# Care Guide for a child's uncircumsized penis **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169 "2019-06-07T16:21:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169/1 "2019-06-07T16:21:52Z")
OK I have a 6 month boy, he’s uncircumsized. I am circumsized, along with everyone I know. American which explains all that. It seems nearly impossible to differentiate between facts and opinions on how to care for his penis. EVERYTHING we’ve read online says not to retract the foreskin. Our nurse practitioner actually did so and said it should be done (gently). Do you retract it or not? Do you need to clean under the foreskin, or is it selfcleaning to an extent. I’d really like a medical resource that we can look at and trust for help with how to understand and make sure he stays healthy from a baby up to the point of growing up and anything I should know. Anecdotal info is helpful too Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169/2 "2019-06-07T16:41:57Z")
[Mayo Clinic says don’t.](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/uncircumcised-penis/faq-20058327) [WebMD says don’t.](https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/your-newborn-boys-genitals-care-of-penis) If you are still unsure, you may want to consult another medical health practitioner to get their opinion on the necessity for your child. My understanding is that a baby boy’s foreskin is functionally a part of his penis and retracting it can tear and cause injury. Hence, I assume the NP’s admonition of gently. I am not a doctor, do not take medical advice from strangers on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169/3 "2019-06-07T17:09:07Z")
In the UK, circumcision, while not rare, is not the norm. The advice from the NHS is: > [@](#): > > Most uncircumcised baby boys have a foreskin that won’t pull back (retract) because it’s still attached to the glans. > > This is perfectly normal for about the first 2 to 6 years. By around the age of 2, the foreskin should start to separate naturally from the glans. > > The foreskin of some boys can take longer to separate, but this doesn’t mean there’s a problem – it’ll just detach at a later stage. > > Never try to force your child’s foreskin back before it’s ready because it may be painful and damage the foreskin. > > [Circumcision in boys - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/circumcision-in-boys/) Of course, you should wash it and check it at bath time; if it looks sore or inflamed, get advice from a medical professional. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169/4 "2019-06-07T18:51:09Z")
Leave it be, eventually he’ll figure it out on his own. I distinctly recall the day when my son’s foreskin did its trick–he was two or so and came running out of his room without pants hollering “Mommy, look!” as he skinned it back and forth right in my face as I was lying on the couch. He was so proud of himself. Giving the kid regular baths will soak away any blech until the foreskin detaches–basically, just don’t worry about it! ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169/5 "2019-06-07T19:07:47Z")
Yeah, you don’t need to do anything special. Wash his penis gently when bathing like you’d wash any other body part, and soaking in warm water will do the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-guide-for-a-childs-uncircumsized-penis/835169/6 "2019-06-07T19:15:05Z")
Anecdotal? I’m uncircumcised, being born in the UK. I was about 4 or 5 years old when my dad explained to me how to retract and ensure cleanliness under my foreskin. I remember it, and certainly do this every time I bathe or shower. There was no retracting and cleaning prior to that.