It’s indisputable that tiny little baby ears are the cutest. And if you’re an expectant mother or the mother of a newborn, you may already be shopping for teeny earrings to adorn those little lobes. But before you take any action, you might be wondering when the best age to pierce your child’s ears is, as well as the potential risks of piercing.
Below are what you should consider when piercing your baby’s ears:
Many pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is 3 months old.
Beyond that, it’s up to you! There’s no real consensus about the absolute minimum age at which a baby should get their ears pierced, though most pediatricians don’t recommend piercing a newborn’s ears.
Generally, the recommended minimum age ranges from 3 months to 4 months, because by then your baby will likely have had at least one set of vaccines, meaning the risk of fever due to infection is less concerning.
There are minimal risks involved in piercing your baby’s ears.
There are always a few risks, but ear-piercing is generally considered to be a harmless practice, since the potential side effects are unlikely to occur and usually mild when they do occur.
Mild infections occur in 24% of all piercings.
That might seem like a big number, but most infections go away within a couple of weeks with proper home care. Rarely do piercing infections require a doctor’s visit, but if you’re concerned about your baby’s piercing, it’s worth making an appointment to ease your mind and make sure your baby is healthy.
Get your baby’s ears pierced by a reputable professional.
Research the places you’re considering taking your child to get their ears pierced, and take your time making your choice. Ask the piercer about their training and experience, sterilization of equipment (like heat-sterilization or disinfectant solution), and safety procedures (like fresh gloves for each client).
Don’t be afraid to ask questions before committing. If they avoid questions or seem irritated, that’s a big red flag! Reputable piercers will be totally transparent and open to answering any questions you have.
Read also: How To Safely Clean Your Baby’s Belly Button At Home
Some pediatricians actually pierce baby/child ears in the office.
If you’re lucky enough to have one of these pediatric practices in your area, consider going this route.
Good quality earrings will reduce the risk of contact allergy or infection. Pediatric offices that perform piercings may stock medical-grade earrings, which are sold only to medical offices that perform piercings.
Use small, round, flat earrings to reduce the risk of tearing.
Dangling earrings and hoops can partially or fully tear the earlobe if they get caught on something or if your baby tugs at them. Stick to small, round, flat earrings to be safe.
Keep your baby’s ear piercing clean to prevent infection.
Caring for the piercing is especially important while the piercing heals. Try not to touch the piercing or the area, and only do so with freshly cleaned hands.
Clean the piercing and the area around it with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol 3 times per day for the first 2 weeks. Gently rotate the earring during each cleaning.
Antibiotic ointment can be used on the piercing site as well.
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