Heather you have thought of all the most important points.  I don`t know 
whether the circumcision is taking place in the family`s home or in a venue 
with a lot of people.  When I lived in the UK we always did it at home just 
with grandparents and closest family, but in Israel sometimes the 
grandparents invite the whole world for a sit-down meal and this is only a 
week after the birth. This is very stressful for the baby and his parents 
and when we discuss this in prenatal courses, I always suggest doing the big 
party a few weeks later, when the mother too will be more recovered from the 
birth.
However if the circumcision takes place in a large family gathering the 
parents should make sure there is a quiet private room where the mother can 
take the baby afterwards.  Somebody should be appointed to bring food and 
drink to the mother so that she doesn`t have to leave the baby or bring him 
into a crowded room.  The baby will get much comfort from the breast milk 
itself and from the skin-to-skin contact with his mother.
There is time before the ceremony for her to meet the family but try and 
avoid people crowding into the private room afterwards.
If it is at home it is much quieter but the mother can still ask people to 
leave her in peace with the baby.
We understood it was always traditional to soak a swab in wine for the baby 
to suck during the circumcision but with our last grandson, the same mohel 
whom we had at all our circumcisions asked us to prepare grape juice.  And 
of course breastfeed immediately afterwards.

The first night the baby is often fretful because when he urinates the wound 
is sensitive but when the circumcision is performed by an experienced 
registered "mohel" (ritual circumciser), it is amazing how quickly it heals. 
The next day the mohel returns to check, the baby is given a bath and 
hopefully there is no more discomfort. While it is a celebration in Jewish 
ritual, the day is often very traumatic and worrying for the parents so the 
focus should be on giving them as much support as possible.

An interesting medical point - in the days of Abraham who was wise enough to 
know that eight days was the optimum time for circumcision because the 
baby`s blood-clotting mechanism is at its peak for the first time since the 
birth? - nobody gave Vit. K. to newborns then.
Mazeltov!
Wendy Blumfield

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Heather Kay" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 5:21 AM
Subject: Re: breastfeeding & circumcision


Hi Ladies,
I got some interesting information and wanted to share it. This is a
collaborative of the ideas sent to me off list.

breastfeeding & circumcision
Schedule circumcision to be done just prior to when the newborn would have
the next feed so that he can be bf immediately afterwards and soothed.
Colostrum and breastmilk are pain-relieving and have an analgesic effect.
Newborn can be distracted by a cloth soaked in some wine or breastmilk
during the procedure.
Post circumcision:
Newborn ideally should stay with the Mother afterwards and not be passed
among relatives. This is a good time to "wear" the baby.
Use some creativity with the positioning so not to put pressure on the
tender area.
The football hold and the side lying positions are the best ones for the
baby during the first 24 hours after circumcision
Diaper loosely afterwards as the diaper can hurt the baby by pressing
against his penis. Use ointment liberally as directed.
Some mothers have found that the baby was not breastfeeding as well during
the first 6 hrs period and may withdrawl into a deep sleep. Mothers should
continue to offer the breast every few hours until nb is ready to bf again.

Is there any further ideas or comments that I should include?

Thanks to those who replied.

Best,
Heather


*******************************************

Heather Kay, BS, IBCLC, RLC

Princeton Lactation Consultants, LLC

Princeton, NJ 08542

office: 609-921-3400

[log in to unmask]

http://healthprofs.com/504190

office & home visits by appointment



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