Will ds need to be circumcised?

[IsThatTrue]

Ds2 is 8weeks old (on sat) I was just changing his nappy from a huge poo and there was some on the end of his willy. While cleaning I noticed his foreskin doesn't 'go back' as it were. He's only got a tiny hole at the end for pee to come out.

My DH is circumcised and I know it was for medical reasons but I haven't asked what exactly the reason was iykwim.

Will ds need to be circumcised? Also I assume I don't need an extra docs appointment for this as he's got his 8week check booked for Monday.

Its not meant to go back yet!

Nope, it definitely shouldn't go back yet, he's just a tiny baby.

I assume that your DS was checked by a paediatrician at birth who would've picked up on any issues such as hypospadias. If you are very worried, then mention it to your GP at his check but it sounds perfectly normal to me.

Disclaimer, I'm not medically qualified, but I have two boys who've encountered every willy problem going and have spent the best part of 8 years in and out of hospital with them.

You need to ask DH (or MIL) what the condition was that led to his circumcision.

I'd mention your concerns at the 8 week check, but it's totally normal for the foreskin not to retract until well into toddlerhood.

Thanks ladies, I don't even remember with ds1. God I'm still rubbish at this parenting stuff 3rd time round

Sorry that was a bit abrupt.

I have four boys, at this age it doesnt go back and you must not try to force it back. As he gets older it shoukd naturally loisen but doesnt always go right back until teen years.

If he gets infections etc they may think about circumsicion but there are othet options. My ds1 had a tight foreskin and he had a course of steroid cream to help thin and stretch his foreskin. He was basically told to.play with it lots, esp in the bath.

As the othet poster said he wil have been checked at birth and the dr will give him a check at 8wks but unless it seems to cause him problems then its nornal.

If its red or inflamed or sore looking then take him to the drs but if not leave it be and regular baths will help.keep it ckean :)

I didn't try and force it, scouts honour!

Thanks for the reassurance. I think I kinda panicked because of DH!

I shall chat to DH later and then chill the fuck out :)

I could have written your post OP! DH was circumcised at 14 for this reason and recalls it as pretty traumatic (I suspect partially because of the embarrassment of having to have his Mum inspect it at that age while it was healing), his brother and father had the same issue, so we're keeping a close eye on 4mo DS as if it needs to happen we'd prefer it to be done when he's younger than 14. I noticed how tight it was and asked GP at 6week check and he said what the other posters have been saying, that it is really too early to tell. DH has been wondering if there's an alternative to surgery if DS has the same issue so it's good to hear there might be a steroid cream. Also good to know I'm not the only paranoid mother closely examining my poor DS's bits at bath time!

I don't think you need to worry for now unless there is any sign of infection; redness at the tip or pus discharging and evidence of pain on urinating. Do however take the opportunity to ask the doctor to check it out at your routine appointment. Foreskins do not retract at your son's tender age and well beyond, generally around the time he starts school or even later. Retraction is something he then needs to do for himself as he will stop if its painful and before he does any damage. You need to encourage him to do this at bath times when he reaches a stage where you can have a conversation about it.

Once retraction has been achieved, it is important to continue to do so and wash under the foreskin daily in the bath or shower to keep it clean. This is because the natural adhesions which prevented ingress of foreign dirt- clothes fluff etc have broken down and created a cavity around the glans (head) of the penis which traps stale urine, dead skin cells etc. It is a perfect place for harmful bacteria to multiply and cause odour or migrate up the urinary tract and cause serious infection. The problem is that many boys go through a phase of neglecting their personal hygiene - brushing teeth, washing ears, neck and yes, foreskins. It's not easy for a parent to supervise this duty and quite a few boys end up circumcised as a result. Circumcision in late childhood is a much more distressing and painful experience.

You should be aware that foreskin problems - phimosis or tightness which can't be resolved, are often hereditary, which is no surprise considering we inherit a range of features from either of our parents. Do check out why your in laws had your DH undergo this procedure and at what age. Personally, and to be sure and eliminate the possibility of this and other problems for ever, I think it is often best to do a pre-emptive circumcision at an early age when it is a trivial procedure which he won't remember. Through your DH, you are in the fortunate position of knowing that circumcision is no big deal or sexual disadvantage for him or you. After seeing my nephew through a couple of years of foreskin misery plus nursing him through the culminating circumcision because my sister was indisposed at the time,, I'm convinced of the advantages of this procedure and both my boys were circumcised in infancy with excellent outcome.

I know this goes against the flow for many here but it is very widely performed in early life for the majority of boys born in the United States and Canada as a health and hygiene measure. For this reason It has also as been incorporated into the religion and culture of diverse peoples though ritual and tradition may have obscured this origin. Worldwide, It is calculated that about third of males are circumcised. I'm happily married to one of them, so no arguments please.