[waiting68]

My husband and I were just placed with a baby who was born at 32 weeks gestation. He is now 8 weeks old and 5 lbs 13 oz. We have a biological son who is 6 who was circumcised at birth, but our new baby isn't. At the time our first son was circumcised we didn't know what we know now. The doctor said he could do it in the office, but it seems so barbaric to me now. My delima is that I am concerned that if we decide not to go through with it he might someday wonder why his older brother and daddy is circumcised and he isn't. I just feel as though it may be an unnecessary procedure with unnecessary risks. Am I just being an overprotective mother and should just go through with it? Please help!!!!!

[melon161]

I just wanted to say congratulations on your new baby. I can't really give you any advice. My husband is circumsized but my two boys aren't, I don't worry about what they'll think later. I'll deal with that when it comes.

Stacy

[m & m]

Emily, Our son we brought home 5 days old(unlike your preemie) he was not circumsised either. But my husband and our son were both. We did not want him to later think he was different from dad and brother. We had to wait a year because our doctor would not do it by the time he saw him at 10 days old. It was a very traumatic surgery for me. Now he is great. Everyone must make a decision on what they feel is right. Would I do it again if I could??? Knowing how bad I felt...I don't know? You and your husband must make that decision. Is is better that we did it now rather than him coming to us later and saying he wanted the surgery. It saves him pain now. Thank heavens our son won't remember the pain. Okay, I am rambling at this point. Good luck on your decision.

Michelle

[rredhead]

I'm still waiting, so take this with many grains of salt. My neurologist shares a space with 2 pediatricians. He is notoriously late for appointments. I sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes, listening to a baby down the hall screaming. He was wailing, and I kept thinking "Poor baby, he must be in pain. I wonder what's going on?" When I was brought into the doctor's office to wait, the baby was still screaming. I waited in there for about 15 more minutes. During the appointment, I said to my doctor, "What's wrong with the baby?" He replied that the baby was being circumcised.

I decided on the spot, if we have a baby boy, we will not be circumcising him. Babies do feel pain. Circumcision is not a medical necessity. One day, if your son asks, you can simply say that you didn't want to put him through that.

Hope this helps a bit, anyway!

-Rmc

[mommieof2cuties]

We had my son done when he was seven days old and he is fine. He really only cried for a second as he was given something to numb the area (I would look into that) My friend waited till her son was six, yes six to get it done and he was put under for that and for something to do with his belly button, he wouldn't wear underwear for a week, but is fine. My DH is also done, and I have been told that it is cleanner when it is done since nothing can get caught up under things etc. But again it is up to you to do what is best, but since both your DH and son are I would go ahead and do it.

God Bless,
Summer

[poullafouca]

Our nine month old baby boy is intact. Daddy isn't. We are all comfortable. There is so much evidence to support leaving that poor little body part alone. I come from the UK, circumcision is pretty uncommon there and you don't hear endless stories of lack of hygeine or infected genitalia. The foreskin is rich in nerve endings, and ideally should be left alone.

Have confidence in your decision. You are doing your little son a huge favor in leaving his body the way nature intended.

poulla

[Linny]

I can say that I used to think this was something that just HAD to be done. However, after one adoption (and not being able to do it right away), and more questioning, I'm a person that would now agree with 'poulla'.
There are many articles that give reasons as to why it's unnecessary. And, as I understand it, the majority of countries don't do it at all. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong....)

Sincerely,

Linny

[Alyssa_Gadsby]

I mostly hear about it being much cleaner to have it done and my hubby and I plan to do it if we are able to adopt a child who is young enough. However, I believe that is a call you and your husband should make on your own. What is right for you?

[tobeafamily]

Look, unless there's a medical reason - such as a too-tight foreskin, this is a cosmetic procedure on a high-risk infant. With ANY surgical procedure there is a risk for infection. Plus, it's painful and that stresses an infant.

When our son was born, full term and almost 8 pounds, he was not circumcised. His father is. Now he's 3 1/2 and just a few weeks ago asked why daddy's penis looked different from his. My husband said "well, do our faces look the same?" No. "Do our eyes look the same?" No. "Does our hair look the same?" No. "So it's OK if our penises don't look the same, right? No two people are exactly alike. That's what makes us each special."

We figure if he, as an adult, wishes to have this done to himself because he doesn't like the way his penis looks, so be it. Otherwise, we're leaving him the way the Universe made him.

JMHO

Regina

[celebratewewill]

as a nurse, i have watched a handful of circumcisions...and i will NOT circumcize my child unless there is a medical reason to do so. just my opinion, but i'm sure if mommies and daddies had to watch them be done, many would not agree to one. god it ripped my heart out. yes, babies feel pain--i think the only difference is that babies comfort quicker after pain is induced than children or adults, so people assume that they do not feel pain the same way.


ps-i have read that uncircumcized males report that sex is "better," although i'm sure NO mommies want to hear that!!

jmho