Should I Circumcise? The Pros and Cons of Infant Circumcision





New to the subject of infant circumcision and the benefits of the prepuce (foreskin)? The following are resources many families have found useful when looking at the subject for the first time. They are meant to be a starting point into deeper investigation and further research that is widely available today. If you only have a short period of time to spend on this topic, a blue star marks films with physicians' statements who are in practice today, as well as medical professionals' materials. If you're interested in joining in conversation with others, the following groups are safe spaces to bring up related questions: Saving Our Sons CommunityIntact: Healthy, Happy, WholeRaising BoysIt's a Boy!Peaceful Intact EducationPeaceful Parenting Community

★ Functions of the Foreskin: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/09/functions-of-foreskin-purposes-of.html

★ Foreskin and its 16+ Functions (not 'just skin'): http://www.SavingSons.org/2015/09/foreskin-and-its-16-functions-not-just.html

★ Intact vs. Circumcised: A Significant Difference in the Adult Penis: http://www.DrMomma.org/2011/08/intact-or-circumcised-significant.html

Why did circumcision start as we now know it in the U.S.? Hear from some original doctors on the matter:
A Brief History in Physicians' Own Wordshttp://www.DrMomma.org/2007/05/circumcision-brief-history-in.html
Circumcision to Reduce Men's Pleasurehttp://www.SavingSons.org/2012/07/circumcision-to-reduce-mens-sexual.html

★ Are there medical benefits to circumcision? Read national medical statements from around the world: http://www.DrMomma.org/2014/08/medical-organization-position.html

Physicians' thoughts within the medical field todayFB.com/IntactCare
• Notably, Dr. Morton Frisch: Time for U.S. Parents to Reconsider the Acceptability of Infant Male Circumcisionhttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/time-for-us-parents-to-reconsider-the-acceptability-of-infant-male-circumcision_b_7031972.html
• Peer reviewed research (studies published in medical journals): http://www.DrMomma.org/2007/01/circumcision-studies.html

Well researched BOOKS written on the subject:
Marked in Your Fleshhttps://amzn.to/2ONyB34
Circumcision: A Historyhttps://amzn.to/2vkxwrk
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Circumcisionhttps://amzn.to/2O8R5d5
Doctors Re-examine Circumcisionhttps://amzn.to/2OdfSwN
Circumcision, The Hidden Traumahttps://amzn.to/2OcqWKt
Circumcision Exposedhttps://amzn.to/2viVpQ7
The Foreskin and Why You Should Keep Ithttps://amzn.to/2M4qiBl
Circumcision: A Jewish Perspectivehttps://amzn.to/2AJju7C
Celebrating Brit Shalomhttps://amzn.to/2nc0eWN

 VIDEO: Dr. Ryan McAllister Georgetown University video lecture, Elephant in the Hospital (also included on DVD in the Saving Our Sons Info Pack): http://www.library.georgetown.edu/gelardin/showcase/entries/circumcision-elephant-hospital

 VIDEO: Dr. Christopher Guest, Circumcision: The Whole Story: http://youtu.be/SeAXantm4tE

★ VIDEO: American Circumcision documentary on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81000861

VIDEO: Whose Body, Whose Rights? Award-winning circumcision documentary: http://www.SavingSons.org/2017/01/whose-body-whose-rights-circumcision.html

VIDEO: The Real Reason You're Circumcised from College Humor: Collegehumor.com/video/6966989/the-real-reason-youre-circumcised

VIDEO: Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t Circumcision (Season 3, Episode 1): https://www.bitchute.com/video/9XgdXGUaGy5H/

★ Intact Care: Drmomma.org/2009/06/how-to-care-for-intact-penis-protect.html
Circumcision Care: Nocirc.org/publish/pamphlet5.html

The two most common forms of circumcision in North American today: 
• Gomco: http://www.Savingsons.org/2011/01/neonatal-circumcision-video-for.html
• Plastibell: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/08/plastibell-infant-circumcision.html [Note that Plastibell is the type of circumcision most often mistakenly referred to as a 'no-cutting' or 'no-blood' method.]

