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When's the Best Time to Circumcise?

Here's why time is of the essence if you decide to have your son circumcised

by: Nancy Ripton

ircumcision is a controversial issue for parents and doctors alike. (The Canadian Paediatric Society refers to it as a "non-therapeutic" procedure because it's not medically necessary, although some families chose to circumcise for religious, social or cultural reasons.) But when you're deciding whether or not to have your son circumcised, it’s best to make the decision before you give birth. Here’s why:

When to Circumcise

The best time for infant circumcision is when your baby is between 24 and 72 hours old. (Doctors don’t recommend circumcision before that in case your child has an underlying medical condition.) It’s best to book your child’s circumcision as soon as the attending pediatrician or family doctor gives you the okay.

In the first few days after birth, infants tend to bleed less and fuss less during a circumcision. Soon after birth the blood vessels in and around the penis increase in size and the foreskin changes and starts to grow over the head of the penis. “The longer you wait, the higher the risk your child will require stitches to stop the bleeding,” says Dr. Rui Martins, a Toronto-based doctor who performs circumcisions.