Do you have any idea how long after circumcision a baby can have a bath? If you have a newborn baby boy that you’d like to circumcise at a very young age, this article will be able to answer your questions.

Your son’s doctor may inquire as to whether you intend to have him circumcised as soon as he is born, and this is one of the first things they may ask you. During this surgery, your baby’s foreskin — the hood of skin that surrounds the head of the baby’s penis — is removed. 

It’s a pretty typical surgical procedure. The procedure is generally performed before the newborn is discharged from the hospital, which is usually 2 or 3 days following the baby’s birth. This is what you should know if you are thinking of doing so.

What Exactly Is Circumcision?

You might be wondering what the circumcision process would be and if this is necessary or not. Surely, you would be skeptical at first to let your newborn undergo this painful process, most especially during the healing process. The foreskin of the penis covers the glans or head of the penis. By cutting it off, the surgery exposes the end of the penis.

Circumcision has been practiced since ancient Egypt, according to historical records. It was thought to assist guys in maintaining a clean environment. While this is true, circumcisions are performed nowadays primarily for religious or cultural reasons. In the United States, around 55% of babies are circumcised during the first 24 hours of their lives. Others will have the operation later on, and others will never have it at all.

Preparing For Circumcision

You should discuss your plans with the doctor who will perform the process if you wish to circumcise your child. Pediatricians, family doctors, urologists, neonatologists, and even pediatric surgeons are all examples of professionals who work in the pediatric setting and would probably help you understand how long after circumcision a baby can have a full body bath, or sponge bath.

mother giving baby sponge bath after circumcision

However, if your infant is early, was born with a problem to their penis, has bleeding difficulties, or their family has a history of active bleeding problems, you may need to wait longer than two days following the birth of your baby. Sponge baths may be typical during this time.

Your doctor will go through the risks and advantages of the operation with you in further detail. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have concerning the process during this period. Following your satisfaction with the procedure, you’ll sign an informed consent form granting permission for the operation to proceed.

Facts About The Process Of Circumcision

Unless your child is a baby when the surgery is performed on him, he will be awake during the process. It will probably take place at a hospital. After being laid on their backs, they will be restrained using Velcro bands or other restraints to keep their arms and legs immobile.

The doctor will clean the penile region with an antiseptic solution before injecting an anesthetic into the base of the penis to alleviate the discomfort. Pain relievers are sometimes applied topically by physicians instead of or in addition to pills. 

Additionally, your doctor will suggest swaddling them after the surgery, which involves covering them firmly in a blanket or having them suck on a sugar water-soaked pacifier after the treatment. In addition, your infant may be given acetaminophen to alleviate discomfort.

mother holding swaddled baby

Circumcision is performed with the use of three distinct types of clamps or plastic rings: the Gomco clamp, the Plastibell device, and the Mogen clamp. However, the technique is the same for everyone. First, the doctor attaches the clamp or ring to the penis and trims away any extra foreskin that has grown. The ring remains in place and will be removed later.

 An ointment similar to petroleum jelly is applied to the penis, which is subsequently wrapped in gauze by the medical professional. It usually takes no more than 10 minutes to complete. You should be able to take your infant home within a few hours if the procedure is performed in the hospital.

What to Expect After Circumcision

Your infant may become fussy and cranky after having their circumcision. Holding them with caution will prevent you from putting pressure on their penis. The penis itself may seem red and swollen, and the tip of the penis may be painful. 

There may also be a golden crust on the tip of the finger. This is entirely natural and should subside on its own after a few days of occurrence. And it will take between a week and ten days for your son’s penis to totally recover and return to normal.

It’s perfectly OK to wash their penis while it is healing. It would be best to replace their bandage after each diaper change, putting a dab of petroleum jelly on it before preventing it from sticking to their diaper throughout the process. The dressing usually is not replaced once it has been removed, which occurs around 48 hours after the treatment. On the other hand, 

Lubricant should prevent the penis from adhering to the diaper throughout the procedure. If feces gets on their penis, gently wash it away with soapy, warm water until it is no longer noticeable. Then, change their diapers regularly and secure them loosely to avoid infection.

It’s Bath time For Your Baby, But You Are Skeptical About It

You may be nervous about caring for your baby’s penis, particularly if he has just been circumcised. You might be reluctant to undergo this process for your baby, but you should prepare yourself to accept the responsibility.

doctor giving baby a pacifier

The normal healing procedure is essentially the same regardless of whether a mohel performed it as part of a religious rite or in a medical setting. However, when you bring together a diverse group of doctors, the standards and recommendations for post circumcision care are almost always different. 

As a result, whoever conducts the treatment is the most qualified individual to advise you through the remainder of your baby’s post-operative period. Contrary to popular belief, the penis is not as delicate as it seems, and circumcision is not nearly as traumatic as expected.

The foreskin is removed two or three days following birth. Infants are not restricted in their activities since they have little to do. However, after the circumcision location develops a scab, the baby should not be submerged in water generally four to five days later. Bathing practices must also take into account the date of baby’s circumcision.

So, How Long After Circumcision Can Baby Have a Bath?

If your baby is circumcised within a few days after birth, you must wait until the umbilical cord falls off before bathing him. Then, parents may gently wash and dry their infants’ penis with a soft towel after each diaper change instead of cleaning their children.

After the first two days, a sponge bath is recommended. After the second day, you may bathe your baby or toddler as normal, but wait until the umbilical cord falls off, which should be two weeks after delivery. Always use warm water when bathing your baby.

When Is It Best To Consult Your Physician?

doctor examining a baby

The majority of the time, newborns heal without any complications following circumcision. How long after circumcision can baby have a bath would be determined based on how newborns recover. Only approximately 1 percent of the population has issues. If any of the following apply, contact your doctor:

  • If your infant does not urinate within 12 hours following the circumcision, the circumcision was unsuccessful.
  • You see a significant amount of blood on their diaper, around the size of a quarter.
  • The redness or swelling around their penis worsens rather than improves.
  • Pus and other symptoms of infection are visible.
  • The leakage from the tip of their penis is foul-smelling and murky in appearance.
  • After two weeks, the plastic ring used during circumcision is still in place.

Personal Care After Surgery

washing baby while swaddled

A wrap-around garment will hide your son’s penis. Dressings often fall off after surgery, causing no substantial concern. After surgery, you should remove the day before’s dressing. It takes ten minutes for the bandage to unfold completely.

Once the bandage is removed, the penis should be left exposed to the air, and Vaseline or Bacitracin ointment should be used often throughout the day. Dry incision edges will not stick to the diaper.

Expect some leakage and bruising after your son’s circumcision; this is normal. A tissue temporarily may help halt oozing if there is any. Consult the pediatric urology clinic if there is considerable bleeding. Also, keep in mind that every child heals differently, so there is no exact normal healing time.

Final Words: How Long After Circumcision Can Baby Have a Bath?

At this point, you must have learned how long after circumcision a baby can have a bath, so it is essential that if your baby is experiencing any discomfort after the procedure, you may provide a medicine prescribed by your pediatrician to alleviate the pain. Follow the dose instructions on the label of the bottle.

And, remember that sponge bathing with warm water is always recommended during the healing time.

Comments are closed.