https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 01:54:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1284410 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:46:07 +0000 lilyann 1284410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Our son got circumcised the day after he was born at the hospital. We breastfed for 13 months with no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1284082 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:59:06 +0000 MrsSCB 1284082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: yes, I would say it's largely a cultural and/or religious thing here. I know my H's first instinct is to circ because he is, but I plan to do plenty of research before we make a final decision. The rates have been changing, with the most recent percentage I've seen being 58 percent circ vs. 65 a few decades ago, though it hasn't been a totally steady decline. Here's the AAP stance on it, though there is a LOT of debate about it here. It is pretty interesting how many things differ between our two countries! <a href="http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Newborn-Male-Circumcision.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Newborn-Male-Circumcision.aspx</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1284047 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:51:26 +0000 Snowdrop 1284047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ah so it's a tradition thing really. There are some massive differences between our two countries when you think we speak the same language and share so much media etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1284002 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:39:56 +0000 Arden 1284002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: It's about a 50/50 split in the USA, and the reasons range from religious/traditional to cosmetic to "everybody in my family did it". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1284001 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:39:48 +0000 marionberry 1284001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had our baby circumcised on day three at the hospital and he had absolutely no problem breast-feeding. In fact he was always a great eater! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283990 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:35:53 +0000 wonderstruck 1283990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: It's incredibly common in North America and used to almost always be done for a variety of reasons that are difficult to get into without starting a debate, but typically they have to do with cleanliness. Then it was so common that people worried their LO might be picked on in the locker room and such if they were the only one who hadn't gotten it done. Now it's become a thing where the dad often wants the baby to be circumcised because they have been and want baby to be the same as them. But it really varies person to person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283957 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:25:29 +0000 oscarthegoon 1283957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was circumsized in the hospital the day after birth and we nursed very successfully for 14 months. So it didn't seem to affect nursing in my experience. I wrestled with the decision (and continue to wrestle with it, as I'm expecting my 2nd son in February) but this was not one of my concerns the first time around and still isn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283916 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:12:55 +0000 Navy_Mommy 1283916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 was circed at 2 weeks. He had the topical numbing cream, barely shed a tear, and nursed as usual right after. I can't help but laugh when the SUPER "intactivists" in my natural parenting group try to argue this and the two with "intact" boys (most of the rest actually have girls) have had the MOST problems with breastfeeding. It's not funny that they've had issues with breastfeeding, but i truly believe that circ and breastfeeding aren't related at all. </p> <p>DS1 is still breastfeeding at 20 months (and I'm 34 weeks pregnant). I plan on circing this next baby as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283831 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 10:57:24 +0000 .twist. 1283831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: I know a lot of Catholics do it, also just family preference. If dad is he wants babe to look the same. Obviously there are other reasons as well. But those are a few off the top of my head. I know it's a lot more common in North America than over in England. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283787 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 10:50:48 +0000 wonderstruck 1283787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did circumcise because my DH felt strongly about it, and I actually found the opposite to be true - when LO was in pain, nursing comforted him. It didn't cause any issues for us. I hated that my DH felt so strongly about it because I wasn't sure about it, but in the end he did have it done and it was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283655 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 10:17:53 +0000 Snowdrop 1283655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wondering but why would you circumcise? I live in England and here nobody does I unless they are Jewish or for medical reasons like having a tight foreskin but tbh I've never known anyone to need it for medical reasons? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283538 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 09:35:55 +0000 Alivoo01 1283538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was circumcised at the hospital. The NICU nurse said he might be a little sluggish/not eating as much because of the tylenol they gave him, but he ate just fine! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283434 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 08:38:24 +0000 bushelandapeck 1283434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We circumcised DS while in the hospital and he had no trouble nursing right up to last week, at 16 months :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283419 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 08:26:53 +0000 irene 1283419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am late to the discussion and you probably made up your mind but here is what I think....</p> <p>I had the struggle with circumcision for the longest time too. It was our first baby and I have no clue with babies. My husband (he is circumcised) didn't want to circumcise LO because he thinks is unnatural or what not. I also talked to a friend and she has told me her friend ended up having to circumcise in the adulthood because of infections (And it REALLY HURTSSSS then). I was very very determined to breastfeed (I actually went to talks done by experts in the breastfeeding area) and I have never heard of any relationship between the two.</p> <p>AT the end I decided to get it done for my son and it was done the 2nd day (more like within the first 24 hours in his life actually). Now looking back, I will definitely do it again. As he grow older (22 months now), it is so difficult to keep his "wee-wee" clean because he twists and turns and doesn't let you do it (you have to pull down the skin to clean during bath time). I can not imagine how to keep an uncircumcised one clean. Also, we very successfully breastfed until 8.5 months. We had no problems in the beginning at all. He somehow started having nursing strikes at 4 months but it was due to teething. He'd have nursing strikes on and off until around 8 months he didn't want to breastfeed anymore period (which it was more because he was used to the bottle, and him getting more distracted. I also feel that he might start thinking it is weird to drink from a human breast. lol). So I don't know how would that relate to being circumcised.... you can be the judge.