My little Joshua is seven weeks and one day old, and his foreskin has retracted, I have asked my GF and she assures me she has not touched it to clean it.
I have read that you should never pull a baby boys foreskin back to clean, but I am worried now as it looks slightly red at the tip of his penis.
Is this normal?
All help is very much appreciated
2007-12-06 11:00:08 · 16 answers · asked by Paul C 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I have just re read the question, I am not accusing my GF of pulling it back to clean, I just mean is it normal to retract on its own this early
2007-12-06 11:01:39 · update #1
Yes, he certainly does not seem to be in any pain over it
2007-12-06 11:09:10 · update #2
I suppose it could happen although I thought it didn't until they're much older. How do you know it's retracted? Make sure his doctor isn't retracting it to "take a look". There's no need for that.
Slightly red is OK and as long as there isn't pain, I wouldn't worry. That happens to my son too.
2007-12-06 11:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by Mandy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
While I would certainly ask the pediatrician about this, it's quite possible he may just have a touch of diaper rash on the tip of his penis. This is actually from putting the diaper on too loosely and the tip rubs against the diaper. It can get painful if not properly treated. In this case, diaper cream or vaseline may be helpful (just a dab on the tip to protect it), or a different size/brand of diaper.
Boys can also get yeast infections in their private areas and on an uncircumcised male the extra skin there can be a perfect place for the fungi to flourish (which is why special attention should be payed to that area when bathing, but the skin should not be forced back either, it's a delicate balance to get the area clean without causing any damage). So if he has a yeast infection, it can cause swelling if it is in the skin folds which could cause the described look of his penis.
Give your doctor a call and see what they suggest is probably your best bet since none of us here are doctor's and can only offer opinions and examples from our own history.
2007-12-06 23:51:58 · answer #2 · answered by babybugs1980 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately, the seriousness of the condition cannot be appreciated over the internet. Paraphimosis is a condition where the foreskin has been retracted over the glans penis, and cannot be put back due to swelling. It is generally painful and a true medical emergency.
Occasionally a male infant will have a foreskin that allows the glans to protrude slightly. Then there are cases of hypospadias, conditions that are apparent at birth.
Although it sounds as though this is nothing serious, the outside possibility of paraphimosis and its complications are serious enough that you should get an immediate opinion.
2007-12-06 19:31:03 · answer #3 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I don't think it's very common to be retractable that young, but if he doesn't seem to be in pain, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Don't retract it though for diaper changes.
The head of the penis being reddish/purplish is normal.
2007-12-07 10:57:58 · answer #4 · answered by SunkenShip 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure to be honest - your best bet would be to ask someone like a health visitor or to call NHS direct and ask them.
This didn't happen with either of my boys (one is 2 and one is 12 weeks), but that doesn't mean that it's abnormal. All babies are different.
2007-12-07 15:37:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember Claire Rayner talking about this.
The point was that the foreskin should be pulled back gently over a long period for cleaning as infection can occur.
To any mothers that felt embarrassed about this she said something like ....
"Come on girls do a favour to yourselves and future daughters - you know it feels better."
I don't know whether she's right about the latter or not - maybe one of you adventurous ladies might try a question on it ;-)
2007-12-06 19:22:42 · answer #6 · answered by John W 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i have a little boy who is8 month old i dont pull it back coz im frightened i might hurt him but i do clean aroung it, if you ae in any doubt go to your local doctors, the amount of times though it has turned out to be nothing and i was just worried go with your gut instincts and you will be fine.
2007-12-07 08:08:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - that's perfectly normal, as is the redness. Believe you me, he'd soon let you know if he was in any pain.
If you're still worried, get the health visitor to have a look. But from what I recall, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
2007-12-06 19:06:55 · answer #8 · answered by Ms Minger 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes. It is nto abnormal for ti not to until puberty but sometimes it does really ealry. If ti si red, I would think someone pulled on it same as you did.
2007-12-06 19:03:09 · answer #9 · answered by Betsy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just leave it alone, and it should be fine. Maybe your son did it, and if so, it's even less to worry about.
2007-12-06 19:09:29 · answer #10 · answered by Adoptionissadnsick 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