Outcome Statistics (Circumcised vs. Intact): http://www.DrMomma.org/2010/01/cut-vs-intact-outcome-statistics.html

Men speakhttp://www.SavingSons.org/2017/04/men-speak.html | MenMatterToo.org/men
• Facebook conversations by men: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.487363627949430.115346.166998263319303

Over 250,000 men are restoring some of what was lost to circumcision. It improves sexual pleasure in a wide variety of ways. Google Foreskin Restoration and check out any of these resources: http://www.Savingsons.org/2009/10/foreskin-restoration.html

Psychology Today article collection: http://Savingsons.org/2011/10/psychology-today-circumcision-series.html

For those with older sons who were circumcised: 
Keeping Future Sons Intact Public Page: FB.com/FutureSons 
Discussion Group: FB.com/groups/FutureSons
Articles written by those with circumcised sons: http://www.DrMomma.org/2010/05/i-circumcised-my-son-healing-from.html 

What does this have to do with WOMEN? 
• Sex As Nature Intended It: SexAsNatureIntendedIt.com
  Book by same title: https://amzn.to/2AEyUde
• How Male Circumcision Impacts Your Love Life: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/10/how-male-circumcision-impacts-your-love.html
• Women's Health and Male Circumcision Resource List: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/07/how-male-circumcision-impacts-women.html

Faith Considerations on Circumcision
• Resources by/for Jews, Christians, and Muslims: http://www.DrMomma.org/2011/01/faith-considerations-on-circumcision.html
• For Jews - Intact Jewish Network
• For Muslims - Intact Muslim Network 

HIV/AIDS and the African Trials: http://www.DrMomma.org/2014/01/hiv-aids-circumcision-resources.html

50 Reasons to Leave it Alone: http://www.DrMomma.org/2010/11/50-reasons-to-leave-it-alone.html 

If you'd like to join a community of parents (many with both circumcised and intact sons) to ask questions while making your decision, you are welcome to the Intact: Healthy, Happy, Whole group. Everyone is welcome to this safe-space, non-venting community group. The Saving Our Sons Community Group is for those who are already pro-intact advocates, and families raising intact sons.



For Sharing Educational Items

★ The Info Pack (includes a DVD with several videos and full length articles); the smaller Expecting Pack; Postcards for a Friend; or have a professional exchange online correspondence via email or Facebook message by writing to SavingSons(at)gmail.com

Informational items (cards, stickers, bracelets, etc.): Etsy.com/shop/SavingOurSons

Questions? 
Please feel free to email SavingSons(at)gmail.com any time. Several clinicians volunteer time to field questions, and if we're not able to answer, we'll seek out a place to go for further information.

If you find these resources to be of use, please help support Saving Our Sons and work we do. We continue solely by volunteers' time and generosity. See current needs at: http://www.SavingSons.org/p/sponsor-son-waiting-list.html or give directly: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VQSSUQFGLFZXQ


The Penis: Sex Education 101 with Marilyn Milos











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Breastfeeding and Circumcision Resources


Keep calm. Latch on. And keep him INTACT.

August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week and is the perfect opportunity for outreach with mothers who wish to nurse their babies to be born this year. Being honest, and fully disclosing the hazards that genital cutting often poses for a breastfeeding relationship is key to parents making informed decisions for the sake of their son. Here we highlight a variety of resources that relate to the intersecting topics, as well as showcase some images that have been used during past years for awareness-raising.

Happy World Breastfeeding Week! And thank you for saving our sons. ❤

• Breastfeeding and Circumcision: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/11/breastfeeding-circumcision.html

• La Leche League: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding on Circumcision: http://www.DrMomma.org/2012/06/womanly-art-of-breastfeeding.html

• The Effects of Circumcision on Breastfeeding: http://ww.DrMomma.org/2009/12/effects-of-circumcision-on.html

• Natural Mother Magazine publication: Circumcision Harms Breastfeeding (p. 103-107): https://issuu.com/naturalmothermagazine/docs/march_april_2015_issue


• Circumcision Increases Breastfeeding Complications: http://www.DrMomma.org/2009/11/circumcision-leads-to-breastfeeding.html

• Breastfeeding / Circumcision Info Cards to share: https://www.etsy.com/listing/496041345/breastfeeding-circumcision-info-cards?ref=shop_home_active_4

• Circumcision and Breastfeeding [Circumstitions] Circumstitions.com/Nursing.html

• Circumcision, Breastfeeding and Bonding [CIRP] Cirp.org/library/birth

• Circumcision / Breastfeeding advocacy shirts: http://madebymomma.spreadshirt.com/breastfeeding-C46979/p2

• Breastfeeding Group (with pro-intact foundation): FB.com/groups/Breastfed





There's nothing quite so yummy as warm milk from my mummy.

