At first glance, the idea of removing the foreskin from a baby’s penis soon after they are born can seem incredibly painful. Some cultural and religious customs require it, but for most other patients, circumcision of their newborn is an elective procedure that has benefits but also concerns that parents should address with their pediatric urologic surgeon and circumcision specialist.
One of the most common questions we are asked, and rightly so, is whether the infant feels pain during circumcision:
The short answer, of course, is that any time skin or tissue is removed, there is nerve involvement, which will cause discomfort or pain if no anesthetic is used. That said, circumcision is not as painful as it might seem, mainly because of the speed of the procedure and the resilience of infants during this time. Any discomfort may be exacerbated by a fussy infant – a very normal occurrence as they get used to life outside the womb. Further, just like older patients, babies will have different tolerances for pain, and some may even let out what seems to be a painful scream simply because they are being handled by someone other than their mother or are uncomfortable for different reasons.
Pain Management
Most importantly, speak to your circumcision specialist about pain management. There is the option for the child to be administered a topical local anesthetic or an injected nerve block, both of which are very safe. This will improve discomfort dramatically and help your little one through the process. For the next few days, if you see your newborn having discomfort, your urologist will also give you guidance on administering Tylenol / acetaminophen to provide him with and come to make them more comfortable.
Post Circumcision Care
After the circumcision, how you care for the wound also makes a difference in how comfortable your child will be. Be vigilant about preparing the penis during diaper changes. Using plenty of petroleum jelly (Vaseline or Aquaphor) helps prevent the circumcised penis from sticking to the diaper and causing additional pain.
Proper bathing and hygiene habits like removing any fecal matter should it touch the newly circumcised penis can reduce the likelihood of infection.
Whenever handling a wound, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to minimize the risk of passing on any bacteria.
The Bottom Line
Once you’ve decided on a circumcision, feel free to use us as a resource for questions, including allaying any fears about whether the circumcision will be painful for your child. While all children are different and have different pain and discomfort thresholds, newborn circumcision pain can be managed very effectively both during and after the procedure. Post-procedure care ensures that infection and other potentially painful postoperative complications are minimized or avoided.
Contact The Newborn Circumcision Center to learn more about your options.