Ds now cries when he pees, after grabbing his foreskin while peeing

I don't think it sounds like the normal seperation process... to me it sounds like uti... because if he had sore spots where adhesions had been torn, I think they would remain sore even when he was not peeing. The fact that urinating makes the pain happen sounds totally like UTI to me.

My son once tore a teeny adhesion when he was about 3 - but it was at a point where he was almost fully retractable, so we were able to see the two tiny raw spots- one on his glans, and one exactly opposite to it on his inner foreskin. Within a day the raw spots were all healed. He had told me that he had an ouchie on his penis, and his informing me of this had nothing to do with peeing.

Although it might not be a precedent you would like to set- if he was to pee in the tub, the water should prevent urine from burning any raw spots. If he still has pain when peeing under water- that would really sound like a UTI. Not all UTI is caused by bacteria by the way- chemicals can also cause very extreme urinary tract pain... bubble bath, chlorine pools, new detergents, different brand diapers... there are other things you can consider that could have caused pain.

Love Sarah

From the chain of events you describe, no, it does not sound like a UTI. But that's always going to be what I want to rule out. So many moms have had situations with kids with scalded urinary tracts after a bubble bath or a trip to the public pool... that's always my #1 worry.

That's why I suggested that he pee in bath water... because it would allow him to pee without pain if it was pain caused by urine burning a raw spot. I was hoping that you would be able to rule out UTI that way, if he said it wasn't so painful then (underwater) . If it is UTI, peeing under water would still hurt like the dickens.

If you can't rule it out that way- then you really should take him in for a checkup. No, you can't take a urine sample in with you- it will be contaminated and not test reliably. I have heard that there are over the counter UTI tests, but I don't know how they work or how good they are.

I think it sounds like you are overly worried about your child's safety at the Dr.s... a true concern, but not one that should prevent you from ever seeing medical help- ever. Don't second guess your child's health because you are afraid of "I told you sos" or malpractice. Be informed, be pro-active, be strong, advocate, communicate and be real. You have the right to refuse treatment, and to clearly state BEFORE your son is examined that you do NOT want the Dr to forcefully retract his foreskin, that his foreskin is not yet retractable and you do not want the Dr. to do that to him... because IT IS AGAINST medical advice to do so.

Love Sarah

Thank you all so much! He peed in the bath twice last night, a huge amount as he hadn't really peed more than a couple drops since the morning. It seemed to still hurt, but it didn't cause tears, and he was willing to do it again before bed. This morning he was afraid of the toilet still, but when he finally peed he had no trouble and kept saying "better, pee better, bath make better." So hopefully we're in the clear.

Cranberry juice is a great idea and I'm so glad you mentioned it hummingbear, because I have some in the cupboard and didn't even think of it!

Once again thank you for babysitting me through what was a minor event, but felt so intense for me. Did ya know on top of all the circ stuff, you are actually pee babysitters too?