Circumcision
Care of the foreskin
Baby boys are born with a fold of skin (called a 'foreskin' or 'prepuce') covering the head of their penis (known as the 'glans'). A baby boy's foreskin is naturally adhered to the head of their penis from birth. This gradually separates on its own by the time the child is about 2 to 5 years of age. In a few boys is will remain attached until puberty (this is not a problem).
The foreskin of a baby cannot be pulled all the way back over the head of their penis (unless force is used). If the foreskin is forced before it is ready, it will hurt the baby and may cause bleeding and scarring underneath the foreskin. This is not to say that some foreskins can be gently pulled partially back before this time, and boys will often do this themselves as toddlers, without any problems.
The foreskin of a baby boy and preschooler has been said to need "as much care and attention as their elbow!" In other words, besides just washing over the outside of their penis, nothing more needs to be done. The baby's foreskin should never be pulled back in an effort to clean under it, until it is naturally moving back with ease.
The foreskin will naturally retract back over the head of the boy's penis around about when he is 3 to 5 years old (sometimes a little older or younger). Boys of this age usually become very aware of their penises and will hold, play and pull on them frequently. This is normal and little boys will not usually hurt themselves while doing this.
Once you notice that your son is easily pulling back his foreskin (or you wish to try and gently do this yourself at around this age), it can be time to start teaching your son about the daily care of his penis. Many parents see this as a part of the child's overall hygiene education - just another aspect of cleanliness, along with cleaning their teeth or wiping their bottom.
When your boy is in the bath, or under the shower, part of washing their body is also gently pulling back their foreskin to rinse the head of their penis. Avoid the use of soaps under the foreskin because this can irritate the sensitive skin of the head of the penis. You will notice that a white creamy paste (called 'smegma') will naturally form under the foreskin after a while. This is normal (as vaginal discharge is normal for girls) and is simple washed away daily when the boy bathes or showers.