When it comes to parenting, there’s no shortage of advice. From sleep training to school lunches, everyone’s got an opinion. But when it comes to caring for little boys and their foreskins, misinformation and poor guidance are leaving many families confused, and in some cases, it’s causing real harm.
Paediatric Urologist Professor Paddy Dewan knows this better than anyone. As a children’s “plumbing” specialist, he sees the fallout of bad advice every week. So, let’s cut through the myths and set the record straight for parents.
“I see boys with infections, pain, and sometimes needing surgery, all because of a lack of common sense when it comes to foreskin care,”
The Problem with Misinformation
Social media is packed with “expert” videos and posts that make parents second-guess themselves. One popular video even claimed that “the only person who should touch a boy’s penis is the owner.”
Sounds neat and simple, right? But in reality, it’s dangerous advice. Babies can’t clean themselves.
Parents wipe bottoms, clean ears, trim nails, and yes, need to clean under a baby’s foreskin too.
Foreskin infections
So what is the real result of following misleading information? Boys ending up with scarred penises, teenagers too scared to retract their foreskin, and babies admitted to hospital with preventable urinary infections. And sometimes, even doctors hesitate to check properly, missing the real issue altogether.
So, What’s Normal in a foreskin?
Just like every child is unique, so too is every foreskin. Here’s what Professor Paddy Dewan says parents should look out for:
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Most boys are born with the foreskin covering the end of the penis (the glans).
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When you gently unroll it, it should open like a little rosebud.
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If instead you see a dome-shaped end with only a pinhole opening, your child likely needs treatment. In most cases, that’s a simple course of betamethasone steroid ointment twice a day for four weeks.
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A long, funnel-shaped foreskin isn’t necessarily a problem, as long as there are no infections.
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Ballooning of the foreskin while weeing can be normal, as long as urine empties properly.
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A yellowish lump under the foreskin is usually smegma – totally normal and part of the natural separation process.
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But if the foreskin becomes red, swollen, sore, or discharging, that’s balanitis and needs antibiotics – sometimes urgently.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
Many mums and dads are nervous about touching their son’s penis, worried they might hurt him. That’s completely understandable, but avoiding it altogether can cause more issues down the track.
One of the biggest mistakes is waiting until there’s already an infection before paying attention to foreskin care. Another is assuming all ballooning or tight foreskins will “fix themselves.” While many do, some don’t, and leaving it too long can lead to scarring or surgery that could have been avoided.
The Commonsense Approach
According to Professor Paddy Dewan, good foreskin care is straightforward. It’s not about being forceful or harsh. It’s about being gentle, consistent, and normalising the habit so it becomes second nature.
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For babies and toddlers: Gently unroll the foreskin at every bath and every nappy change for cleaning.
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For older boys: Teach them that looking after their foreskin is just another part of hygiene, like brushing teeth or wiping bottoms.
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For teens: Nag them gently to “roll it back when you wee”, but know when to stop reminding (and definitely not in public!).
Why It Matters
Poor foreskin care doesn’t just cause discomfort; it can impact a child’s confidence, their body image, and even their long-term health. No parent wants their son to face unnecessary surgery or feel embarrassed about a perfectly normal part of their body simply because they were told the wrong thing.
The bottom line? Parents shouldn’t be scared to care for their sons. With the right information, foreskin management is simple, safe, and an important part of everyday hygiene.
Resources for Parents
If you’d like more detail (or to check what Professor Dewan really says, without the social media spin), you can visit his resources:
Takeaway for Parents
Foreskin management might feel awkward to talk about, but ignoring it doesn’t help anyone. The key is gentle, regular care from the start – and knowing when something’s normal versus when it needs treatment.
“The sensible, commonsense way to keep a boy safe is to gently unroll the foreskin at the time of bathing and EVERY nappy change, then, as he grows, ensure you nag the young fella to clean his teeth, wipe his bottom after a poo, and roll his foreskin back every time he wees.”
Simple advice. Lifelong benefits.
Professor Paddy Dewan is a leading Paediatric Urologist, or as he likes to call it, a kids’ plumbing specialist, who has spent decades helping families navigate everything from foreskin care to more complex urinary and genital health issues.
He’s passionate about cutting through the myths and misinformation that often leave parents confused, offering down-to-earth, commonsense advice that keeps kids healthy and out of the hospital. With a warm, approachable style and a wealth of experience, Professor Dewan is dedicated to empowering parents with the knowledge they need to confidently care for their boys.
