When deciding where to get your baby’s ears pierced, it’s important to choose a safe, sterile environment performed by a properly trained professional. The best options are a pediatrician, doctor’s office, or pediatric nurse specialist. These healthcare providers treat ear piercing like any other medical procedure, following strict safety and sanitation protocols to ensure the health of your child.
Avoid Jewelry Stores and Kiosks
Never get your baby’s ears pierced at a jewelry store, kiosk or other retail establishment. These places commonly use piercing guns which cannot be properly sterilized and pose risks of infection. Employees often receive little formal training or medical certification to perform the procedure. Due to loose regulations, safety standards can vary greatly between locations. It’s not worth the risk to your baby’s health and wellbeing.
Seek Out Healthcare Professionals
The ideal place to get your baby’s ears pierced is at a doctor’s office, preferably a pediatrician, pediatric nurse or nurse practitioner. These medical professionals treat the piercing with the same care and precision as any other procedure.
Key things to expect from a healthcare professional piercing:
- Proper sterilization of all equipment including single-use needles instead of piercing guns. Needles produce less trauma to the ear tissue.
- Medical grade, hypoallergenic jewelry suitable for new piercings. Stainless steel studs that can be properly sterilized are best for initial piercings.
- Trained technicians wearing medical gloves to perform the piercing. Safety guidelines are strictly followed.
- Aftercare instructions specific to ear piercings in infants. Proper cleaning and care are critical to healing and preventing infection.
- A sterile environment. The piercing area is properly sanitized just like an exam room.
- Emergency procedures in place and staff on hand in the unlikely event of complications.
- Follow up care available for checkups or any concerns after the initial piercing.
At What Age Can Baby Ears Be Pierced?
Most pediatricians and medical professional piercers will perform ear piercings on babies between 6 to 8 weeks of age and up. At this young age, the ear cartilage is still quite soft but baby has received some vaccinations to build immune support. Earlier than 6 weeks poses unnecessary risks.
With the proper aftercare and high safety standards followed by medical professionals, ear piercing a baby at 2 months or older is typically very safe with few complications. However, it’s always best to check with your baby’s pediatrician first before proceeding. They can evaluate if your baby’s ear and overall health are suitable for piercing at that time.
When done carefully under medical supervision, ear piercing a baby at a young age poses minimal risks. But following all aftercare guidelines is critical to help the piercing heal properly and lower chances of infection or other issues. With time and patience, your baby will get used to their new earrings and the piercings should cause little distress. But if at any time your baby seems very irritable or you notice signs of infection or abnormal swelling, contact their doctor right away.