My friend (work friend and she sometimes babysits dd1) is pregnant with a boy...she is super open to things and is very sexual (this has to help, lol) herself, so I am hoping with some information, I can talk to her openly about circ and convince her not to. (Not that I even know yet what her position is on it) Baby's father is also not around anymore, so no pressure from dad)

Is there a book I can buy to give her (like order online or get from barns and noble or something?) about infant baby boys that covers not circing? (and also I'd have to include a pamphlet or two inside the book :loveeyes: )

Also, how does one bring this up into conversation? I was thinking about calling her this weekend to set up a time to go to babys r us to start a registry (I'm bad, I know!) and bringing it up then or something. Any hints or tips?

Thanks in advance!
Beth

There is a book by Dr. Paul Fleiss called What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcision, but quite frankly, I think it's overkill and many people aren't going to read a whole book. I would suggest either a) the Mothering magazine reprint on circumcision, which has three great articles, two by Dr. Fleiss (including one dispelling all the myths about caring for the intact baby/child), and/or b) a pamphlet like the first one on the pamphlet page at www.coloradonocirc.org, which IMO covers all the bases in one succinct pamphlet. (The ones at nocirc.org aren't as good IMO because you need like 3 or 4 to get all the information across!)

Another good book is Mothering's Having a Baby....Naturally because it's very pro-intact.

A great website is www.oknocirc.blogspot.com

As far as bringing it up, I would just be upfront. "You're having a boy....have you thought about circumcision? It's really important to know that circumcision is painful, unnecessary for medical or hygienic reasons, and harmful because it removes half the nerve endings of the penis." Just be direct -- it's nothing to be embarrassed about, especially because you may be the only person pointing her in the direction of useful, scientifically valid information about the intact penis (as opposed to all the cultural myths that societies, families, and doctors perpetuate).

Where do I go to find reprints???

Where do I go to find reprints???

The articles are available here:

http://mothering.com/articles/new_baby/circumcision/circumcision.html

Jen

How about that men's health article that talks about circumcision?

http://www.infocirc.org/MensHlth.htm

You could print it out. I really like that one. A bit old, but comprehensive and has photos. And it's from a mainstream men's magazine . . . sometimes that makes a difference to people in terms of the weight they give information.

Julia
dd 1 year old :love

What about Dr. Sears' books? He's anti-circ for the most part.

But Dr. Sear's goes with "it's not medically necessary but people choose to do it based on personal preference and culture". So it doesn't come across as completely anti-circ. Just let's you know it is elective cosmetic surgery.

Send her here to MDC.

Alrighty...

So I went and ordered the reprint of "circumcision" from Mothering...couldn't get the Magazine issue because it's out of stock though :(

I plan on buying her a Dr. Sears book, and including this in the insert :) I've already bought her a diaper bag she's had her eye on and will polietly put it in there...but will also bring it up letting her know there is information on why I feel so passionately about it in there.

Thanks guys! And YES I am going to try to get her to MDC.

Peace,
Beth

I just gave a copy of "Mothering's Natural Family Living" (its a book, but I cant get the underlining to work). It has a whole chapter on circ & its awesome, filled with all kinds of parenting info. Also, Sheila Kitzingers childbirth book is very anti circ. And... since your friend is open about sex, there is "The Guide to Getting it on" http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Getting-Paul-Joannides/dp/1885535694/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9000751-5709539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175450879&sr=8-1 which has an absolutely fabulous section that describes the foreskin in detail and how insane it is to remove it. This book convinced a military dad I know to leave his boy intact. I can't recommend it enough. I would also honestly skip Dr. Sears in favor of the Mothering book, its got all the AP & nursing info with a much more intense anti-circ feeling than Dr. Sears.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Family-Living-Mothering-Parenting/dp/0671027441/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9000751-5709539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175451003&sr=8-1


http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Pregnancy-Childbirth-Revised/dp/0375710477/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9000751-5709539?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175451037&sr=1-1