Natural Retraction in an infant?

[kateygirl76]

Is it possible for an infant to be fully retractable?

This may be long...but hoping you can help. I got some great advice here when my boys orginally got sick.

We are now having issues with recurrent UTIs in one of our 7 month old twins. Both were hospitalized with kidney infections and UTIs as newborns and Kevin potentially has infection #3, after just finishing antibiotics for the 2nd infection.

I'll start with - our ped has always been supportive of our decision not to circ and never tried to retract or given us misinformation. Today we had to go in for another urine sample since the bag sample was coming up contaminated. So he tried to get a cath'ed sample. When we went to move the foreskin around in order to put the cath in, his little head literally popped right out. He did not forcibly retract and said he was very surprised he was that loose at such a young age.

BUT and here comes the but, he said since he is basically fully retractable, we should retract and rinse under the skin. How do I know if this is really a good idea? I don't want to do him any harm but also don't want to neglect cleaning under the foreskin if it should be done...

We obviously want do whatever we can to prevent more UTIs but how do I know if this advice is good. Kevin has tested negative for kidney reflux.

[eepster]

It is possible, but rare, to be fully retractable in infancy. If there were no other issues I wouldn't think twice about it.

However, since there are issues with UTI, are you sure they aren't being retracted by someone? Do they have anyone else other than you watch them? Babysitters or a Grand parent? Many people believe one is supposed to retract and clean under the foreskin at every diaper change and during baths. This practice can lead to UTIs.

I would not retract and clean underneath for a child that young whether the retractability happened naturally or not. Even though the natural adhesions that adhere the foreskin to the glans have broken down, the sphincter is probably not as elastic as it will be after puberty. Repeatedly retracting it can cause it to become less elastic and risks paraphimosis. Also, it just doesn't really need cleaning, and soap in the bath water can be irritating.

My 3 yo's foreskin is no longer fused to his glans, but he never pulls it all the way back over the glans (he just tries to stick stuff in there .) Not cleaning underneath causes him no problems.

For preventing future UTIs:

• Avoid bubble baths and sitting in soapy bath water.
• Make sure you are wiping front to back, never wipe a poopy bottom then the penis. Only wipe the penis when it has poopy on it, or even better rinse it off in the sink or with a squirt bottle of plain clean water.
• Make sure you aren't putting contaminated diaper cream on their penises.
• Strip and sterilize diapers if you're using cloth.
• Give probiotics and cranberry juice if they are eating solids.
• Keep them well hydrated.
• Give plenty of diaper free time each day (but make sure their hands are clean first.)
• And check with anyone who watches them to make sure they aren't being retracted.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

to everything eepster said. Even if retractable it should only be the owner of the penis retracting and that can only happen if he is old enough to understand.

[kateygirl76]

no, I am still on maternity leave and am their primary caregiver at the moment. We have a 2 1/2 year old boy so my husband and parents know not to retract.

They are finally able to sit up unsupported so I will try to let them soak in the tub more, hard to do with the baby tubs, and maybe try some diaper free time.

Our ped wants us to see a urologist since he is now getting repeated UTIs and since I live in a circ happy area, I am afraid the appt is going to be nothing but a battle over not circing and a complete waste of time. But something is causing his UTIs

[Fyrestorm]

Have they done a VCUG?

[kateygirl76]

fyrestorm

Yes, they did a VCUG and an u/s and everything appeared normal.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by kateygirl76

They are finally able to sit up unsupported so I will try to let them soak in the tub more, hard to do with the baby tubs, and maybe try some diaper free time.

You want to avoid soaking in tubs, not let them do it longer. Bath water is a breading ground for germs.

I usually run the shower over DS after he's had a long bath. The only time I don't shower him post bath is if he was basically clean going in so it was just a fun bath, he peed right before getting in, he wasn't in very long and we used no soap.

[kateygirl76]

eepster,

I didn't mean soak, I meant more just sit in clean bath water for a min or 2 b/c in his infant tub, he doesn't really ever sit in water. just his bum get wet, but never his little pee-pee.

Which leads me to another question, the boys do all take swim class. Do you think pool water could be part of the issue? His 1st infection was prior to ever being in a pool but he's basically been in the pool since 2 months

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Chlorine and other germs in the water could be contributing to the UTI issues. He may be super sensitive to the chlorine. Just like some men/woman can take bubble baths with no issues while others get a raging yeast infection if they do.

When he gets out of the pool do you rinse him off really well with clear water? I would also really slather on the barrier cream before going into the pool and at any diaper changes during pool time.

[DocsNemesis]

Another thought-are you CDing? Is it possible they are having a reaction to the detergent? Especially since at least one is apparently retractable, it could be causing irritation. Or perhaps the disposable brand is causing an issue for the same reason.

I'd also second the pool possibly being an issue. You might want to give it a break to see what happens. The only time I've seen any issues in my older ds have been after swimming a bunch-not UTI's or anything, just redness on the exterior and him saying it hurt a bit. But then, he's also not retractable.

[tanyam926]

Just wanted to throw out another suggestion-I got recurrent UTIs as a child bc my mom would rinse the shampoo out of my hair into the bathwater before getting me out. So maybe switching to a natural shampoo or a dif one if you haven't already thought of that.

[littlemizflava]

i would never retract even if i knew the child could. i would do a quick wash avoiding putting soap on his penis, rince him then a few minutes play in a tub of clean water.

adding to the list of what ifs for you to think about..
it could be a food allergy or sensitivity.
could be the diapers if disposable then i would try cloth. if cloth i would try stripping them and changing the soap. also could be the wipes.
changing the diaper more and giving air time. you could try ECing.