For those with uncircumcised boys - help!

During the past year, our pediatrician has told us that we did not have to do anything special with regards to cleaning their uncircumcised penis. At their one year check-up, I asked again if we should be doing anything. She said that we could now start retracting their foreskin when we give them a bath.

I have to be honest, this really kinda freaks me out right now! I know I'll get used to it but I'm afraid of hurting of them and it just seems strange to do. I actually tried to do it last night in the tub but I gotta tell you that it is not easy. They are wiggly, it's hard to see, etc.

So I'm just wondering when you started doing anything? Where and when did you clean it? How often? How far back do you pull the skin? (sorry if this is TMI but I just don't know)!

Thanks for your help! I feel squimish even typing this message but I know some Mom's here can help me!

 

QUOTE(happyfor2 @ Aug 28 2008, 09:44 AM) [snapback]951717[/snapback]
She said that we could now start retracting their foreskin when we give them a bath.


I pulled this from a post I made in a discussion regarding retraction last month:


I'll refrain from chiming in on the circumcision debate, but wanted to urge those who are retracting uncircumcised (or even botched/failed) circumcised foreskins back on an infant/toddler/preschooler (even at a pedi's recommendation) not to. Contrary to public opinion, having intact or partially intact foreskin does not lead to hygiene problems. Retracting a foreskin prematurely can inflict pain and lead to infection instead of preventing it. Society likes to pretend things need cleaning up (hello, douche industry) when they don't. :nea:

Don't take my word for it, the following is the American Academy of Pediatrics take on it (note the link doesn't recommend daily retraction for cleansing until puberty):

QUOTE
Most boys will be able to retract their foreskins by the time they are 5 years old, yet others will not be able to until the teen years. As a boy becomes more aware of his body, he will most likely discover how to retract his own foreskin. But foreskin retraction should never be forced. Until the foreskin fully separates, do not try to pull it back. Forcing the foreskin to retract before it is ready can cause severe pain, bleeding, and tears in the skin.

 

You should not have to retract your kids foreskins for cleaning till they are much older (ie. pre-teen or teen, and by that time I'm pretty sure they'll start to experiment with that sort of thing themselves ).
The penis is a self-cleaning organ, and should never be forceably retracted.

 

There was ZERO doubt about when they were able to retract it because peek-a-boo penis became their favorite game in the tub. And I'm sure it's getting plenty clean without my help.

 

I agree with the others. They'll do that on their own when the time comes. :blush: I'm happy about that too, I wouldn't want to do it. :blush:

 

I don't pull anything - goodness knows they'll do it themselves eventually

I wash the outside and keep it simple. The penis doesn't need a lot of attention.

 

My pedi says just clean it like a finger. No retraction. Over time, a boy's (many!!!) erections help separate the foreskin; you don't need to do anything.

 

Our son is 8 now and thankfully taking care of himself there now when he was little it seemed like a big deal the doctor and books I read said wait till they are 2 years old to pull back the skin. We just taught him to wash his whole body there included and he has never had any problems. I liked the comment about washing it like a finger because with our youngest two sons thats about how important it is.I would just say dont worry too much.

 

after getting advice that i should do this, i asked my ped. and he told me that retracting it was unnecessary, that DS would do it on his own when he becomes a teenager and begins to masturbate. :80: yup, he said that, when my teeny baby was all of 3 weeks old! LOL last thing on my mind, and not something i wanted to picture, EVER! LOL

 

QUOTE(spinhermie @ Aug 28 2008, 06:18 PM) [snapback]952363[/snapback]
after getting advice that i should do this, i asked my ped. and he told me that retracting it was unnecessary, that DS would do it on his own when he becomes a teenager and begins to masturbate. :80: yup, he said that, when my teeny baby was all of 3 weeks old! LOL last thing on my mind, and not something i wanted to picture, EVER! LOL


Your pedi is WRONG. Masturbation starts as soon as they have the hand coordination to grab it! :lol:

 

No boys here but have heard many times to never retract the foreskin.

 

Thanks everyone for all your help! I plan to leave well enough alone for now!

 

Yes thanks for all the great advice.

 

FWIW, my doctor said no need to do anything with it either. I gently "sorta" retract it just a little bit once in a great while when I'm changing his diaper just to see if there's anything in there and there never ever is.

 

QUOTE(Callen @ Aug 28 2008, 11:42 AM) [snapback]952120[/snapback]
I don't pull anything - goodness knows they'll do it themselves eventually

:rotflmbo:

 

Quite often they wake up with little erections which pull back the forskin automatically!