There are some things that parents do with their babies that leave other parents wondering what they were thinking. It really doesn’t matter what you do, as long as your baby is loved and safe in your home. There will never come a time when all parents agree on all things, and it is those differences that make our world interesting. Infant ear piercing may not bring about heated debates on a regular basis, but you will find some parents get rather passionate about the subject. Do it if you like, especially if it is a tradition, but do keep some things in mind.
In some cultures, infant ear piercing is something they have done for a very long time. They have their baby girls pierced as soon as they are born and others wait until a certain age, but that age can be very young. This practice is relatively safe if the parents take care of the piercing so that it does not get infected and if they are careful where they go to get the piercings done. Some do it at home with a tried and true, sterile method that is passed down to each generation.
If you decide that infant ear piercing is for you, take the time to learn about ear piercings for very little children, especially if you are getting it done before age one. Remember that all piercings can get infected, so you will have one more thing to worry about each day while you are taking care of your baby. Also remember that not all types of earrings are good for the body, so make sure you get high quality material that will not turn green or cause other problems while in your baby’s ear.
Also remember the the backs of earrings can dig into the skin behind the ear. This means finding an earring that is made to be used for infant ear piercing. If the post sticks out too far, it will dig into your baby’s skin and cause an irritation. At times, it might be downright painful for the baby. You may find your baby fussy for this very reason. To avoid problems, try to find earrings made just for little, itty bitty ears. Generally you will not change the earring for a while, so just a few pairs will do. It is a good idea to have a spare pair just in case one gets lost.
Also remember that something as small as the back of an earring can be a chocking hazard for baby. Any part of an earring that is swallowed can also cause damage in the digestive tract. They will soon start to use their hands more, and if they find the earring, they may tug and pull. They may also get it to come apart and could put either part of the earring in their mouth. To avoid this type of problem, get locking earrings when you go for infant ear piercing. These earrings do not come apart as easily as the ones that most adults wear. This won’t help if they tug at the earring and they hurt their ears. That is just something you have to watch for and teach them not to do.
