Piercing Your Baby's Ears

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

13 Apr 2006 11:36 AM

When my daughter was born, a lot of people asked me if I was going to get her ears pierced. After all, my ears are pierced and my husband has one pierced ear. Everyone in the family has pierced ears and several old friends pierced their children's ears when they were infants.

I elected to not pierce my daughter's ears as an infant primarily because that's a choice she should be able to make for herself when she is older. I felt this way for any number of reasons, but the largest was that such a change to her body should be up to her and not to me. Also, I didn't want to have to take such particular care and worry that her ears might get infected.

However, because there are a lot of parents who want to get the piercing done when they are infants because they believe it is easier to manage the care and also because it makes a bald-headed baby look more feminine, here are a few things you need to know before getting their ears pierced.

If you decide to get your baby's ears pierced when they are young, you are better off waiting until after their second set of immunization shots. By waiting until after the second set of shots you will reduce any risk of tetanus. Also, when deciding about getting ears pierced, the longer you wait, the better their ears will be shaped. Babies who have their ears pierced at 2 weeks old will find that the earring hole is no longer in the center as they grow older.

So waiting until they are 18 months to two years is often a better choice for ear shape and size. When going to get your daughter's ears pierced, you need to verify that all the equipment being used is sterile. Go to a reputable person or establishment for ear piercing, preferably one that deals in small children. Just because the kiosk in the mall does ear piercing doesn't mean they are a good choice.

It would be rare for a parent to consider multiple piercings for their infant, but if you are - most experts recommend against it. Their ears are still growing and shaping. The risk for infection will be high in other areas of the ear. Also, you do not want to inflict scar damage that a multiple piercing might do.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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