“Babies can’t localize pain, so even though it might be a little bit painful, they can’t reach up and touch their ears and pull the earring out,” says pediatrician Dr. Norina Ocampo. “The pain usually goes away within a couple of days.” Older babies, around 5 or 6 months old, however, can localize pain.
Subsequently, at what age can you pierce a baby’s ears?
You can consult with your pediatrician on whether to pierce your baby’s ears, but many recommend that your baby is at least three months old. Some people pierce their kids’ ears during infancy while others will wait until the child is mature enough to take care of the piercing site.
Then, how can I make my baby’s ear piercing less painful?
Oral stimulation is an important part of child development and can help with calming a baby! Babies have unique preferences, so encouraging whatever they prefer is ideal for reducing pain during the piercing. An older infant might enjoy a snack, while a younger infant may prefer a pacifier.
Do babies get fever after ear piercing?
Fever. If your child develops a fever with no other apparent symptoms in the days following an ear piercing, it could very well be due to an infection. Don’t hesitate to take your child’s temperature if anything seems off after a recent piercing. A fever is a sign that their body is fighting off an infection.
How do I clean my baby’s infected ear piercing?
Treating New Pierced Ear Infections (during first 6 weeks):
- Don’t take out the earring! Clean the infected area 3 times a day.
- Wash hands with soap and water before touching the ear or earring.
- Use cotton swab (“Q-Tip”) dipped in pierced ear solution (see #3 below).
- Clean exposed earring (both sides).
Can I pierce my baby’s ears at 4 months?
Some physicians recommend waiting until your baby has received two tetanus shots , which is around 4 months old. However, even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t have a firm stance on when the right time is for ear piercings.
Why you shouldn’t pierce a baby’s ears?
In rare cases, Wasserman says, a too-tight earring can cause the skin to heal over the earring back, which requires surgical intervention to remove. While allergies and scarring are out of a patient’s control, infection and skin overgrowth can usually be prevented with proper care.
What is the safest way to get ears pierced?
Any piercing, no matter who administers it, is a risk. Shopping mall kiosks are generally safe places to get your ears pierced, but it’s still a risk. You can schedule an appointment to have your ears pierced by a dermatologist or other healthcare professional.
Does it hurt babies to get ears pierced?
Piercing your baby’s ears at birth
Even though the piercing is over in a matter of seconds, it’s painful because it’s done without anesthesia. If you want to spare your newborn that pain, ask the doctor whether a little bit of topical anesthesia can be applied to the lobe before the piercing.
Is piercing a baby’s ears abuse?
She claims that pierced ears is equivalent to physical abuse and child cruelty for the fear and pain inflicted. To this day, to pierce or not to pierce a baby’s ears, like many other aesthetic decision, is still firmly a parental prerogative.
Do pediatricians pierce ears?
While there are risks for ear piercing in kids, they can be minimized by having your pediatrician do it instead of having it done at a retail jewelry store. Many pediatricians offer pediatric ear piercing as a regular service.
Can I pierce my baby’s ears at 1 month?
Medically speaking, there’s no ideal age to pierce a child’s ears. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees there’s no risk in doing it as a newborn, although it recommends holding off until the child can take care of the piercing on his or her own.
How do you clean an infant’s ears?
To
- Lie your baby on their side with the affected ear facing up.
- Gently pull the lower lobe down and back to open the canal.
- Place 5 drops in the ear (or the amount your pediatrician recommended).
How long do baby piercings heal?
Expected healing time for an earlobe piercing is 6 weeks. Parents should follow the aftercare instructions provided at the time of their baby’s piercing and remember the following: Always wash your hands before touching your baby’s ears or starter earrings.
