Caring for a Newborn's Penis

It’s not all frogs and snails and puppy dog tails. When you have a baby boy, one of the earliest decisions you’ll make is whether to circumcise his penis. You’ll also want to learn about newborn circumcision care and — regardless of your decision on circumcision — how to wipe a baby boy when changing his diaper.

How to Wipe a Baby Boy

A lot of new parents ask, Should you wipe a baby boy after he pees? You might choose to wipe every time, but it’s not always necessary, especially if you’re using disposable diapers. Today’s diapers are absorbent enough to limit the amount of urine that touches your baby’s skin. Plus, urine typically isn’t irritating. If the diaper has been on a long time, consider a gentle wipe.

If it’s a dirty diaper, gently wipe away. And regardless, be sure to wipe front to back to avoid spreading any bacteria.

In general, avoid using sanitizing hand wipes, alcohol, powder or lotions when cleaning a newborn’s circumcised or intact penis. These items may cause or add to irritation. Water-based baby wipes or a simple wet washcloth or tissue do just fine.

One additional word of caution: A lot of baby boys pee when you open the diaper and the cold air hits. You can try putting a wipe or cloth over the penis as a shield just in case.

Newborn Circumcision Care

Newborn circumcision is performed for religious, personal, social and cultural reasons. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks but are not great enough to recommend routine circumcision for all infants.

“Most pediatricians take a neutral, counseling-based approach to circumcision, providing clear balanced counseling and supporting families in making a decision that aligns with their values,” says Catherine Pourdavoud, M.D., a pediatrician with Sutter.

You’ll also probably want to discuss circumcision techniques and pain management options with your baby’s healthcare provider.

After circumcision:

• An infant may be fussy and not interested in eating for a few hours. Cuddling him may help at this time.
• The end of the penis will appear red after the procedure, and often a yellowish “crust” (granulation tissue) appears around the head of the penis. This appearance is normal and isn't a sign of infection.
• Call your baby’s healthcare provider if you notice bright red bleeding; unusual redness or swelling; white, yellowish (pus-like) or greenish drainage with a bad smell; or if your baby does not urinate within 24 hours.

Once the circumcised penis heals, normal washing is enough.

The two most common methods for circumcision are the clamp and the Plastibell ring.

Clamp Circumcision

• A gauze and petroleum jelly dressing is placed on the penis after the circumcision. This dressing is removed during the first diaper change or as directed by your baby’s healthcare provider.
• After removing the initial petroleum jelly dressing, new petroleum jelly is applied to gauze and placed on the area of the circumcision at every diaper change for the next 10 days. This helps keep the area cleaner and from sticking to the diaper. Always follow the specific care instructions provided by your doctor. For cleanliness, it’s recommended that a separate jar or tube of petroleum jelly be used for the baby’s circumcision.
• During diaper changes, gently wash around the penis with a clean, warm wet cloth to remove stool or urine and pat dry. Avoid rubbing. It’s normal for the first few diaper changes to show some spotting of blood.
• After 10 days, the skin should look less raw or sensitive and more healed, meaning you can generally resume regular bathing including submerging the circumcised area (as long as the umbilical stump has already fallen off).

Plastibell Circumcision

• The plastic rim is left on the baby’s penis after the circumcision. The plastic rim usually drops off five to 10 days later. Call your baby’s healthcare provider if the rim has not dropped off eight days after the circumcision or if the rim has slipped down the shaft of the penis.
• No special dressing is necessary. If instructed by your doctor, apply petroleum jelly to the head of the penis and on the front of the diaper with every diaper change to prevent the diaper from sticking to the wound as it heals.
• Check the circumcision for swelling.
• A dark brown or black ring encircling the plastic rim is normal. It will disappear after the rim drops off.
• If your baby’s umbilical stump has fallen off, you may generally bathe him normally, following your doctor’s instructions.
• Notify your baby’s healthcare provider if your baby does not urinate regularly (3 or more wet diapers per 24-hour period) or you have questions about the swelling.

Once the circumcised penis heals, normal washing is enough.

Uncircumcised Penis Care

The uncircumcised penis of a newborn doesn’t require special care.

• Cleaning the outside is enough. Wash the penis with warm, soapy water just as you would any other part of his body.
• Do not retract (pull back) the foreskin. The foreskin and glans (area covered by the foreskin) will separate normally over time with growth and development. For some boys, the foreskin will retract while they are infants. For others, it may take as long as five years. Trying to pull back foreskin that isn't yet ready to separate can create tears and scarring. It's best to let your baby’s healthcare provider assess if the foreskin is ready to be retracted.

Call your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your newborn’s penis. If you notice anything that looks unusual or seems off, trust your instincts and make a doctor’s appointment.