Caring for your Baby After the Brit

Below you will find information and instructions for post circumcision care.

Condition of the penis following circumcision

During the days following the brit you may see several things on the penis, all of which are considered normal. All of these conditions will resolve themselves within a week or less.

1. The head of the penis will be red or purple.
2. During the first day a slight discharge of bloody fluid (about the size of a dime or smaller) may be visible on the gauze pad covering the penis, or perhaps in the diaper.
3. There may be some swelling of the softer tissue behind the head of the penis.
4. There may be secretion of mucous that accumulates on the head or shaft of the penis which will look like scabs or bumps that are off-white or gray in color. The secretion might look like pus, but it is not. Do not attempt to remove it from the penis, since doing so might cause discomfort. Just leave it alone and it will go away.

Post-circumcision care

Begin this procedure immediately and continue it for three full days (72 hours).

1. Place a generous amount of vaseline (about the size of a large olive) on a fresh 3x3 gauze pad; spread the vaseline from edge to edge on the gauze pad. With the penis pointing downward (resting on the scrotum) place the vaseline coated gauze pad over the penis to form a barrier between the penis and the diaper. Do not wrap or bandage the penis with the gauze pad.
2. Do not clean the penis.
3. Three times a day (morning, noon and night) add a small amount of anti-bacterial ointment on top of (not instead of) the vaseline.
4. You may begin bathing your baby after discontinuing the gauze pad applications, provided that the umbilical cord has fallen off.

How to reach me: Rabbi Cooper

If you see something that you would like to have explained, please do not hesitate to call at 1-800-499-BRIS.