A successful breastfeeding relationship best begins when a newborn feels secure, comforted, and close to his mother.

circumcision harms breastfeeding




Breastfeeding awareness and advocacy t-shirts and onesies without mark-up at Made By Momma: MadeByMomma.spreadshirt.com/breastfeeding-C46979



Breastfeeding delivers the protection against urinary tract infection (UTI) that has been touted as a faulty 'benefit' of circumcision. Breastfeeding prevents UTIs - circumcision does not!


In my womb, I carried you.
With my breast, I fed you.
And with every fiber of my being,
I will protect you.


Breastfeeding is the biological norm.
So is intact foreskin!


Success at the breast starts with a peaceful beginning. 
Keep him safe and intact.


A baby belongs on a breast, and in a bed, NOT on a board.
Practice peaceful parenting - say NO to circumcision.


Breastfeeding provides him with everything he needs - nutrients, closeness, and protection against diseases and infections, including UTIs. The stress of circumcision can jeopardize your breastfeeding relationship and rob him of all these things. Reconsider, and learn more: IntactBaby.org/research


The trauma of circumcision can negatively impact his ability to breastfeed. Are you willing to sacrifice your breastfeeding relationship for an unnecessary (and harmful) surgery?


A newborn baby only has three needs: warmth, milk, comfort. Breastfeeding supplies all three. Circumcision can hinder each.


Skin to skin. Heart to heart. Only gentleness, from the start.


Breastfeeding is universally recommended by all medical and health organizations.
Routine infant circumcision is not recommended by any national health organization in the world.


"An innocent human being was solely dependent on me!" - Tichina Arnold
Breastfeeding and genital autonomy go hand-in-hand.


Breastfeeding for all. Circumcision for none.


"What I have been told is it's important to have that bonding latch right away." -Alicia Silverstone who is also pro-intact in her stance on the gentle care and raising of babies.


"While breastfeeding may not seem to be the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby." -Amy Sprangler  Being kept intact is also best for EVERY baby!


World Breastfeeding Week: Aug 1-7
ALL pediatric organizations in the world recommend breastfeeding.
NO pediatric health organization in the world recommends infant circumcision.

International Breastfeeding Symbol (copyright free):

International Genital Autonomy Symbol (copyright free): 
GenitalAutonomySymbol.org

Breastfeeding Mom's pack with intact materials available to send (directly or anonymously) at Etsy
See Etsy item description for updates on what is included in this Breastfeeding / Intact info pack.


Retired links from years past:

The Big Breastfeeding Coverup: Circumcision Censorship: http://lifesasaladbar.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-breastfeeding-cover-up-circumcision.html 


LLLI Breastfeeding / Circumcision Information Petition http://www.petitiononline.com/170211FM/petition.html

SaveSaveSaveSave

Support Saving Our Sons



Thank you for your gift to Saving Our Sons. Saving Our Sons carefully assesses the impact of every single dollar spent, to ensure gifts are used in the most wise way possible. By doing so we are able to make the most effective use of any donation for the sake of babies and future men saved!

Saving Our Sons is now able to accept support via Venmo: @SavingSons (last four -5116)

Your donation will be put to immediate, real-life, baby-saving use in one of the following ways: 

*Maternity, Baby, and Family Expo Registration and Materials, freely given to thousands of expecting and new families (Saving Our Sons has on-the-gound intact chapters in every U.S. state, Canada, Australia, the U.K, Africa, South Korea, and Puerto Rico). We register for and attend as many maternity, baby and family expos as we are able to raise funding for. This impact is thee most significant way to change the greatest number of new parents hearts/minds who would otherwise never receive the intact message. Expositions play a vital role in saving babies from genital cutting, and ensuring tomorrow's men remain intact, and the need for SOS expos is great. Example: the cost of one temporary billboard ($4-8K) would otherwise cover between 40-60 full maternity and baby expos, where SOS volunteers meet one-on-one with thousands of expecting mothers at each. Expo booths are by and large the most impacting steps we can take toward a future intact nation.

