EASY DOES IT!

Here is what you need to know including…

• Diaper Changing
• Hygiene Hints
• What to Expect
• Safety Tips
• Health Topics

Parents can relax, knowing they can now care for their natural son using this basic information, and that he will be healthy, safe, and happy.

Bathing and Hygiene

Use warm, clear water to bathe him. Soaps and bubble baths can cause irritation. When he’s ready, he can be taught to keep himself clean. As his foreskin begins to naturally retract, he should be encouraged to gently pull his foreskin back, rinse himself, and return it to its forward position. At about four years of age, he might touch his anus and then transfer germs to his penis; talk with him about germs and proper hygiene.

Normal Growth

Before birth, the foreskin and penis grow as a single structure. After birth, the foreskin slowly begins to loosen over a period of years. As the inner layer dissolves, excess skin cells slough off and appear as small, white lumps. Few foreskins retract by the sixth month, half take ten years to retract, most retract by age eighteen, and some never retract—this is all normal.

Foreskin Retraction Danger

Forced foreskin retraction by an un-informed adult is the greatest penile risk boys face. It causes severe pain, bleeding, scarring, and may lead to infection and adhesions. The foreskin should be retracted by the boy himself, only when he is ready to do so.

Caution: Stay with your boy during all medical examinations. Some healthcare professionals might forcibly retract his foreskin. Before every examination say,"Please, do not retract his foreskin."

Diaper Changing

Wipe him front to back. Change his diapers regularly to keep urine and feces away from his penis and to prevent infection and inflammation.

Health Hints:

Soreness and Infection
Stop bathing with soaps and bubble-baths if the foreskin becomes red and itchy. A common cause of inflammation is fungus, easily treated with an anti-fungal cream, or liquid acidophilus culture (available in health food stores) applied 6 times daily for 3 days. If he is diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, use the prescribed antibiotics. Seek medical help any time there is pain, oozing, fever, change in coloration, or bleeding.

Ballooning while Peeing
This is normal, though it can be alarming to parents seeing it for the first time. If the boy is not in pain and his urine is free flowing, don’t worry.

Foreskin Won’t Go Back Down
Put your first and second fingers on either side of the retracted foreskin (like holding a syringe) and push the glans back into it with the thumb (like depressing the plunger on a syringe).  If unsuccessful, seek medical assistance immediately.

Circumcision Referral
If your physician recommends foreskin amputation or circumcision without first considering less invasive treatments, get a second opinion. There are many alternative treatments such as stretching, taking prescribed antibiotics, or applying topical steroid creams, for various penile problems, which might help your son avoid surgery.