baby

 

Supplies:

  1. Two 1-oz. tubes of Neosporin, Bacitracin, or Vasoline
  2. 8-10 sterile gauze pads
  3. Medicated baby powder (such as Caldesene Baby or Gold Bond Baby Powder)

Note: for your convenience, I usually supply all the post-bris supplies.

 



Caring for the Baby:

The first 8 hours after the bris, at every diaper change:

  1. Wash hands well with soap.
  2. Please do not remove the original inner bandage! Just diaper your baby normally, taking care not to disturb the bandage.
  3. You may want to double-diaper the baby for extra padding.

After 8 hours:

  1. You may begin to bathe your son at least 2-3 times daily with a lot of mild baby soap and very warm water. A temporary bandage will be in place and will come off in the bath. Don’t pull it off, allow it to come off slowly.
  2. The bath should only be for a couple minutes, agitate the circumcision area with water to help keep it clean.

Once the Bandage Comes Off:

  1. Whenever this happens, whether before the first bath or after, apply a gauze pad with a lot of bacitracin ointment or Vaseline. In the case that your newborn son kicks off his bandage or it is accidentally removed, please apply one application of the medicated baby powder for any bleeding then apply gauze with ointment.
  2. You will remove the gauze pad that you placed and put a new one with ointment at every diaper change.
  3. Apply the ointment for only 1 day (i.e. morning to night). Too much ointment may cause excess swelling. Double diapers and gauze pads are also no longer needed after this point.

For the next 5 days:

  1. Bathe your son at least 2-3 times daily with a lot of mild baby soap and very warm water, just like before. If he makes a very dirty diaper, you can bathe him again. These baths are only for a few minutes. 
  2. Some redness is normal, the bath will help reduce any swelling and discomfort. If you notice the yellowish/white new skin growth sticking to the diaper, you may apply bacitracin on the diaper itself, but please do so only as needed. If you notice swelling or dark coloration, continue bathing, but discontinue use of any medical products. Also, many have found relief by switching to a natural or organic diaper.

 

I am available to answer any questions by phone or for house calls 24 hours a day.

 

That’s all, may he grow up to Torah, Chupah, and Ma’asim Tovim – To Learning, Marriage, and Good Deeds!