The Hemostatic = coagulating dressing and the Vaseline dressings which I will apply to the incision immediately after the Brit, will fall off on their own, either after the first or second diaper change or anytime for a period of up to the first three days. The inner bandage is made of material that will cause blood to coagulate. As your son urinates, some of the coagulated blood will dissolve. You might see a pink or red stain on the diaper or gauze pad. DON'T PANIC OR WORRY.

After the bandages come off you may see several things: Your son's glans may be very red. It is red because until now, it has not come into contact with light or air. This redness is not indicative or any soreness or sensitivity. This redness will disappear in a few weeks. You will also see a red swelling behind the glans. This is normal. The swelling will go down in a few weeks. You might also see a mucous discharge. This is lymphatic secretion, which is akin to the beginning of a soft scab. It might vary in color from white, yellow, green to gray. It will cover the head of the penis and very much resemble skin. Some parents have reported that build up of the secretion on the shaft of the penis might tend to look like a blister. It is not a blister. Do not attempt to remove this from the shaft or the penis since the secretion functions as a soft scab; removing could cause bleeding. Just leave it alone and it will eventually go away. To the untrained eye, this secretion may look like pus. IT IS NOT PUS! All of these may be expected in varying degrees.

For a period of one week (the day of the Brit is considered day one), whenever a diaper is changed, apply Neosporin ointment on a sterile 3x3 gauze pad to the area. This may be stopped after the 7th day. I will demonstrate to you exactly how this is done, (a picture is worth a thousand words). I will review all the after care with you immediately after the Brit.

No water, alcohol or cotton should be applied to the area.

A slight swelling may occur. This is normal. You may notice a thickness on the underside of the penis where the skin is bunched together. Over time this will decrease in size.

Smegma may appear and may be removed gently with a gauze pad.

A whitish-yellow formation (granulation) of tissue in the area of the wound will occur in some babies. This is a normal part of the healing process.

Please limit the time that your son is without a diaper. His legs are naturally curved inward because of the fetal position. If he kicks without a diaper, he may kick himself in the penis or rub his heels against the incision and start to bleed.

Care should be taken to observe the area during the healing process to insure that the crown of the penis remains fully revealed. Should this not appear to be the case, please consult with me immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me or consult with your Pediatrician.