Quick Question about Foreskin........

[BlueberryPancake]

Sorry, maybe tmi, but I'm not sure what to do with my 3 yo... I was told not to pull foreskin when washing him, and I haven't done. I have tried pulling foreskin back a bit tonight in the bath, and it is very tight, I didn't try very much but it wouldn't go back completely. I'm sure there's an answer to that, anyone knows if it's normal? His willi is quite hard when he wakes up, and he says that it is hurting him, should I raise this with HV or is it too early? Thanks!!!

My DS1 had problems with his willy when he was 2 or 3 and we saw the doctors several times and iirc I don't think boys are able to pull their foreskin back until the age of 4 or 5 so it isn't a problem if you can't do it now. In fact I think it only becomes something that needs sorting out if it still isn't retractable by 8.

Maybe he doesn't like the sensation of a hard willy rather than him being in real pain. My DS2 didn't like it much at 3. He kept rubbing it to make it get smaller.

But with all things if you really think he is in pain, trust your instincts and have a word with your GP.

If there's any resistance - Stop.

The foreskin isn't always able to retract just yet, it is attached to penis at birth and wouldn't necessarily be able to be pulled back by 3 (though it is in most cases, mind you in rarer cases it takes into double figures before fully separating).

More concern is that it hasn't gone back fully, if it still hasn't in morning I'd be tempted to go to HV on monday.

Don't worry about the little erections - they'll help the separation process gently, and don't worry about lack of complete separation just yet, tis all fine.

Oh yeah the 'hurting' thing, I'd be a little cautious in that, kids find it hard to describe sensations sometimes, especially unusual ones.

Does he exhibit any other signs of discomfort? like when weeing and so on?

DS is 5 and his has only slightly started to stretch as I make him clean it due to recurring ballinitis but it doesnt completely go back

here. Ds has this and had a nasty infection. If he gets it again his GP has said he will need to be circumsized