I just want to say I'm sorry.

[eurobin]

My best friend had a gorgeous, healthy baby boy on 8/29. He was born on her due date at 8lb 6oz. Her first was a 32-weeker, 4lb 7oz. I saw both of her babies right away. While they both had beautiful chub-a-lub cheeks, this darling new boy is deliciously chub-a-lub all over. I saw him the day he was born. He was absolutely perfect... great color, content and settled, only cried when he was cold. Just an amazing specimen of what healthy babies should look like.

He was circ'ed yesterday. I tried, while she was pregnant, to convince her not to. I said a silent thank you and apology to his beautiful, intact penis when she changed him on his birthday. And I just feel so bad today.

They say he was fussy last night. Geee, I wonder why? My (obviously unaltered) DD was very fussy from the moment she was out... even while she was coming out...) so trust me, I understand the newborn fuss and lack of sleep. But surely the fact that he was so content and at peace before you chopped off part of his penis is significant, right?

So... Baby Corbin... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't a better advocate. I'm sorry I couldn't convince your mom and dad to leave your penis alone. I'm sorry that at only 2 days old, you had to hurt the way you did. I'm sorry I couldn't stop it. I'm sorry for the pain you feel. I'm sorry. s

[PassionateWriter]

you did the best you could. sometimes there is nothing you can do to stop it.

[nummies]

You tried your best mama. I'm sorry.

[cherri0196]

Awww...im sorry :-( you did the best you could.

[CrowTRobot]

I know the sorrow of failing to protect a baby boy as well. And I know I will feel it again very soon. My sister is due in December with her second son. I tried in vain to protect her first son from circumcision nearly two years ago. I get angry and sad every time I see or think of what they did to him, and what they will do to this next boy. I am the only person in my family who is against this mutilation (having experienced it firsthand), so all my objections continue to fall on deaf ears. If ignorance is bliss, they must be the happiest people on the planet. Every time I mention my disdain for circumcision, I am ridiculed and ignored. They roll their eyes, make a snide comment, then turn away. End of discussion. The intactivist T-shirt I made (which has received a few lingering looks) has been taken and hidden by my mother twice. It's only a matter of time before it meets with an "accident" or is "misplaced" again.
I gave anti-circ pamphlets and info to two of my cousins who each became proud fathers of sons this year. I still don't know if it convinced them or not, having neither seen nor heard anymore on the subject. I've discussed my feelings with some female friends, and hopefully have planted some seeds of doubt.
I'm going to try my hardest to protect my new nephew, but I strongly anticipate a tragic ending.

[latinalonestar]

I know how you feel. I failed to protect on of my good friend's boy. (((BIG HUGS))) and thank you for trying.

[loveyourohana]

Cant convince my BIL and SIL either... I know exactly how you are feeling right now!

I have tried everything too... but they wont take even take a glance. SIL mom is a nurse, and has pleaded with her not to vaccinate, or circ too...

If she wont even let her own mom speak, its just become two subjects falling on deaf ears...

[lovin'leo]

I failed too.

[Mom4tot]

[snangel]

I am sorry too. Perhaps when the boys are old enough you can help them sue for what has happened to them.
We all have failed, but we have also won, please let this make you stronger, may you never stop this fight.

[Contrariety]

I am so right here with you!

[buckeyedoc]

It's definitely not your fault. DH and I tried with his younger brother and wife. They now have 5 circumcised sons. Some people don't want to know the truth.

[BunnySlippers]

That makes me cry

[AmieV]

You have a big heart to have tried as hard as you did and to feel it this intensely knowing what happened. (((hugs)))

and yes, absolutely that could cause him to be fussy. the biggest thing I see at the hospital is babies who don't want to nurse for a good 8 hours post-circ, which just is not allowed at the hospital, so guess what comes next? The formula supplement pushing. I think far too little attention is given to the effects of circumcising on breastfeeding. I know lots of moms who are pro-BF'ing who still circ without thinking. Sad.

[tammyswanson]

I know how you feel, so far I'm 0 out of 2 myself.

I wondered if they actually watched the video links I sent them (or had the sound turned off, maybe) of what that poor baby went through when they circ'd him. Did they even consider how grotesque that 'ritual' is?

Would they still do it if it wasn't so 'mainstream'? What if they saw it in some National Geographic documentary and thought "Oh my, that is just sooo primitive, lucky we don't do circumcisions in this ultra modern country of ours".

When I got to see my friends preemie for the first time, I mentally apologized to him that I couldn't save him from his own mother and those sadistic doctors.

[sept15lija]

That makes me cry too. You did your best, that's all you can do.