Not Sure What To Do?

[SMH]

My son had his 9 month check up today. The dr said that his penis is still tight and that I should gently retract the skin when he takes a bath. I was under the impression not to retract the foreskin, that it would retract on it's own. Is there something I should be doing other then...well really nothing :!

Thanks so much - April

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

The ped couldnt be more wrong!! The normal age of retraction is from 3yrs to adulthood. DO NOT try to stretch the skin and DO NOT let the dr touch his penis agian. Print out the intact care agreement http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/care.htm and the aap care guide take them in and have them put in your sons chart.

It isnt our job to teach dr's but honestly on this subject if we dont no one else is going to. By him messing with your sons foreskin he could cause damage leading to major issues in the future and it is imparative that he dosnt do so again.

The only person to be messing with it should be ur son.

[SMH]

Are you sure? I felt very uncomfortable today when he was retracting it. Kyran didn't wince at all so it didn't hurt him but I thought maybe that wasn't the best thing to do. How could such a good Dr not know about this. Also how do I tell him that I think he's wrong? I really do love this dr and i think he's been right on about lots of things so I don't want to come off like i don't trust him. Do you have a specific link that I could read about not retracting the skin?

I really appreciate any and all help!

April

[SMH]

You must have been editing while I was writing ! I'll go reading right now!!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

The reason American dr's dont know this is because they are only taught how to cut the foreskin off in school not how to care for one that is still there. It is one of the major issues we deal with here in this forum. Please read the sticky at the top of the page "A Warning To Parents Of Intact Sons" it happens so much there is well over 100 postes there of moms like u who have delt with the dr trying to retract or giving the horrible advice of "stretching" the foreskin.

[Daisyuk]

What he did is against the AAP guidelines...

http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_d...DD&sub_cat=108

"What Is Foreskin Retraction?

Sometime during the first several years of your son's life, his foreskin, which covers the head of the penis, will separate from the glans. Some foreskins separate soon after birth or even before birth, but this is rare. When it happens is different for every child. It may take a few weeks, months or years.

After the foreskin separates from the glans, it can be pulled back away from the glans toward the abdomen. This is called foreskin retraction.

Most boys will be able to retract their foreskins by the time they are 5 years old, yet others will not be able to until the teenage years. As a boy becomes more aware of his body, he will most likely discover how to retract his own foreskin. But foreskin retraction should never be forced. Until separation occurs, do not try to pull the foreskin back — especially an infant's. Forcing the foreskin to retract before it is ready may severely harm the penis and cause pain, bleeding and tears in the skin. "

"Does my Son's Foreskin Need Special Cleaning?

Your son's intact or uncircumcised penis requires no special care and is easy to keep clean. When your son is an infant, bathe or sponge him regularly and wash all body parts, including the genitals. Simply wash the penis with soap and warm water. Remember, do not try to forcibly retract the foreskin. "
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This is getting repetitive. You really need to educate that doctor. Print off some of those leaflets and keep them in your diaper bag to hand out to ignorant medics and caregivers. I'm now understanding why so many American men have trouble with their penises, it seems that no-one can leave them alone, but insist on fiddling with them causing the very infections and diseases they're trying to avoid!!

[Yoshua]

Originally Posted by SMH

Are you sure? I felt very uncomfortable today when he was retracting it. Kyran didn't wince at all so it didn't hurt him but I thought maybe that wasn't the best thing to do. How could such a good Dr not know about this. Also how do I tell him that I think he's wrong? I really do love this dr and i think he's been right on about lots of things so I don't want to come off like i don't trust him. Do you have a specific link that I could read about not retracting the skin?

I really appreciate any and all help!

April

she is sure. Some people dont retract until they are 16 years old. Physicians have very little clue on how to deal with an intact penis. there is virtually zero change a 9 month old is retractible. It 'can' happen, but it is almost as rare as a man not being able to retract until he is 30.

