DS isfully retractible - how to clean in the shower?

[Natsuki]

DS has been fully retractible since he was newly 3, he's almost 4 now. He always retracts a bunch when he's sitting on the toilet (thinks it's great fun).

My question is how to clean it. He doesn't take baths - he showers with either DH or myself once or twice a week.

So the advice of showing him how to 'retract then swish to clean' doesn't seem like it would work in the shower.

Right now I just have the wash cloth with soap and have him clean his penis on the outside like I did when he was a baby and non-retractible.

Do we need to be doing anything more? Thanks so much!

[Dev]

Since he is retractable, teach him the 3 r's.. retract, rinse, replace. That's all that is needed on the inner mucosal and glans of the intact penis. Soap is not needed on the inner tissue in young children. Teens and adults can use mild soap on the inner prepuce and glans if they choose as long as it does not irritate and they make sure all soap is rinsed away. Having your young son retracting and rinsing with water once or twice a week while showering is fine. If a young child is not rinsing his inner foreskin tissue and glans even though he is retractable that is fine too since little boys' inner foreskins aren't really "dirty" contrary to U.S. majority opinion. Your mother instinct and intuition is right on the mark!

[eepster]

He really doesn't need to at this age, it isn't really an issue till after puberty. My DS is around the same age and also retractable, we don't do anything with his.

It is important to not encourage him to retract past the point of comfort, since the sphincter isn't as elastic as it will be after puberty.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Ask him if he wants to but odds are the water from the shower hitting his naked glans would be uncomfortable if not downright painful. Like others have said he dosnt need to retract to clean until puberty. But it dosnt hurt to start the habit early on if he is willing.

[glongley]

Soap is irritating for genital tissues for some (both male and female), and can be the cause of inflammations of the area. Soap is not really necessary, rinsing with warm water should be sufficient.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMom2A&X

Ask him if he wants to but odds are the water from the shower hitting his naked glans would be uncomfortable if not downright painful.

When dealing with this issue (for other reasons, obviously...sore nipples, c-section scar, etc.), I let the shower spray hit my hand, then let the water dribble onto the sore/tender area.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

That is a good suggestion Storm Bride.

[intactDS]

Hi-
I was fully retractable relatively early in life (I cannot really remember a time when I was not) and all I ever really would do would be to very briefly retract occasionally in the bath or shower. I wouldn't ever do it unless I noticed a significant gunk build-up or it seemed stinky. As I got older, I noticed both of these indicators more often (as well as an increased interest in my penis) and would therefore spend more time carefully cleaning it. A good rinse and maybe some light (very light) scrubbing with the washcloth would be (and still is) all it needs.

My point is that beyond a basic awareness that it should be kept on the cleaner side is really all that I think is necessary. He will figure it out and I doubt he will neglect the area when bathing. Its cleanliness will really only be a problem if it is so stinky that you could smell it through his clothes (something I find pretty unlikely since he is showering regularly) or he is a sexually active adult (something I find pretty unlikely since he is not one).
-Sam

[tutucrazy]

retracting to clean is not necessary at this point. If he wants to retract and rinse he can but it isn't really necessary until puberty. No soap on the genitals!