Everything To Know Before Piercing Your Baby Ears

Everything You Need To Know Before Piercing Your Baby Ears

Getting your baby’s ears pierced is a personal choice. In some parts of the U.S. piercing baby’s ears is not a common practice. For other areas, getting earrings for newborn babies is a regular occurrence.

If you are considering getting your little one’s ears pierced I will walk you through the pros and cons of ear piercing. I’ll also discuss how to properly care for your baby’s ears after they get pierced and show you the best products to use to prevent infection.

Pros and Cons For Piercing Baby’s Ears

Like with anything when it comes to raising kids there are pros and cons to the choices you make. Ear piercing isn’t any different.

I know some mom’s who hated having to take care of their ears as an older kid after getting their ears pierced. Their moms were constantly on them to clean their ears. To avoid the hassle it was easier for new mamas to take care of their own baby’s ears.

I also know moms who feel getting ears pierced might be too painful and choose to wait.

The best way to make a decision is to list out the pros and cons and see how you feel about it after looking at the list. Here are some pros and cons of piercing your baby’s ears.

Pros For Ear Piercing

When done properly ear piercing is safe. Earrings for babies are either 14K, 18K gold or sterling silver. Earrings have screw-on posts so they are comfortable.
Ears probably are kept cleaner when parents are in charge of thoroughly cleaning as opposed to kids cleaning their own ears. Babies aren’t exposed to things like dirt and don’t constantly touch their ears like big kids.
Sharing a special tradition with your baby.
Babies aren’t aware of the pain and won’t anticipate the pain from getting ears pierced like older kids.
It is a fun way to accessorize cute outfits and helps eliminate gender confusion, which is important to some parents.

Cons For Ear Piercing

Doctors don’t endorse ear piercing.
Risk of infection because it is an opening in the skin.
Babies inadvertently might pull on ears.
Children don’t have a choice in pierced ears.
Babies might have an allergic reaction to the metal.

The Best Way To Get Babies Ears Pierced

If you weighed your options and decide to get your baby’s ear pierced follow these tips to ensure the best experience for you and your little one.

The Best Age For Baby Ear Piercings

Either at 2 months or older and when your baby has had their DPT/Tetanus shots. The tetanus vaccine is more of a precautionary measure, not a requirement. It ensures a bit more safety if an infection does develop.

The Best Place For Baby Ear Piercings

It is a good idea to go to someone that has experience piercing baby’s ears and go to a place that is sterile. Some doctor offices pierce ears as do reputable jewelry stores. Depending on your area some body-piercing parlors are held to state hygiene standards whereas jewelry stores are not. The key is to go somewhere with experience and is sterile.

Do not try to pierce your own baby’s ears!!!

The Best Earrings For Baby Ear Piercings

Choose earrings that have posts and softbacks like the screw in posts or a soft fastener. Earrings should be made of good metal like stainless steel or 14K or 18K gold. Earrings should be lightweight, smooth, and flat. Avoid earrings that have sharp points or dangle.

Table of Contents

The Best Experience For Baby Ear Piercings

Your baby should be in good health. Reschedule the piercing if they are sick or teething. Bring comforting things like a favorite blanket or lovey. Dress your baby in something that doesn’t have to go over their head for dressing or undressing. Hold your baby gently yet snuggly to keep them from squirming and to provide comfort. The pain doesn’t last too long.

Baby Ear Piercing Care Taking Tips

After your baby’s ears get pierced you will want to keep them clean to prevent infection. Follow these baby ear piercing care tips for the best results.

Care Taking Routine

Wash your own hands before cleaning your baby’s ears.
Swab your baby’s ears on the front and back 2 times a day for 6 weeks.
Gently turn earrings 1 time a day.
Wash baby’s ears with mild soap during bath time.
Choose cleaning times at the same time every day, when it’s not chaotic, to get in the habit of keeping it clean.
To help keep your baby from pulling on ears put on a lightweight hat to cover ears.
Avoid lotions.
Check earring after baby wakes up to make sure earrings are still in place

Monitor For Signs of Infection

Look for redness, swelling, yellow pus, or bleeding around the pierced area.
Keep the area clean.
Apply antibiotic ointment to treat the infection.
Call your doctor if the infection doesn’t clear up.

Baby Safe Products For Pierced Ears

Cotton swabs or pads
Gentle mild soap like Aveeno Baby Wash or Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash
INVERNESS After Piercing Ear Care Solution
Earring organizer

Do Not Use rubbing alcohol–Inverness saline solution is safe for babies and can be used as a disinfectant.

Common Questions/FAQ About Baby Ear Piercing?

Do Pediatricians Pierce Babies Ears?
- YES! Most Pediatricians typically offer ear piercing services. The earliest they offer baby piercing is typically at 2 months.
- Check with your pediatricians to see if they personally offer ear piercing services and at what age.
  - If your Pediatrician doesn’t offer er piercing, as them for places that they recommend to get your baby ears pierced.
Where can I take my baby to get her ears pierced?
- I would always first hand recommend that you get your baby’s ear pierced by a Medical professional like their pediatrician. Yes, Claire’s does offer free ear piercings but I do not recommend you go to Claire’s to get your baby ears pierced. Choosing the Claire’s route can lead to your baby receiving improper placement for their ear-piercing and even an infection. So, please think twice when making the decision to be cheap.
When should I get my baby’s ears pierced?
- I personally, got my daughter ear’s pierced at her 2 months checkup and she did pretty well. She cried for maybe a minute and was back to a normal happy baby after that. She actually shocked me, on how tough she was!
Is it OK to pierce a baby’s ear?
- The American Academy of Pediatrics says it’s okay as long as you are taking the right precautions to proper care for the baby’s ear.

Last Thing you Need To Know About Baby Ear Piercing for Beginners

Knowing the facts and preparing ahead of time will ensure you have a safe ear piercing experience for you and your baby! Just follow the baby ear piercing tips and you’ll be all set.

As always, Sharing is caring and in this case, super helpful! Please share this blog post with your friends and family and on social media (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc.).

Leave your baby piercing experience in the comments section below!

Everything To Know Before Piercing Your Baby Ears

Everything You Need To Know Before Piercing Your Baby Ears