Instructions For Your Child After a Circumcision

Your child has just had a circumcision, which is the surgical removal of the foreskin. This document will help you understand how to take care of your child after his procedure.

Dressing

• Your child will have white or yellow gauze wrapped around his penis.
• Remove this dressing by late afternoon or early evening today (the day of the surgery). If it falls off by itself, it is not necessary to replace the dressing.
• Your child may soak in a warm bath to help remove the dressing.

Stitches

• Stitches hold the incision together.
• They do not need to be removed.
• The body will absorb the stitches.
• It is normal for the penis to be sensitive and to look red and swollen.

Bath

• Starting tonight, give an infant/child warm tub baths twice a day for 10 to 14 days. Older children or adolescents may shower or take a tub bath for comfort. This helps the healing and helps keep the area clean.
• Apply Vaseline® or Bacitracin® to the head and shaft of the penis with your finger or a cotton swab. Do this after every diaper change and bath.
• For older children not in diapers, apply ointment 3 times a day.

Activity

Today:

• Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
• Your child may be unsteady on his feet.
• Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

• Your child’s activity can be as it was before surgery unless restricted by your physician.

Diet

• Your child may eat or drink as usual.
• If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours. Then offer small amounts of clear liquids, half strength formula or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Your child may then slowly start on their normal diet.

Pain

• Your child can take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.
• If your child is 6 months of age or older, they may take Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.

Please call the office if your child develops any of the following:

• Fever greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees in children under 12 months of age
• Fever greater than 101 degrees in children 12 months of age or older
• Bleeding, increased swelling, bruising or drainage from the incision site(s)
• Pain despite the prescription medications

If you have any questions, please call your surgeon’s office.

Rev. 12/2020. This document is intended to provide health related information so that you may be better informed. It is not a substitute for a doctor's medical advice and should not be relied upon for treatment for specific medical conditions.