As the mother of a new baby girl, you might have a lot of questions. You’ll want to know how to change your baby, how to soothe her, and how to burp her. The question that most mothers have concerns the piercing of the baby’s ears.

Piercing a baby’s ears is a common practice. It’s a practice that does come with some controversy. When is the right age to get a baby’s ears pierced?

Read this guide to learn what age baby ear piercing is acceptable. This guide will help you prepare for the process.

The Debate

Why is there so much controversy on this topic? Most of the controversy surrounds the baby’s autonomy. Critics of this practice argue that a child should have the right to decide if she wants to get her ears pierced.

Some critics argue that it’s child abuse. Babies will feel pain and stress getting their ears pierced. There’s quite a lot of judgment against parents who pierce their baby’s ears at an early age.

For many parents, baby ear piercing is a cultural tradition. Most Latin cultural traditions call for a baby girl to get her ears pierced right after being born. It’s a routine practice.

When Can You Pierce Your Baby’s Ears

Most pediatricians agree that the earliest one can pierce a baby’s ears is at two months old. At this age, babies are less likely to remember the experience. They’re also less likely to move about during the process.

Piercing a baby’s ears early on is also better for pain. Babies aren’t able to localize pain at two months of age. This means that even if they feel some pain, they can’t reach up to touch their ears.

A two-month-old will not pull at his or her ears if there’s pain. This is good news for parents who worry that their baby may reach out to their earrings to pull them out. The pain will go away in a few days.

Around five months, babies can start to localize pain. Older babies are more likely to tug and pull at the earrings. This can be a cause for concern for parents.

Pediatricians also assert it’s best to pierce a baby’s ears at two months of age for another reason. This coincides with the age that babies get their tetanus vaccine. This vaccine can protect a baby from the germs associated with an ear piercing.

The best policy is to consult with your baby’s pediatrician. Every case is different, so your baby’s pediatrician will determine what’s the best age.

Baby Ear Piercing Safety Precautions

There are safety precautions parents must be aware of. Parents should know that there’s a risk of infection. The good news is that there are things parents can do to reduce the risk of infection.

Parents should go to a licensed and reputable piercing location. It’s best to choose a certified piercing professional. This person should have the proper training to pierce ears.

The person who will pierce your baby’s ears must follow hygiene protocol. Don’t be afraid to ask for certification and training procedures. Take the time to examine the equipment. The piercer must use sterilized equipment. If you have a preference, inform the piercer. Some locations use needles, while others might elect to use a piercing gun.

If you believe that the location or staff is not ideal, then don’t pierce your baby’s ears there. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You want to feel comfortable with the entire piercing process.

You might have the option to pierce your baby’s ears at the pediatrician’s office. Ask your child’s pediatrician if this is a possibility. Consider taking this route if it makes you feel more at ease.

Safety Tips

The earrings will have to remain in your baby’s ears for at least six weeks. Refrain from removing or changing them during this time. Leaving them in helps to promote healing of the site. During this time, you’ll have to clean the site to prevent infection. Clean and disinfect it with care.

You’ll need to be on the lookout for signs of an infection. These signs include puss, pain, and redness that persist for 24 hours. Swelling can also indicate there’s an infection. It’s also good to look for other types of complications that may arise. These include an allergic reaction and ear tearing.

Choosing the Right Earrings

Before you decide to pierce your baby’s ears, you must choose the right earrings. The ideal earrings should be made from pure silver or titanium.

If you choose gold earrings, make sure that the earrings are made out of 24-karat gold. This is pure gold. Anything that isn’t pure gold can cause an infection and allergic reaction.

It’s best to choose kids’ earrings made from hypoallergenic material. This is the case with sterling silver earrings. These materials help to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Some children might have an allergy to nickel. It’s better to forgo nickel earrings.

You should avoid earrings that dangle. These types of earrings can get caught on clothes and bedding and cause harm. Babies are more likely to pull them out as well.

Getting Your Baby’s Ears Pierced

Did you decide it’s time to get your baby’s ears pierced? As you read, most pediatricians agree that a baby ear piercing is acceptable at two months. Use this guide to safely pierce your baby’s ears. It’ll help you determine the baby earrings that you should buy for your baby.

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