Right after circumcision, the tip of the penis is usually wrapped with gauze coated with petroleum jelly to prevent the wound from sticking to the diaper. Gently wipe the tip clean with warm water every time you change his diaper, then apply petroleum jelly to the tip so it doesn’t stick to the diaper. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal within a few days, but if the redness or swelling increases or if pus-filled blisters appear, there could be an infection and you should call your baby’s doctor as soon as possible.
Umbilical cord care in newborns is also crucial. Some doctors recommend swabbing the area with rubbing alcohol until the cord stump dries up and falls off, generally within 10 days to 3 weeks, but others recommend leaving the area alone. Consult your child’s doctor to determine what he or she prefers.
Avoid submerging your baby’s naval area in water until the cord stump falls off and the area is completely healed. The cord stump will normally change color from yellow to brown or black until it falls off. Call your doctor if the navel area reddens or if a foul odor or discharge develops.