Baby Ear Piercing
Baby ear piercing is most definitely a hotly debated topic that really has no answer as to what is right or wrong. It truly is a grey area and is a personal decision that is up to the parents to decide upon. Some parents may be completely appalled at the thought of an infant ear piercing, while others think it is adorable and should be done as early as possible to limit the pain the child may feel.
When Is It Safe To Have My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
A baby can have her ears pierced as a newborn, as there are no real medical reasons suggesting otherwise.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics does suggest you wait until your child is old enough to care for the piercing herself before having the procedure done. This is because there is a chance of an infection by your baby constantly pulling on her ears, as well as the possibility of an allergic reaction to the earrings. There’s also a risk of the earring becoming embedded in the ear, which is much more difficult to remove in an infant. Most importantly, the earrings could also present a choking hazard to your baby in the event that they are pulled off.
Most experts strongly encourage you to at least wait until your baby has her final round of tetanus shots around 15 months, before having her ears pierced.
Tips For Having Your Baby’s Ears Pierced
The most important step you can take is to ensure that you find a reputable business to have your daughter’s ears pierced. Many of these shops are simply not equipped to deal with a young baby and may use an ear piercing gun, which cannot be sterilized. This of course is a huge red flag and can leave your baby open to infections and even hepatitis.
You’ll want to find a shop that has a staff well-equipped to deal with baby ear piercings and that also uses sterile equipment. In some cases, your pediatrician’s office may actually perform this procedure for you.
Keep in mind that the type of the earrings you choose can be critical as well. You will want to gold earrings or ones made of surgical steel, as they pose less of a risk for an allergic reaction. Also try to find ones that can be screwed or locked on, to prevent them from being pulled off.
Caring For Your Baby’s Ear Piercings
You will want to ensure that you are keeping the piercings clean and have a watchful eye out for any infections. Be sure keep the area clean with an antiseptic and to notify your doctor if you notice an infection has formed.
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