Rabbi Nechemia Markovits
Board Certified Mohel Since 1986
Jewish Bris - Circumcision, Available in New York Tri-State and abroad 

The Bris should be performed at the proper time on the the 8th day from the baby's birth.

However, A Bris Milah is never performed if it poses any danger to the infant. Your doctor and/or mohel's advice to delay a Bris for health reasons should always be heeded.

A Bris may not be performed on an ill child until he is fully recovered. The slightest ailment or the least pain, as determined by a mohel, doctor or rabbi may be reason enough to postpone the bris until the child is healed.

In cases of illnesses affecting the entire body, a delay of seven days following full recovery is required. 

If the disease is one that affects only a certain part of the body, there is no waiting period and the bris can be carried out immediately upon full recovery.

If the child is born prematurely or there is any question as to the baby's health, your doctor will advise you when the bris can be performed medically.

The most common cause for delaying circumcision is a condition known as jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin). In case of jaundice,  the bris cannot be performed; it is delayed until the bilirubin in the blood drops to a safe level. The bris may then be performed without endangering the child. 

However, if the jaundice condition is serious enough, a delay of seven days following full recovery is required.

An underweight child cannot be circumcised. However, once the necessary weight is achieved, the bris can be performed immediately without a waiting period.

If a bris must be postponed, the Hebrew name is given to the baby when the bris does actually take place.