Repost VII: Timing and Delaying the Bris

Just about everyone knows that the Bris takes place on the 8th day of life. 

Not everyone knows that the first day of life counts as "Day 1," no matter what time of day it is, as long as it is before sunset. 

So, a baby born any time in the AM on Monday, until sunset on Monday, will have his bris the following Monday.  Born after sunset on Monday will have his bris the following Tuesday. (fill in any other day of the week for a similar equation... exception to follow)

This formula does not work if the baby is born after sunset but before nightfall on a Friday evening, or in that same time frame when the following week is a holiday. A related push from Saturday or a holiday is if the baby is born via c-section, and the 8th day is Shabbos or a holiday.

Here are general comments as to the Timing of the Bris

There are circumstances under which a bris could be delayed, sometimes for a day or two (etc), sometimes until the baby heals PLUS 7 FULL DAYS, and sometimes it is postponed indefinitely because the baby needs surgery to correct an anatomical condition that developed in utero that a Mohel should not be touching.

Delay for an unpredictable amount of time (though could be a day or two)

This is usually done if the baby is really small, then we wait until he's at least 5 lbs

If the baby has Jaundice - there are some who wait until the Jaundice is completely gone. Others wait for bilirubin numbers stabilize or to begin to to go down. Once it is "clear" the bris can take place immediately. It is also possible that our understanding of Jaundice differs from what halakha is talking about and that most cases of jaundice are really not a concern at all. That being said, I have never had a problem if the bilirubin numbers are a. going down, and b. are at 16 or lower at the time of the bris.

Delay for an unpredictable amount of time PLUS seven days

If the baby has a systemic illness which, had it gone untreated, could have possibly led to the baby's demise, we would wait for medical "clearance" and an additional seven days (168 hours!) before having the bris. For example, a baby cleared on Tuesday 10am would not have his bris before the following Tuesday at 10am, but should have it as soon as possible after those 168 hours have passed.

Canceling the Bris

If there is an anatomical issue which requires surgery, you might need to let your family know there won't be a traditional bris.