Circumcision is a practice most mothers wish for their male babies, but guidance must be sought from surgeons and pediatricians on how to effectively carry out the procedure.

One of the most important things to watch according to medics is the timing of the circumcision.

"The best time to circumcise your baby is during the first six weeks after birth. However, it is not a must since doctors have to first check the baby to know if there is no bleeding tendency, or if the baby is ready for circumcision,” says Dr Edgar Kalimba, a pediatrician at King Faisal Hospital, Kigali.

He adds that the circumcision procedure is easy since they use a local anesthesia where they only inject the upper part of the baby’s penis to control the pain.

Kalimba also says if the baby is not circumcised in the first six weeks, it is advisable to wait until four years because here the child is old enough to be explained to why they should be circumcised.

Circumcision reduces infections since it is easy for bacteria to attack the foreskin of the penis if the baby is not circumcised, he says.

"The advantage in circumcising the baby early is because it is easy, heals fast and there is no need of general anesthesia unlike in grown up children where healing delays and is more painful,” Kalimba adds.

Dr Luis Ivan Baro, a pediatrician at Baho International Hospital, recommends that to have a successful circumcision, surgeons should do it when the structures of the baby’s penis are well defined and at the age where the child has received the first vaccine, especially against tetanus.

Care

"After circumcision, gauze with a lubricant like vaseline is applied, but is advisable to use vaseline gauze because it prevents the gauze from sticking to the glans penis. However, the gauze should be removed and replaced with every diaper change for 24 hours. The lubricant can be applied for three to five days,” says Dr Bwiza Muhire, a pediatrician at King Faisal Hospital, Kigali.

Muhire adds that mothers should clean the circumcised part with warm water and a cotton wool ball, once or twice a day to avoid infections.

Kalimba explains that if the baby is not circumcised, it is easy to contract diseases like urinary tract infections, balanitis (which affects the foreskin sometimes due to diaper irritation), and phimosis.

Muhire says penile cancer is also a high risk that comes along due to non circumcision, noting that the earlier the baby is circumcised the better they are protected from danger.

Kalimba says mothers should ensure that stool does not get in touch with the healing part of the baby, maintain good nappy care, and apply a simple antiseptic daily until the wound heals.