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283397 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 08:16:14 +0000 Adira 1283397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Xander was circumcised on day 2 and we're still breastfeeding at 9.5 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283325 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 06:31:21 +0000 Beyond2 1283325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I went back and forth on this for months and in the end choose not to circumcise our son. DH was circumcised for medical resons later in life and at an age where he remembers it. Neither of us were able to make it through a video of circumcision and based on those 2 factors (as well as reading the normal risks of procedure) we choose not to put our newborn through that. Just because he wouldn't remember as an adult we didn't we didn't feel a procedure that was unnecessary at the time was worth the risks. Our breastfeeding relationship has been great, still nursing at 15 months although I am currently pregnant again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283314 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:55:06 +0000 lamariniere 1283314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was not circumcised and we had tons of bf issues. I don't think it really plays into the equation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283309 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:35:59 +0000 ShootingStar 1283309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was circumcised on day 3 in the hospital and it had no impact on breastfeeding. He was very tired afterwards and slept for about 5 hours I think. We spent that time with both DH and I doing skin to skin with him, and it was actually really nice bonding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283306 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:12:59 +0000 yin 1283306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Didn't affect it at all. Procedure done on day 2, and my milk actually came in later that day. LO ate like a champ, and we're going strong at 6 weeks now. DS1 had complications with sucking and didn't take to the breast, before or after circumcision. I don't think there is any correlation between the two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283285 Mon, 16 Dec 2013 01:39:32 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1283285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: Our son got circumcised in the hospital the day after his birth. We had zero problems breastfeeding. He's 10 months now and going strong! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283239 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:46:13 +0000 KT326 1283239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Didn't affect our breastfeeding relationship at all. It was done on day 3 before we went home. He also had his tongue tie clipped at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283223 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 23:24:47 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1283223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've circ'd both our sons on Day 2. It didn't hurt BF for either one. On fact, my second LO cluster-fed like crazy after he was circ'd and brought my milk in super fast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding/page/2#post-1283210 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:59:04 +0000 Emsmems 1283210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a nurse who has seen circs and babies after circs, I will tell you that in my experience, I don't think it matters. </p> <p>I have seen both ways. Babies who are tired from the stress and sleep more (but we are talking sleeping 4 hrs in between feedings instead of 3, nothing crazy) or babies who are stressed and want to suck more to cope. </p> <p>My point is, I don't think you really need to weigh this specific point too heavily when making your decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283195 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:38:46 +0000 ALV91711 1283195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was circumcised at about 2 weeks. It did not have an impact on BF. 9 months and going strong.</p> <p>I'd say he was sleepy that day, but we just spend the day cuddling and feeding. </p> <p>I think the worst part for the baby is when the anesthetic wears off, that is when he was the most upset, but that lasted less than a minute. He nursed and then was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283178 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:26:49 +0000 rachiecakes 1283178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: my son was born with a collapsed lung and one of the nurses said to me that she wouldn't normally say it, but she was glad to hear we weren't circ-ing because he had already been through a lot. </p> <p>My very best friend circ'ed her DS and had an easier time breastfeeding than I did! (EBF past a year, worked out of the home full time)</p> <p>@Danizaur: I think researching and being aware of what may or may not happen ahead of time is half the battle :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283177 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:25:19 +0000 MamaJ 1283177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: interesting. I haven't read all the responses and didn't circ DS. But MIL said DH refused to nurse/latch etc when he was born. I wonder if it was the procedure. However she had no issues breastfeeding his little bro. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283142 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:58:54 +0000 Sammyfab 1283142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read the responses in this thread but my son's circumcision actually had a very positive effect on breastfeeding for us.</p> <p>He was circumcised at 4 weeks old and he hadn't been latching on properly because I was having supply issues. The day of his procedure, he actually spent most of the day comfort nursing and we were able to stop bottle feeding that day (I had been pumping like crazy).</p> <p>So even though he was clearly in pain and distraught from the procedure, it was a turning point for us for which I am thankful. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283054 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:13:06 +0000 artsyfartsy 1283054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Thanks for the advice. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283048 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:11:33 +0000 Arden 1283048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Danizaur: It's usually just a matter of time, they calm down eventually. I'd definitely look into getting some kind of anasthetic, so it isn't as traumatic. I'd also make it a point to keep a block of time with no visitors afterwards so he can calm down and sleep. </p> <p>I'm not going to give you the talk I give my doula parents (I'm respectfully anti-circ) because you obviously already did your research, but I will encourage you to (if you decide to go through with it) to find a provider that uses anasthetic. Many don't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/circumcision-and-breastfeeding#post-1283035 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:06:27 +0000 artsyfartsy 1283035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: @mrsjyw: Yay! Good! </p>