Brestfeeding after circumcision?

Question

I have read in a couple of book that some boys have problems brestfeeding after getting circumcision done. This is one of the things that is really making me scarried about this whole thing. Once he comes out they give him shots and everything , so it's just wise to get it all done at once so they don't have to hurt him later on. but getting circumcision done interfears with brestfeeding.. Can someone help me with their experiences? and tell me how their sons reacted?

Answer 1

There are many people who are passionate anti-circumcision who like to spread rumors like this. The truth is that the baby may be a little sore the day after, and feeding may be eratic, but it really doesn't make a difference whether the baby is breast fed or bottle fed. The feeding will be normal again in a day or so regarless of breast vs. bottle (and a lot of newborns don't miss a beat when it comes to this.)

Circumcision is a personal decision, usually related to religious preference or whether the father was circumsized. Just don't make the decision because you think he "needs" it, or that there are huge health benefits. The benefits are minimal, and the risks are minimal. Make sure they use local anesthesia if they do circumsize him.

Here is some information from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
http://www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZJZMEMH4C.htm?&sub_cat=1
http://www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZ13FOPIUC.htm?&sub_cat=1

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I agree with April above. I have twin boys and circumcised both. Just don't let them use the plastic cap/bell thing they tie around the penis. One son had this and It doesn't take off enough skin and results in a lot of bunched up uneven puffy skin covering half the head. With the other she just trimmed it back neatly, pretty far back behind the head and it healed in about a week and looks really good. There were no complications and she used an EMLA cream about an hour before circumcising him and he didn't even cry and barely fussed any at all. Feeding was not a problem after the procedure. If they use the EMLA cream or nerve blocks they never know what is happening to them.

Answer 3

If you want your son circumcised, you can minimize the interference with breastfeeding. First of all, wait a week before doing it. This will give the two of you a chance to get started learning how to nurse. It also happens to be better for your son--that's the time when his blood will clot more easily. He is less likely to hemorrhage.

Second, be sure that they use anesthesia. Doctors used to assure mothers that babies couldn't feel pain. Now they know better, but *still* don't always give pain medication for circumcision.

Third, be there with him during the procedure. You don't have to look if you don't want to, but your presence (and nursing him *right* before and *right* after) will help enormously.

Or don't circumcise. Honestly, if you can teach your son to clean his ears, you can teach him to clean his penis. (Probably even better--he will be touching his penis a lot more than his ears!!) It is *not* a health risk to not circumcise. And it's ridiculous to want to "make him look like his father". How will you change his eye color? The shape of his nose? Are you going to spend more time looking at his face or his penis?

I have 4 sons. They are all circumcised. They reacted differently to the circumcision. My first one acted like he didn't know anything had happened at all. My others were obviously in pain at the time (especially the second, who got no pain relief), but it didn't interfere with breastfeeding. All were done when they were a week old, not a day old. It really does help.

Answer 4

Wait till he gets some teeth, then you should breastfeed during the circumcision, so that you can get an idea of barbarity you have just allowed.

Adults are free to mutilate themselves as they wish, but to do it to a baby without a rare medical condition is child abuse.
Inflicting unnecessary pain on a baby should, without exception, be a crime.

"Babies scream so hard that they end up with their faces red and mouths wide open with no sound coming out. I had to hold their heads to the side because some vomit from the pain."- Nurse

It is no different from female circumcision - unnecessary, barbaric.
Religions and people in power thought it produced more loyal subjects, people were less likely to play with themselves.
It is certainly not more healthy, the procedure often causes complications and infections.

ONLY IGNORANT RELIGIOUS PEOPLE WOULD RECOMMEND IT.

Some people would chop their babies arms off, if they were told that it is what God wanted.
( it's healthier - no more tennis elbow)
They must imagine God is standing at the gates of heaven checking penis's.

Don't mess with mother nature.

Answer 5

It can damage breastfeeding. My kids are both adopted; one was circumcised and the other wasn't. The circumcised one did not nurse well at all (which has affected his immune system for the rest of his life), has developed an absolute terror of doctors, has had two surgeries to repair the damage caused by turning the glans from an internal organ into an external one, and has opted on his own to pursue foreskin restoration. He wet the bed for years, because of the irritation caused by the skin not being there. He likely will never forgive his birthparents for allowing a doctor to cut off 1/4 of his genitals. The uncircumcised one has had none of these problems.

Additionally, the foreskin is important to the guy's wife, because it makes things more comfortable, and it produces antivirals to prevent cervical cancer. It also contains several feet of blood vessels, tens of thousands of nerves, and it comprises 75% of the penis when erect. It's comparable to the clitoris, so removing it eliminates most of the enjoyment in males. Foreskin also lowers the chance of premature ejaculation in younger males, and of impotence in older ones. It is easy to clean, and easy to care for, if you take the time to learn how. And, as you can see, removing it can seriously impact physical health, emotional health, and the health of the chid's future marriage.

Answer 6

Circumcision is nessesary-not religious. I had a boy in my 8th grade class that had to get it done because of repeat infections. It was so painful for him! I have a 1 year old and he was circumcised the day after birth and he breastfeed very well. He was totally healed in 2 days. It was simple and he didn't even cry because he was so alseep. Do it and don't let people scare you.

Answer 7

My son ate really good, until I had no more milk to give. It didn't bother him at all.
On another note, there are 2 ways to circumsice, the normal way of just cutting it, and the other new way of using a bell. DO NOT let them do the bell way, it comes out looking very stupid, and I don't think your son would like that later on in life, if you know what I mean. They did this with my second son, and now I feel very guilty about it. But the normal way has always come out just fine.

Answer 8

My son never nursed, so I cant say from personal experience, but of the hundreds of people in my community who nurse their circumcised sons (VERY acceptable here), i cant say i have heard of one who couldnt because of the circumcision. Immediately after may be hard due to pain, but i have seen mothers nursing their kids immediately afterward without a problem....

Answer 9

Circumcision is very necessary if you don't they can get infections when they get older, have problems cleaning themselves, and even have problems having sex. I have never heard of circumcision interfering with breast feeding but if it does happen just pump your milk and feed to him in a bottle, but please get your son circumcised. Just think if you don't get it done when he is born and it becomes a must when he gets old he will be in so much more pain.

Answer 10

Circumcision is not necessary. Unless it's a religious thing it just causes pain