Piercing A Baby's Ears — Some Caution Against It

Jul 27, 2021

Ear piercing is one of the most common forms of body modification, and it is extremely popular in cultures all around the world. Earrings can be a great accessory to any outfit and help make a great fashion statement. While it is one of the easiest ways to change your appearance, even if only slightly, there are some risks and complications that can come along with piercing your ears. Although these complications can be minor, they can be detrimental depending on the age of the person getting their ears pierced.

Over the years, it's become more and more common for people to pierce their baby's ears before they're even old enough to consent to the idea. Due to the inevitable pain and potential health risks associated with piercing a baby's ears, many people have spoken against allowing parents to continue to do this. The concept of waiting until children are older to get their ears pierced can be challenging, especially considering that it can be part of one's culture.

Dressing up babies is one of the most fun activities a parent can do, and it can be extremely exciting to see their own baby in a brand new outfit, making yet another memory together. However, piercing a baby's ears can be much more complicated than just buying them a new pair of shoes. From potential infections to allergic reactions, there are a few health and safety reasons why parents may want to reconsider piercing their baby's ears; perhaps parents should wait until the child is old enough to handle the pain and potential side effects.

Should You Wait To Pierce Your Baby's Ears?

While some parents wait until their children are old enough to make a choice themselves about whether they want to pierce their ears, some parents don't wait too long before they make an ear-piercing appointment for their small baby. Healthline reported that some physicians recommend waiting until babies are around four months old as this is typically the time when they have received their two tetanus shots. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not have a firm stance on when is the right time to get your ears pierced, as per Healthline.

There are some complications and potential health risks that come along with piercing your baby's ears. Since there is generally pain involved in the piercing process, babies will be forced to deal with the discomfort without really understanding what's going on. A common risk is the possibility of getting an infection, while a less thought-about risk is making sure the earring's back is on tight enough so it doesn't fall off and pose a choking risk to your baby. Some signs that your baby might have an infection include redness, swelling, warmth to the touch or fever, according to Healthline. Using a saline solution could help mediate any of these side effects.

The AAP said that 14-karat gold post earrings pose the least amount of risk of causing an allergic reaction, although these are typically on the more expensive side, as per Healthline. It's best to use small, round and flat earrings for the first piercing. While it is ultimately up to the family to decide if they want to pierce their baby's ears, Healthline suggests going to a professional who uses sterile equipment and making sure to follow the aftercare instructions properly if you absolutely insist on having your baby's ears pierced.

Do you have your ears pierced? If so, what age did you get them pierced at? Would you pierce your baby's ears? Let us know, and be sure to send this information along to your friends and family, too.