD's. Just wipe it like a finger like you said during the diaper changes?

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by tropicaldutchtulip

Thank you! Okay silly question! How do I wipe it when I'm changing his diaper? We will be using CD's. Just wipe it like a finger like you said during the diaper changes?

That's right. Just 'clean what you see'. Don't try and push back the foreskin or anything like that.

[Dan Bollinger]

Another flier

The Intact America "Foreskin Care: A Parent's Guide" is better than NOCIRC's, I think. It is based on a pamphlet and article I published on intact care. You can download and print it off at:

http://intactamerica.org/sites/defau...%20Parents.pdf

[tropicaldutchtulip]

Originally Posted by Fellow Traveler

That's right. Just 'clean what you see'. Don't try and push back the foreskin or anything like that.

I know this has been asked a zillion million times! I don't have to worry about infection getting "inside" from the poop in the diaper? I'm thinking of the breastmilk poop that goes everywhere! heehee! I know not to clean the inside and not to retract it! Don't worry about that. Just double checking about if poop can even get inside? I have never seen an intact little boy or man so I have not the first clue! I just know I don't want to circumcise him and trying to learn how to care for him!

Thanks again everyone!

[beru]

Originally Posted by tropicaldutchtulip

I know this has been asked a zillion million times! I don't have to worry about infection getting "inside" from the poop in the diaper? I'm thinking of the breastmilk poop that goes everywhere! heehee! I know not to clean the inside and not to retract it! Don't worry about that. Just double checking about if poop can even get inside? I have never seen an intact little boy or man so I have not the first clue! I just know I don't want to circumcise him and trying to learn how to care for him!

Thanks again everyone!

There is a band of muscle at the very tip of the foreskin. It is closed up tight most of the time. It dilates open when peeing. (I never knew this before my boy was born and it simply amazes me. It is wonderfully functional.) My doctors told me to gently stretch the foreskin opening to "help it along". I originally just thought that was unneccesary advice. Now I believe it must definitely be harmful because it could potentially take away this function of the foreskin early.

Also, how would you clean a girl who got breastmilk poop smeared all over? You wouldn't give her a douche. Maybe if you felt insecure about cleaning what is seen you would dip her in a bath. The same for a boy.

Read "How to protect your son..." in the mothering resources. I'll add the link after I get back from reading to my baby on the potty...

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by tropicaldutchtulip

I know this has been asked a zillion million times! I don't have to worry about infection getting "inside" from the poop in the diaper? I'm thinking of the breastmilk poop that goes everywhere! heehee! I know not to clean the inside and not to retract it! Don't worry about that. Just double checking about if poop can even get inside? I have never seen an intact little boy or man so I have not the first clue! I just know I don't want to circumcise him and trying to learn how to care for him!

Thanks again everyone!

Ask any question you like; that's why we're here. I (and everyone else here) will answer the same question a zillion million more times if it helps parents protect their sons.

[glongley]

Originally Posted by beru

There is a band of muscle at the very tip of the foreskin. It is closed up tight most of the time. It dilates open when peeing. (I never knew this before my boy was born and it simply amazes me. It is wonderfully functional.) My doctors told me to gently stretch the foreskin opening to "help it along". I originally just thought that was unneccesary advice. Now I believe it must definitely be harmful because it could potentially take away this function of the foreskin early.

Also, how would you clean a girl who got breastmilk poop smeared all over? You wouldn't give her a douche. Maybe if you felt insecure about cleaning what is seen you would dip her in a bath. The same for a boy.

Read "How to protect your son..." in the mothering resources. I'll add the link after I get back from reading to my baby on the potty...

Besides the sphincter action of the opening described above, there is also the fact that the foreskin is literally fused to the head of the penis initially, so there is nothing to "get under". Even once separation has occurred the foreskin fits very snugly to the head of the penis, partly due to the tone of its muscle layers, and partly because in children the outlet it naturally tight and non elastic. Oh, and don't forget that the foreskin opening is flushed outward multiple times a day with urine (which is sterile as it leaves the bladder). The whole thing is very ingeniously designed to keep poop out! For a really messy poop, wipe off the outside, and then you can sit him in a basin of warm water. No biggie.

Gillian

[mummytoH]

My initial thought was "do nothing!", so I'm glad to see that's the advice you wise ladies have given!

We're in the UK & circumcision is not something that's routinely done - I think on medical grounds, it would be but usually much later on if there were problems. I think certain sections of society still have it done for religious reasons, but again it's not routine & is something of an 'underground' practice.

I can't imagine having my Son put through that, it's horrifying! So Mr Winkle is as he's meant to be & will be staying that way. Once he's older, there will be a conversation with his Daddy about how to keep it clean etc, or I'll make sure he has the right literature about personal hygiene, sex education, contraception etc.

[tropicaldutchtulip]

Originally Posted by Fellow Traveler

Ask any question you like; that's why we're here. I (and everyone else here) will answer the same question a zillion million more times if it helps parents protect their sons.

Thanks again! I always knew I would not circumcise, but now I was like oh no I need to learn how to take care of a little boy!

[eepster]

Originally Posted by mummytoH

We're in the UK & circumcision is not something that's routinely done - I think on medical grounds, it would be but usually much later on if there were problems.

Most of the time those "problems" are either just part of normal development or something that should have been treated with less drastic means. If you ever encounter "problems" check this article first, then if you can't find the answer come ask us here before you consult a Dr.

[eepster]

When DS was still in diapers, I used a spray bottle of plain water and a wash cloth to wipe him. I didn't wipe him for wet diapers, just poopy ones. The scrotum is actually much harder to get the poopy off than than the foreskin.

[tropicaldutchtulip]

Originally Posted by eepster

When DS was still in diapers, I used a spray bottle of plain water and a wash cloth to wipe him. I didn't wipe him for wet diapers, just poopy ones. The scrotum is actually much harder to get the poopy off than than the foreskin.

Oh goodness! I forgot about that! heehee!