Private lessons
Your baby boy’s genitals are just one more part of his body that you are responsible for. Make sure you know to take care of it.
WHEN WILL MY SON PASS URINE FOR THE FIRST TIME?
More than 95 percent of all babies pass urine within the first 24 hours of birth, while some let go the minute they are born. If your baby is born in the hospital, the nurses will want to know if he passed urine. Speak to your doctor if things appear abnormal. Urine should flow and not come out in little droplets. Consult your doctor immediately if the tip of the penis swells up when he passes urine.
IS IT NORMAL FOR BABIES TO HAVE AN ERECTION?
Yes, this is normal. Even though his erection is not sexual in nature, babies can get an erection due to increased blood flow to his penis. Little boys also get an erection before they need to pee.
HOW DO I CLEAN HIS PENIS? MUST I PULL BACK HIS FORESKIN?
No! If he is not circumcised, then the skin will still be attached. In other words, the foreskin does not slip back from the top of his penis. Do not pull the foreskin back, as it can tear and damage the tip of his penis. Your son’s foreskin will loosen gradually on its own between the ages of two and four years old. During this time, boys discover their penis and tend to play with it.
DO I POSITION IT A CERTAIN WAY WHEN CHANGING HIS NAPPY?
Beware the fountain! Many boys have wet themselves up till under their little chins. You won’t harm him if you place his penis pointing downward while you change his nappy. Make sure to clean the whole penis. A baby’s testicles are not as sensitive as Dad’s. Clean the scrotum gently but thoroughly.
HOW DO I CLEAN HIS CIRCUMCISED PENIS?
A circumcised penis takes between seven to ten days to heal. For the time being, the tip of the penis will appear raw and yellow in colour. Go to the doctor if it keeps bleeding, if it is more red than usual after three days, if you see signs of an infection (blisters that have filled with puss) or if he does not urinate normally within six to eight hours after the circumcision. A circumcised penis, just like one that is not, does not require a different or special cleaning routine.
HIS TESTICLES DID NOT DROP
Sometimes one or both testicles do not drop from the scrotum. This usually happens with babies who are born early, but also with boys who were born full term. You notice it when you cannot feel his testicles in his scrotum and if the scrotum appears smaller than usual.
If it has not dropped by his first birthday, a doctor may perform a small operation to force it downwards. If you do this early, you lessen his chances of having to deal with fertility issues in future. A testicle that does not drop begins to shrink.
WHY ARE MY NEWBORN’S GENITALS SO BIG?
A little boy’s genitals may appear big and swollen at birth. This could be due to friction caused by the hormones during the birthing process. The scrotum can appear swollen due to the accumulation of fluid called hydrocele. This disappears within the first year.
Consult your doctor if his scrotum appears red and feels warm, or if the swelling is still present after a year. ●
THANK YOU
* A special thank you to Dr Anli Grobler for sharing her expertise in answering the questions. Dr Grobler is a paediatrician at the Unitas Hospital in Centurion.