https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:22:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756945 Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:15:38 +0000 Veggie 2756945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: Thanks for saying this! We're team green but if it's a boy we don't plan on doing a circ. I always thought people decided to circ because it was easier to clean since you don't have to retract, but if you're not supposed to retract then hmm. Waiting until they're ready so you know you can't hurt them makes so much sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756722 Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:09:23 +0000 winniebee 2756722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know, I have three boys who are not circumcised and never thought to tell anyone anything with respect to diaper changes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756668 Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:29:03 +0000 Boogs 2756668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: Thanks! Yeah that's what my oldest has done, and glad to know he's not hurting himself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756654 Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:06:05 +0000 MsMini 2756654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: ah! Unfortunately I have even heard Pediatricians even counsel people to retract the foreskin! It's just one of those things that was very poorly educated about in prior generations! I can look around for some good literature but basically no one should ever retract the child's foreskin for them. When it is ready to be retracted the child/teen will do it in their own (My DS randomly showed me one day that he could "unwrap" his - he was 4 at the time) now I just ask him to "unwrap and wash it" for himself at bath time. If you leave it to them they won't inadvertently hurt themselves doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756543 Mon, 10 Jul 2017 08:10:53 +0000 Revel 2756543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I think I'll maybe generically mention it to our moms and caregivers - I don't think anyone will be inclined to get too aggressive but I'd hate to not say anything and have someone hurt him inadvertently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756512 Mon, 10 Jul 2017 03:04:47 +0000 Boogs 2756512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: We recently thought one of our LOs had a uti and my mil (also a nurse) suggested gently retracting in the tub to make sure it wasn't just dirty. I was all 😱. DH must have learned this from her and we've had many discussions about this, he thinks it's okay to do and I don't. Do you happen to have any literature I can share? And do you know when it does become acceptable to retract? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756506 Sun, 09 Jul 2017 22:13:37 +0000 catomd00 2756506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have girls, but if we ever have a boy we likely will not Circ. I def plan on making sure anyone and everyone knows not to retract it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756439 Sun, 09 Jul 2017 14:40:47 +0000 littlejoy 2756439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a quick note about not retracting it would be totally appropriate ... We have a girl, but there have been times where I've had to just mention diaper care (like if she has diaper rash, or when I kept finding poop in her butt - they weren't being thorough enough when wiping). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756277 Sat, 08 Jul 2017 16:14:17 +0000 Grace 2756277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't said anything about my 3 week old. His penis is so tiny and there's not anything obvious to retract, so I'm not sure what would possess a person to try it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756136 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 18:06:46 +0000 erinbaderin 2756136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have said nothing to nobody (ugh, the grammar!) and have never been asked any questions about either of my uncircumcised boys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756131 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 17:16:24 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2756131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely suggest mentioning it, as I am a nurse at a children's hospital and many of my coworkers don't know you aren't supposed to retract! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756111 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:54:23 +0000 MrsBucky 2756111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We addressed questions as needed and asked caregivers if they were familiar with it before leaving him in their care. My MIL also mentioned that she was told to retract for her eldest which she also described as torture. I had to ask the pediatrician how to care for it as well, and was surprised to learn it may not retract on its own till puberty! I'm still puzzling over how to teach him a change in self care at that point.... 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756109 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:47:50 +0000 renee0106 2756109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've said nothing to daycare or my parents and have never really had questions.</p> <p>I know my MIL had mentioned something once about she was told to do the retraction technique decades ago and she called it "penis torture." Lol. I just told her there's nothing we're supposed to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756107 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 15:44:17 +0000 MsMini 2756107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Disclaimer: I'm a nurse so I am generally pretty comfortable and frank about discussing body care etc! I did make sure anyone doing diaper changes knew not to retract the foreskin andvto just "wipe it like you would a finger". Retraction was taught to people decades ago and is the reason so many boys "needed circumcision" as children/young adults, because they ended up with scar tissue. I think it's generally a very good idea to make sure it is communicated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756084 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:59:23 +0000 Pollywog 2756084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've said nothing to daycare, it is pretty common. I did tell my mom to leave it alone. I treated it as no big deal and so far there have been no issues </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-give-other-caregivers-instructions-on-caring-for-your-intact-son#post-2756080 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:47:53 +0000 Revel 2756080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're expecting baby boy at the end of August, and don't plan to circumsize. Wondering how much detail we need to go into with our moms and eventually daycare or nanny on cleaning and diaper changes? Most of what I've read has said essentially "leave it alone," no need for any extra cleaning versus a girl or circumsized boy. So maybe that's sufficient? Reading about forced retraction has me 😨😨😨 </p>