*Intact Info Packs, books, USB videos, intact care items, materials sent to those who've requested but cannot otherwise access them (or those who've had a relative/friend request items be sent). Most pressing are the needs for reaching families whose babies are in the NICU and remain intact, but undecided about circumcision. Our materials are quality and proven - they do change minds and hearts for those who go through them. 

*SOS Odyssey Rallies and the Intact Traveling Billboards! We reach many thousands of people with each stop along the SOS Odyssey, and the Traveling Billboards are impossible to miss. For these to happen in your area, we only need funding for gas and lodging for hosts. In most cases, $1K covers 6-8 large cities, with over 200,000+ seeing the intact message - often for their first time! SOS Odyssey FB page. To give directly toward the Traveling Billboards, and tell us you'd like the Odyssey to come to your state, please note your city/state: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QR8NM445648R2 The advantage of the SOS Odyssey and traveling billboards over a temporary, stationary billboard is that it is not ignored, is seen by thousands for a fraction of the cost, and is delivered in a pro-intact manner that we've found opens minds/hearts and evokes positive, powerful change. 

*Awareness raising rallies for genital autonomy. Saving Our Sons hosts respectful pro-autonomy rallies and info tables in front of major conventions (AAP, CDC, ACOG, International AIDS Conference, College of Nurse-Midwives) and in large cities and high traffic areas (Men's Health Week, Genital Integrity Awareness Week, The Grand Intact Stand). During these rallies we take a professional, educational approach to awareness raising and pass out hundreds of informational items each day, having countless one-on-one constructive and respectful conversations with passerbys and conference attendees. The ripple effect is great! Physicians are people too, and most have a vested interest in the wellbeing of their patients, and their personal, ethical practice. 

*Prevention Care and Don't Retract Packs for physicians. Between SOS, The Intact Network's State Chapters, and Peaceful Parenting, we receive approximately 15 reports each week of physicians or clinical staff who are forcibly retracting children, or encouraging parents to do so with their baby. These packs are put together by clinicians volunteering with SOS and the Medical Professionals for Genital Autonomy, and they are well received - often making a real change in patient protocol. We also send Prevention Care packs to physicians when a new family is going to start using their care services, so that they are well informed on intact care and normal development ahead of time. We would like to ship regardless of a family's ability to cover the $4 cost, but need people to come on board and support this effort. Also at Etsy.

*Continuation of the SavingSons.org, IntactNetwork.org, and DrMomma.org websites and the re-direction of circumcision domains back to pro-intact material. Continuing the compelling content that comes from Saving Our SonsThe Intact Network, Peaceful Parenting, and all the Intact Chapters (Intact Texas, Intact Michigan, Intact Virginia, Intact Connecticut, etc.) - regularly reaching an audience of over 350,000+ individuals, and providing advocates with gentle, research-based resources they can be confident in sharing with friends, family, clients and patients. 

By giving to Saving Our Sons, you are ensuring that every dollar goes directly into saving a baby from genital cutting. We change the cultural mindset about the intact male body and foreskin to be one that is positive and productive, and empower forward momentum as we become an INTACT nation again! 

Thank you for being an important part of this SOS mission.
Meet some of the little ones saved by SOS here.

Via Venmo: 
@SavingSons
(last four -5116)

One Time Gift:


Easy Monthly Donation:

Via Mail to:
Saving Our Sons
P.O. Box 1302
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

To give without PayPal taking a percentage:

1) Go to PayPal.com
2) Click "Send Money" and "To Friends/Family"
3) Enter SavingSons@gmail.com and the amount you wish to give.

Venmo: 
@SavingSons (last four -5116)

Sponsor a Son
The following expecting families are those in need of a sponsor. If you would like to provide materials  for a particular family on this list, please include a note with your gift of $18 or more, or email SavingSons@gmail.com We connect these families to a local educator and ensure they receive materials in hands (usually this is in the form of a book, info pack, DVD, and small supplies for their new baby - a welcoming gift packed with intact information) If you HAVE a need, please email as well. :) 

A - first baby, WI

K - second boy, mom wanting to convince dad (WV)

M- single mom in VA

*Note: NICU babies who have been born, with parents still deciding take precedence as they are closest to being cut. We try to get materials to their parents first.

