[Ms.Doula]

I think *I* retracted his forskin.

I didnt realise. I don't think I messed with it any more than I usually do while changing, bathing, cleaning. But I think I must have done it cause hes only 3 mos old.

I feel horrible & was almost sick when I saw it. Yes it looks like busted lip, all swollen & puffy there on the end w/ lil abrasions/splits.

It doesnt seem to hurt, he was airing out while momma cried & called everyone I could think of for advice (noone I know has an intact son) then he peed (caught it with a prefold) & I just rinsed him w/ wipes solution & gently dabbed him all off.
Is there nothing else I should put on it? Anything else I could do?
It looks mutilated. I feel so sick. Horrible & Guilty.

:

God how can anyone know & then crush it & cut it inentionally!!??

 

[pdx.mothernurture]

MsDoula...

I don't think I'm understanding...what makes you think you retracted him? Did you pull his foreskin back, exposing his glans...or does his penis just seem red/swollen/sore with no known cause? Normal changing/bathing only requires gently wiping the outside off like you would a finger or giving it a swish of plain water in the bath. I'm not sure how you could have retracted him accidently? Could someone else have changed have retracted him, either during a diaper change or an exam? There are also other causes for inflammation...Frank has a great 'sticky' thread that addresses other potential causes.

HTHs...

Jen

 

[Jennifer Z]

feebeeglee is in the middle of moving...it may be a bit until she will be able to get back to you.

I wish I could help...I would be freaking out too.

eta: I emailed her so she will notice this as soon as she is hooked into the world again

 

[Ms.Doula]

sunflowermommy- I did read franks' stickys.

And Yes, I think I accidently retracted him. As in I didnt realise the gentle swishing or rolling I usually do to clean at the tip when there is powder or diaper cream residue, was enough to be constrewed as "retraction" but whatever I did, Was enough to get the swolen busted lip look.

 

[boingo82]

s:
It sounds like you were very gentle and honestly I don't think you caused this.
Babies get isolated rashes in their diaper area often. It's very possible that the end rubbed on a wet diaper and got irritated.
Usually the foreskin is attached enough that it would take forcible, deliberate EFFORT to retract.
I really think it's fine and is just a temporary irritation. My DS has "mean poops" sometimes that cause irritation and insta-rashes for him, and a little soaking or airing out helps every time.

 

[feebeeglee]

First - don't panic! One early retraction is very VERY unlikely to cause any sort of lasting harm.

Second - don't apply any downward tension on his foreskin at all when you are cleaning him up. Nothing will want to get 'in' there any more (heck, less!) than it will want to get 'in' a baby girl's vagina - in other words, anything that ooches in the very edges will soon make its way out as the natural penis and the natural vulva are self-cleaning organs.

And third - as far as retraction goes, a well-known intactivist told me a once she changed her grandson who was about four months old at the time and he wiggled a bit at the right time and his foreskin retracted! leaving a very freaked out grandma and a perfectly fine little boy. If anyone knows not to retract it's this lady! Your DS's foreskin might be one of the early ones to become retractile, like before he's 2. My older son was able to retract at about 18mo, and I had nuffin to do with it.

SO RELAX, ALREADY! If it stays inflamed for more than a day or so it might be yeast. In any event squirt some breastmilk on it, what the heck!

Keep us updated!

 

[Ms.Doula]

THANKS JENZ!! for Emailing FeeBee!!

Thanks boingo & Feebee for the insight!!!

It is already looking much better. It does look much better already. This morning though it looked like A puffy, mashed up fat lip. All icky, balloned like a blister almost, only cracked in a couple spots. It was pretty scarey looking really. And this is my first & only experience with an intact penis. Feebee, Do you know my son has a forskin thanks to you?? DH read the site in your sig (I planted him on it)

Anyway, It still looks funny & sore, & even a bit oozy? I think... but the swelling is almost totally gone. MAN! I had no idea that thing was so delicate! I guess when they say "Leave it alone", and to only wash it like a finger, but more gently, they arent kidding.

:

I was a wreck this morning.

:
Thanks, everyone. I'll update again in the am.

FeeBee did you ever know that your my hero?

 

[feebeeglee]

Aww! That's great to hear! I always figure I must be having a effect on somebody, and it's great to get confirmation

It's delicate but sturdy - like women's inner labia. High-response tissue but quick to heal like all mucosa. Just wait till he gets the *wonk* *wonk* foreskin pullin stretchies goin' on in a few months - its enough to make you cringe :LOL!

 

[Quirky]

Also, don't use powder - it can be very irritating, and talcum powder is affirmatively dangerous to use on babies. Is he prone to diaper rash? If not, cut out the cream too....the less "stuff" used down there, the less it needs a whole lot of cleaning at every diaper change.

Hope your little guy is all better soon!

 

[Ms.Doula]

Looks like its healing up nicely.
The sweling is gone. Still looks red & icky on the whole end though.

I can't believe it doesn't seem to hurt. Even when I cleaned him thismorning. Or at diaper changes. (Im cleaning him w/ jut my 2 fingers, so there is NO downward tension on his foreskin at all) Also, Is there any type of ointment/medicine I can apply to help it heal without infection? It's kinda open & raw. Im worried they'll be infection

Quirky- The powder is almost a nessesity here. I live in the central valley of CA where its easily 110 in the middle of summer. (& we use cornstarch, not talcum) I try to keep it off/away from his penis, but it gets in there sometimes durring wear. At least I assume thats what it is. Should I still leave it alone?

WHERE is this 'smegma' again??

 

[Ms.Doula]

Also we dont use cream as a routine prevenative, we only use it at the first sight of redness & irritation, but its ALL NATURAL cream from jacksmagicbeanstalk