Reply #88: Father of two sons ... a comparison on the pain issue [View All]

[phaseolus]

I was leaning towards non-circumcision when they were born (under the theory of avoiding unnecessary cutting or pain,) but not a strong preference. My wife insisted they be circumcised, though. So they were.

First son, no apparent pain or discomfort. Second son, a little discomfort for a few days, but still much less than he had from the healing umbilical cord.

I realize this is a small sample size to extrapolate from but I gotta believe that what babies experience from circumcision is on average less painful than the discomfort of the healing umbilical scar while the stub of the cord is still semi-attached & wiggling around.

Yes, I realize that the umbilical thing is unavoidable and circumcision isn't. I just have sincere doubts that circumcision pain is some sort of lasting psychological trauma.