Saving Our Sons' Intact Chapters
The Intact Network's Chapters use donated funds to register and host intact booths at maternity and baby expos, meeting with thousands of expecting families in the process.  Chapters operate by local volunteers with a heart for babies and donations to Saving Our Sons.

Intact Minnesota - Twin Cities Birth & Babies Expo - $74 remaining need (Updated 6.2.23) | Support MN

Intact North Carolina at NC Pride Intact Booth (Duke University Campus) - $85 remaining need for registration/materials (Updated: 6.2.23) | Support NC

Intact Oklahoma - Tulsa Baby Expo - $105 remaining need (Update: 6.2.23) | Support OK

Intact Idaho - BabyPalooza - $75 remaining need (Update: 6.2.23) | Support Idaho

Intact Virginia - MommyCon DC; Chesapeake New Baby Expo, HR Pride, World Breastfeeding Week Intact Info Booth - $485 remaining need (Update: 6.2.23) | Support Virginia

American Academy of Family Physicians Annual Conference / Rally for Genital Autonomy; $50 for materials remains (Update: 6.2.23) | Support the AAFP Rally for Genital Autonomy


Upcoming Events

Many maternity and family expos across the nation where we set up Intact Booths! Please give to Saving Our Sons to support these events. 

SOS Odyssey: Traveling Rallies - Details & Support

Genital Integrity Awareness Week - Washington D.C.  (Annual week-long March Event) | Support GIAW | GenitalIntegrityAwarenessWeek.com 

Worldwide Week of Genital Autonomy - (Annual May Event) | Support WWWGA / WorldWideWeekofGenitalAutonomy.org [ACOG and WWWGA took us over budget this past year with a remaining balance of $390 to pay off so we can look ahead to next year!  Updated: 10.29.22] 

Men's Health Week - Washington D.C. (Annual week-long June event) | Support Men's Health Week 


To share with friends and family:

THANK YOU to our recent sponsors saving babies from genital cutting!

B - first baby, currently in the NICU (Madison, WI) / given by Earth Mama Birth & the SoShe birth app

L - preemie baby boy at CHKD, mom still deciding (VA) / give by Earth Mama Birth & the SoShe birth app

Intact Info Stampers


All items can be found at Etsy
Please request custom phrases via message at Etsy.

STAMPERS
All stampers available in black, blue or red ink
Click any given image to be taken to its Etsy listing.

*All stampers available in BLACKBLUE, or RED self-inking*


Genital Autonomy is a Human Right.
Say NO to circumcision.


No medical organization in the world recommends infant circumcision.
Bring your whole baby home.


Be Wise - Don't Circumcise!


All babies are born perfect! Say NO to circumcision.

Snuggles, Not Scalpels

Circumcision? YouTube: Elephant in the Hospital

Google: American Circumcision

Foreskin is NOT a birth defect.

Love him, Don't cut him.

Bring your WHOLE baby home.

*All stampers available in BLACKBLUE, or RED self-inking*
Click image to be taken to stamper's Etsy listing.
Break the Cycle - say NO to circumcision


Foreskin is Fabulous!


No Disease? No Consent? No Surgery!

Boys Aren't Born Broken

Boys are Born Perfect, too!

Love Babies?

Defend HIS Freedom - Say NO to circumcision.

Slice Pizza, Not Babies
say NO to circumcision

Genital Mutilation doesn't only happen to girls.

Genital Mutilation isn't only forced on females.

Male Genital Cutting: I did NOT consent.

Circumcision: I did NOT consent

His Body • His Choice
say NO to circumcision

Nobody Wants LESS Penis

BORN PERFECT

Question Circumcision

Whose Penis, Whose Rights?

Men DO Complain
say NO to circumcision

Breastfeeding for All.
Circumcision for None.

Human Milk and Intact Bodies for All.


All stampers available in blackblue or red ink.
Select color of your choice by clicking the Etsy image above.
Intact Info Stamper lasts 2-3 years with normal use. Self-inking mechanism.
Available in BLACKBLUE or RED ink.

Please request custom/new phrases at Etsy.

Check by mail with note of your request to:
Saving Our Sons
PO Box 1302
Virginia Beach VA 23451

[Note: The Where's George? (US) and Where's Willy? (CAN) websites discuss the reasons stamping money is legal. This stamp can also be used for a variety of other items. Stampers only work on paper bills - ink does not stick to plastic bills in Canada, for example.]




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