A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

the first few days of life, but can be delayed several
weeks if the infant is having medical problems.
Caring For the Circumcised Penis
After the procedure, we will apply petroleum jelly
to the end of the penis. Your nurse will check the
circumcision site for bleeding within an hour of the
procedure. A small amount of bleeding is
normal. If there is excessive bleeding, your nurse will
apply pressure and/or a special clotting material.
The circumcision should be well healed within a
week to 10 days. Until the skin is completely healed,
you should:
• Clean the area with warm water during diaper
changes.
• Avoid applying friction or using diaper wipes,
which may irritate the unhealed skin.
• Gently push back the shaft skin if it has slid up
onto the head of the penis.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the head of the penis. Do
not apply petroleum jelly if a Plastibell ® is used.
It is normal for a yellow film to form as part of the
healing process. Do not remove this yellow film, as it
will delay healing. At the first clinic visit, your baby’s
physician will be able to look at the circumcision site
to make sure it is healing properly and not infected.
If your baby had the Plastibell ® circumcision, a
plastic ring will remain on the tip of the penis. This
ring usually falls off within five to eight days. Notify
your doctor, if you notice that:
• Your baby does not urinate normally within eight
to 12 hours of the circumcision.
• There is persistent or increased bleeding.
• A yellow fluid (pus) oozes from the circumcision
site.
• Redness at the head of the penis worsens after
several days, or spreads from the incision to other
areas of the penis.
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