A circumcision is the removal of the foreskin. The foreskin is the skin at the end of the penis forming a hood over the head of the penis (the glans).
Newborn Services
Circumcision
Circumcision is a procedure to remove the foreskin of the penis to expose the glans permanently. Around 20% of boys in Australia are circumcised while, around the world, the number sits at around 30%. This is mostly the result of religious and cultural practices. There are a number of reasons you may want your son circumcised. It’s important to note this is your decision, and we respect your right to choose what’s right for your son. It is a simple operation which can be performed in the first few weeks after birth with local anaesthetic.
Guy has performed hundreds of neonatal circumcisions over twenty years. He prefers to use the plastibel ™ technique. This method avoids the use of scalpels and involves a specially-formed plastic bell being placed around the glans and a ring then placed around the base of the foreskin. This then cuts off the blood supply to the foreskin and allows the foreskin to drop off naturally after seven to ten days.

To Circumcise Or Not
There are arguments for or against circumcision, and it’s fair to say even the medical profession has quite differing views.
In the USA the Centers for Disease Control and College of Paediatrics both suggest a distinct health advantage to circumcision. In the UK, the College of Physicians don’t support this view.
It comes down to your preference and what you believe is right for your son.
Guy is able to talk you through all the reasons for and against circumcision and can provide perspectives based on his extensive experience with the surgery and with other families who have been faced with the same experience.

Circumcisions For Older Boys
Circumcisions can be performed at any age although, the older the boy is, this is usually only done for health reasons. For example, a small percentage of boys require it due to complications from infections, or dues to scarring of the meatus (the hole at the end of the penis).
If the boy is older, he will require a general anaesthetic.
Please note: Guy does not perform circumcisions on older boys, but can recommend a highly skilled paediatric surgeon should you require one.

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Tongue Tie
The Frenulum Lingua is a small piece of skin which attaches the bottom of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. It helps stablise the tongue, making it easier to swallow and plays a role in eating as well as helping us shape sounds and words.
A small percentage of babies (around 3%) have a shorter than normal frenulum which ties their tongue more tightly to the mouth, making it more difficult for the baby to move their tongue. This can influence how well they can breast feed. Tongue tie varies from baby to baby and can be moderate to severe.
There are a number of signs your baby might have a tongue tie, but it is always best to confirm any observation with an assessment by a qualified Lactation. They will be able to determine if your baby has a tongue tie and if it is contributing to feeding issues.

The Signs
- Not being able to poke their tongue out
- The tip of the tongue has a v shape
- The tip of the tongue looks heart shaped
- The baby makes a clicky sound when trying to breast feed
- Your baby comes off the nipple often during feeding
- Your baby swallows a lot of air if you’re bottle feeding
- Has little weight gain
- Your nipple looks creased after feeding

Tongue tie can be addressed quite easily
It involves a simple snip of the frenulum to free up the tongue. There is no need for a local anaesthetic. And it has a very low risk of complications.
Guy will consult with a lactation specialist to determine the severity of the tongue tie and to identify the best way to address the issue.
If you’d like further information – the Australian Breastfeeding Association has a very informative page which will help. (https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/tongue-tie)
