Q&A: Should I have my newborn son circumcised?

While it is true that there are some potential medical benefits, circumcision is considered an elective procedure that is not thought to be essential to a baby's health. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends that parents decide whether or not to circumcise by taking into account what is in the best interests of their child, including medical, religious, cultural, and ethnic traditions. That said, it's good to be aware that circumcision is considered more risky if done later, so ideally parents should decide if they're going to have their sons circumcised before (or right after) their baby is born.

If and when newborns boys are circumcised, the AAP also recommends the routine use of "procedural analgesia"—in other words, that some appropriate form of pain medicine be given just prior to and/or during the procedure. I encourage you to look up additional information from the AAP at www.healthychildren.org and discuss your options with your obstetrician and/or pediatrician.