everything you need to know about piercing your babys ear

Baby piercings are usually done without anaesthesia, so your baby is going to feel the pain. For some parents, getting done with all the pain while they are still infants is a preferable option, while other parents think it best to wait for your baby to grow up a little before they get pierced. Getting your baby pierced is a personal decision you need to make in the best interest of your baby.

Either way, it is advisable for you to keep your doctor informed prior to getting your baby pierced. It is advisable for you to wait for your baby to grow up a little before she gets pierced. The simple reason being, babies are fidgety. Your baby is very likely to transfer germs from her mouth to her ear though her hand, which will infect the ear. An infected ear is a lot more painful than getting her pierced when she is slightly older. It is harder for you to take care of the newly pierced ear of an infant than a slightly older one. 

You can never guarantee the hygiene of the equipment that is going to be used to pierce your baby’s ear, since infants are prone to all kinds of infections, voluntarily adding to this risk is a choice you need to make as a parent. If you have chosen to pierce your baby’s ear at infancy, she might get rashes or fever. It is quite common for babies to react to new changes in her body, so consult your paediatrician before you get worked up.

Whenever you decide to pierce your child’s ear, prefer using 24karat gold earrings to reduce the risk of an infection. Any other kind of accessory is likely to react badly to your baby’s skin. Since your baby’s body and skin is very sensitive immediately after birth, it is best to take precaution before hurrying into getting your baby’s ear pierced.

After your baby has been pierced, do not remove the earring for at least 6 weeks. Take care of the wound while keeping a keen eye out for infections, irritation or allergic reactions. Carefully twist the earring around at least once a day, this will help reduce the risk of the earring getting caught with the fast healing skin. Inflammation, oozing of blood, and discharge are common signs of infection, so consult your paediatrician and nurse your baby accordingly.

An immediate home remedy to the infection would be to rub the oozing area with alcohol or aftershave. Piercing your baby’s ear is one of those things every new parent is uncertain about. This will require you to consult with your doctor and the elders of the family. 

At the end of the day, it is a parent’s instinct that gets you through the process!