Did you know that an intact penis is self-cleaning? How amazing is that! So, you may be wondering, how do you take care of your baby’s uncircumcised penis? Well, it’s actually a lot easier than you may think; there are just two rules to remember.
Intact Care
The two key points of when caring for an intact penis are:
- DO NOT RETRACT, EVER. You may have heard the rhyme, “if intact, don’t retract.” That is because the foreskin is fused to the glans of the penis the same way your fingernail is attached to your nail bed. When your son gets older, his foreskin will begin to retract on its own. At that point, he should be the only one who is retracting his foreskin for any reason. It is very important to remember: do not allow anyone to retract your son’s foreskin (even his pediatrician). Not only is forcibly retracting the foreskin painful, but it poses the risk of bleeding, infection, and may lead to adhesions.
- Only Clean What Can Be Seen. Clean your son’s intact penis the same way you would clean a finger – just wipe it down! Whether during diapering or in the bath. Avoid bubble baths as the soaps can be irritating. During bath time use a mild soap on a wash cloth to bathe your baby. I encourage parents check their bath and skincare products on the Environmental Working Group’s website to see if your products are “clean.”
THAT’S IT! Seriously, how easy is that? As always, if you have any questions about intact care, feel free to send me an email. I will do my best to promptly get you an answer.
You are welcome to send over questions about circumcision care, as well. However, depending on who performed the circumcision (Mohel at a bris, OB/GYN in the hospital, etc) the care instructions may vary. I always recommend calling whoever performed the circumcision with aftercare questions.
Additional Reading
Cord Care: What the Heck Do I Do With My Newborn’s Umbilical Stump?
Delaying Your Baby’s First Bath
Picking a Pediatrician: What Parents Should Consider
The information in this post is not to take the place of consultation with your healthcare professional. This blog is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.