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In many parts of the world, ear piercing is a tradition, not a cosmetic process. If you are thinking about piercing your baby’s ears and are worried about the issues the small baby faces and the risks involved in piercing, you are at the right place. In this blog, we go through the details of baby piercing, like precautions, risks, where to get pierced, aftercare and a lot more.
When to get your baby’s ears pierced?
Some individuals get their baby’s ear pierced at an early age, while some individuals let their child grow up and decide whether they want to get their ear pierced. In a lot of cultures, it’s a custom to pierce a baby’s ears. In Latin America and Spain, it’s customary to get a baby girl’s ear pierced within days of birth.
Some Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries all follow ear piercing as a custom. In Hinduism, it is customary to get a child pierced between the ages of 1 and 5, and the tradition is called karnavedha. However, according to medical science, the baby should get an ear piercing only after they are a minimum of three months old. The baby has stronger immunity by 3 months as compared to a newborn, and they must have received a few vaccines, too, which makes their immunity better.
Is ear piercing safe for the baby?
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It’s safe for the baby to get their ears pierced if the piercing is done with proper care using sterilised equipment and aftercare is done correctly. The individual performing the piercing should be experienced and qualified for baby piercing. The most important thing is to know which material is being pierced in the baby’s ear and if it is safe.
What are the risks of a baby’s ear piercing?
It is generally considered safe, but there are some risks in a baby’s ear piercing. Even if the ear piercing is done at a known place and by a qualified piercer, it may show some complications during the healing process. Nickel should be avoided in piercings as it may cause allergic reactions in babies.
The biggest issues in infant piercing are infection and loose earrings getting dislodged and entering the baby’s mouth, causing a lot of trouble. Screw-back earrings should be used to avoid such incidents.
How do you minimise pain during and after ear piercing in babies?
Babies don’t understand what they are going through when they are being pierced. Piercing can be painful for babies, and it is advised to complete the ear piercing process as soon as possible. An experienced piercer will be a great help, as they know how to complete the piercing without much trouble. Ice packs can be used before and after the ear piercing to numb the area. Some piercers even use a bit of topical anaesthesia on the earlobes of the baby just before the ear piercing to numb the area.
Aftercare is very critical in a baby’s ear piercing, as the infant won’t be able to express their pain, so the aftercare process should be done gently and regularly. Babies should be distracted for the first few days after piercing, as they may feel uncomfortable. The distraction can be their favourite toy, a sibling playing with them or taking them out for some time.
Additional aftercare tips include never removing the earrings before six weeks of piercing to avoid the holes from closing. Avoid touching earlobes unnecessarily, and washing hands properly is advised before touching the piercing. Keep a close watch for an infection that shows symptoms like fever, pain, bleeding, discharge from the piercing, and inflammation. Other signs of infection can be redness or the area close to the piercing becoming a bit warmer than normal. Applying antibiotic cream or ointment on the front and back of the earlobe can help in quick healing and avoiding infections, too.
Which is the best jewellery to be used for the ear piercing of babies?
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14k gold or higher is best for babies, and nickel should be avoided as it can cause infections. The earring should be round, small and flat for a baby’s ear piercing. Always be careful in picking the piercing place and the piercer. The process of ear piercing can be done with a needle or a piercing gun, but it should be properly sterilised and done with proper care and soft hands. The aftercare is crucial, along with the selection of jewellery material. Make it comfortable for the baby, as a happy baby means happier parents.
When done thoughtfully and safely, ear piercing can be a beautiful tradition for your baby. Just make sure to prioritise their comfort, safety, and aftercare every step of the way.
