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The practice of ear piercing in babies is prevalent around the world. Most parents get their baby’s ear pierced about a year from birth. However, many debates have arisen about its boons and banes. For example, is there a need to get their children’s ears pierced, or should parents wait for their consent? Well, some cultures have ear piercings as a tradition, while others might want their babies to look beautiful by wearing ornaments early on in their lives. Still, many of you must wonder why or when to make this decision.
Here in this article, we’ll discuss whether you should consider getting your little one’s ears pierced at such a young age or not. So, let’s get started without any further ado!
1. Piercing Can Lead To Infections
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You might be taking your baby to the best professional piercing center. Still, to be honest, no one can guarantee that the piercing will not end up giving your baby some infections (1). In addition, even if all the precautions are taken during the process, there may still be instances when your babies might feel immense pain after the piercing. And this pain is accompanied by white discharge, redness, and swelling around the piercing, which can be very troublesome for someone who can’t communicate properly. So, it’s a big no-no for such a tiny life.
2. Piercing Is Not Temporary
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If you don’t like the piercing on your child, you can open the stud or earing, and the piercing will slowly heal on its own. However, if the jewelry is not opened soon, the ear piercing will change the look of your baby’s ears, and if they grow up hating that little hole in their earlobe, you’ll feel responsible for their criticism and unwanted anger. And if they catch an infection or disease early on, they will hate it even more.
3. It’s Like You Are Choosing For Them
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Every parent wants the best for their kid. However, you have to make decisions for your child in things like their name, the nappies you use, their food, the school they attend, the sports they participate in, and whether they can take dance lessons.
Parents make various decisions throughout life to give their kids everything they can afford and even more, but ear piercing might not be one of their needs. Getting your little one’s ear pierced without their consent can haunt you for life because you’ll see your kid blaming you if they grow up not wanting it to be attached to their personalities.
4. It Hurts A Lot
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In some cultures, getting babies’ ears pierced might hold significant value, but that wouldn’t make the baby any stronger. Your baby’s ears may swell up and become extremely sensitive after being pierced. Make sure the newly pierced area is not touched at all times. Babies might be impulsive and touch or grab the earring, posing a risk of swallowing. After all, piercing is painful, and you’d not want your child to suffer.
5. They Are Just A Baby
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Though you might think they are just a baby, it’d be easier to get them pierced than when they grow up, the truth is that it hurts even when they are too young to communicate Children who request ear piercings at 4 or 5 are often enthusiastic but quickly become anxious when they visit the piercing studio. Keeping all this aside, how a parent can let their child suffer such pain is debatable. Some might argue that it’s best to pierce their ear early on to make them forget about the pain, but in the end, it’s just a baby who, without consent, receives a painful piercing without any scientific benefits. Isn’t that too much for someone that young?
6. They Can Get Metal Allergies
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Even if the piercing procedure goes without complications and your baby doesn’t get any infections during recovery, they might still get metal allergies. Yes, you heard it right. Brass and nickel are the most common metals to give your little one a new sort of allergy if they wear jewelry made of these metals (2). So, always pick the right earrings for your little one that doesn’t react to them. Additionally, earrings should not harm the overall structure of the ear by being too large or heavy.
It may not be unethical to pierce your baby’s ears while they are young, but it is best to wait until they are old enough to decide. A kid under four cannot care for piercings on their own. Children who are still developing may wind up scratching their ears with unclean hands, which can cause infections. What are your thoughts on getting a newborn’s ears pierced? Do you think it’s cruel to do so, or do parents have the right to make this controversial and debatable decision? Let us know in the comments below!