The 'tightness' he felt was the doctor ripping the foreskin off the glans, even if he didnt wince, doesnt mean it didn't happen.

I would worry less about your doctor's feelings and more about your son's genetalia.


The only person that should EVER retract that penis is your son, until he becomes sexually active, then I am sure he will someone else to do it for him j/k.


Average age for retraction is 5-11 years old(ish) not 9 months. And some people don't retract until their mid to late teens. If it takes that long, then YOUR SON can do stretching excersizes to help it along, but ONLY YOUR SON will EVER know if SOMETHING is UNCOMFORTABLE or not..... and I garuntee he wont be able to articulate that at 9 months old.

Every time he retracts before he retracts himself you are creating minor tears in the glans/mucous skin that open him up for infection. It is like cutting your skin open and then having someone cough on it. Just doesnt seem smart when it is put that way does it?

[gethane]

My son is 2 and his foreskin is still very tight and he can't retract at all.

No worries! It's completely fine. Some smug temp pediatrician at my office tried telling me that garbage too. I wrote a letter and included a print out of the AAP guidelines and sent it to him. I never heard back, and changed pedi offices.

[calngavinsmom]

Just a little reassurance for you. My sons are 4 and 18 months (both have tight foreskins still) and their doc has never tried to manipulate their penis'....ever. There is no need and it could cause damage. Not good! There is nothing the doc needs to see, so really he should just leave him alone.

Baby girls do not get vaginal exams with speculums, baby boys should not get penile exams with forced retraction.


Here are some more printouts for you:
http://www.nocirc.org/publish/4pam.pdf
http://www.nocirc.org/publish/6pam.pdf
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/Circumcision.htm

Good luck to you!
Tara

[SMH]

Could damage have been caused today? What should I be looking for if there was. I'm so sad

[Yoshua]

it will probably get a lil red and maybe a lil swollen if/when it reattatches. But you probably shouldn't worry to much.


Yes something 'could' happen but I wouldnt worry about it to much at this point in time, just watch it.


If it looks like it is getting infected and hurts to pee or if you touch it he flinches in pain, then you may wanna watch it closely, but for the most part it 'should' just re attatch and you go on without to much issues.


The damage is caused by this happening over and over again and causing infections. People that do this might have well of circumcised because it is causing the same form of damage.


You will probably be fine, just watch it, we don't want to worry you to much, just enough to make sure you yell at any ped that tries this in the future.... dont hesitate to educate (hey, i made a rhyme)

[lilsishomemade]

And just a word on the doctor. Not saying he's not a good guy, but honestly, they only know what they are taught, whenever that was. I'm a nurse and know darn well that opinions change on things sometimes constantly. If you don't keep up on it all, then, you're outdated. A lot of dr's don't see that many intact boys, and so taking care of an intact penis isn't a big subject for them in school. He may be very knowledgeable about a lot of things, but never assume that one person knows everything, including your doctor. This is why I encourage parents to do their own research!! Educate yourself, he's your son (which, btw, I understand was your intention to posting here).

ETA: About telling your doctor you don't agree, it's not a problem, especially if he is a good dr. Just tell him that through your research, you prefer that he NOT touch your son's penis at all, since it is not necessary. I'd bring the AAP guidelines with you to hand him.

[QueenOfThePride]

What doctors don't know, is that foreskin retraction is a hormonal process. There is no way that physically working at it is going to loosen up the foreskin. The foreskin does not need to be retractile until sexual maturity.

[eightyferrettoes]

Oh, yeah, the doc has no idea what he's talking about. My kid's 13 months old, and I'd be flabbergasted if I saw him retract. LOL. There's no stinkin way a baby as young as yours is ready to retract.

I'd just print out the AAP's statement on intact penis care and let it do the talking for you.

[SMH]

Thanks ladies, I feel a lot better! Thanks so much for your fast replies, it really has put me to ease. I'll make sure no one touches my little man !!