There are a lot of reasons why you would want to pierce your baby’s ears. However, it may be quite difficult to witness your kid suffer an injury, even if it is just for a little period of time. Even while it’s common practice to pierce a baby’s ears somewhere between the first and third years of life, most contemporary parents choose to wait until they feel ready. Some parents wait till their children are older and can make an informed choice. When the time comes to piercing baby’s ears, it’s important to be ready for it.
It will undoubtedly be unpleasant. The needle approach feels similar to having an injection, while the piercing gun feels similar to a stapler going through the skin. You may be concerned about how your baby will respond, and it is advisable to expect some cries during and after the piercing. The burning and stinging feeling on the earlobes following the surgery is often what bothers newborns. Most parents often take the baby for a piercing without proper information and guidelines. To make things easier, here we answer some questions when it comes to piercing and caring for your baby’s pierced ears. This piece on piercing baby’s ears advice will help you plan the ceremony easily.
In This Article
- The Ear Piercing Practice in India
- When Can I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
- Where Should I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
- What Precautions Should I Take Before Getting My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
- What Are The Disadvantages Of Ear Piercing?
- How Can I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
- What Earrings Should I Choose For My Baby?
- Ear Piercing Care For Babies
- What Should I Do If The Ear Lobe Gets Infected?
- FAQs
When Can I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
Almost every religion in India has a custom of piercing the baby’s ears. Some customs have a small ceremony to celebrate the ear piercing day of the baby. This ceremony is called the Karnavedha Sanskar (कर्णवेध संस्कार). In some customs, the ear piercing is done alongside the Mundan (मुंडन) ceremony, which is shaving off hair from the baby’s head. Some people also schedule the ear piercing to coincide with the naming ceremony of the baby or the Namakarna (नामकरण). In Hindu customs, it is believed that piercing the ears is a Shubh Shagun (शुभ शगुन) and it brings good fortune and wards off evil.
According to some customs a baby’s ears need to be pierced within 40 days, from the birth date. However, there is no conclusive rule as such. Some families perform ear piercing of the baby during the first or third year. Some others wait till the baby is old enough to know what ear piercing is. You can pierce a baby’s ear any time you want. Try to schedule it after a month or two since a newborn baby is too fragile, sensitive, and prone to infections.
Needless to say, if your baby is unwell, he or she is definitely not fit for getting a piercing until they are in the best of health. Also, make sure you consult a doctor before scheduling the piercing appointment so that any forthcoming sickness can be ruled out. The doctor may also give some painkillers to help the baby.
Where Should I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
For decades, Indians have been going to their local jewelers to get their baby’s ears pierced. Most jewelers in India are equipped and experienced enough to conduct the piercing efficiently. They normally rub an ointment on the ear lobe and mark the spot you want to pierce through. Then they push a thin gold or silver metal wire through the ear lobe. It may not seem very hygienic but it is a common practice in India, which has worked well for many years without harming the baby, though infections cannot be ruled out.
Off late, many dispensaries and clinics have started the facility to get the piercing done. The procedure is mostly conducted by doctors or well-experienced specialists. The specialists might use a gun for the procedure. Piercing guns are very safe, but it is not recommended if your baby is too small plus they have the chance to be contaminated with infections.
The piercing gun shoots a stud through the earlobe, which is thicker than the gold or silver wires, hence it is more painful and takes more time to heal as well. Always use surgical steel or 14-carat gold as your baby’s first ear jewelry as other metals could give your baby an allergic reaction if the baby is too young.
In some households, the piercing is done at home and it is conducted by an experienced adult of the family or the maalish wali. This method is however not recommended. It is better to take your baby to an experienced professional or a specialist. The crux here is that the piercing should be done in hygienic conditions.
What Precautions Should I Take Before Getting My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
As mentioned earlier, it is crucial that your baby is in the best of health while getting the piercing done. If the doctor has advised you against the piercing it is best to pay heed to the doctor’s advice. Also, ask the doctor to recommend an ointment or painkiller.
Ointments are also available off the counter, you can ask your local chemist and he will give you a suitable ointment. The best thing is to use homemade ointments and natural ingredients like coconut oil and turmeric powder. Also, make your baby wear a dress that can be buttoned up. This will help you not brush the baby’s ear when you change her clothes.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Ear Piercing?
Ear piercing is the process of making a hole in the ear to insert jewelry. Any sort of piercing increases the chance of complications, which include. Some of the disadvantages of ear piercing are:
- A few items of piercing jewelry, especially those made of nickel, might trigger allergic responses.
- After a piercing, this might result in redness, soreness, swelling, or a pus-like discharge.
- Piercing may result in elevated regions and scars brought on by an excessive proliferation of scar tissue (keloids).
- Bloodborne illnesses including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus, and HIV may be acquired if the piercing tool was contaminated with infected blood.
- Accidentally catching and tearing out jewelry may need stitches or other repairs,
- If you get an allergic reaction, an infection, or another skin condition close to the piercing, you could require medicine or other therapy.
How Can I Get My Baby’s Ears Pierced?
Talk to your baby, if the baby is old enough to understand, about ear piercing. Also, prepare the baby for the procedure. Toddlers can get a little difficult to manage hence it is always recommended you pierce your baby’s ears as early as possible or wait till the baby has grown up.
Also, speak to the specialist who is going to conduct the piercing procedure. Make sure he is experienced and is using sterilized equipment. Some specialists recommend getting both ears pierced at the exact same time to reduce the pain and trauma, this is an effective technique as well.
What Earrings Should I Choose For My Baby?
Surgical steel or 14-carat gold is your best bet when it comes to choosing the right jewelry for your baby’s ears. Many mothers insert a neem twig in the pierced hole, owing to its antiseptic and healing properties. If you pick up gold, make sure that the posts and the backs are all gold. The baby would be tugging at the ear, so it is best not to buy baalis, or else, she causes injury to herself.
All earrings should be secure enough not to come off when the baby tries to pull them, as the baby can swallow them and this could cause serious choking. It is best to buy something that the baby will be comfortable with, and will not hurt her while sleeping and breastfeeding. Hopefully, everything will be over soon and your kid will be happy with a new appearance!
- Some mothers favor ear-piercing guns, while others prefer needles. To prevent illnesses in your infant, disinfect the equipment regardless of the method.
- The earlobe’s center is pierced. A skilled ear piercer or practitioner can find this area without marking the ear lobe with a ball pen, marker, or sketch pen. Avoid pen ink dyes since they may irritate.
- The doctor should wear gloves and wash his hands with antiseptic before the surgery. Clean your baby’s earlobes, the piercing gun, needle, studs, and gold wire with an antiseptic solution.
- Hold your infant gently yet firmly to keep her head still during ear piercing. Pierce the first lobe easily. Your infant may scream and be distressed when the lobe is punctured. To soothe her, provide a toy or stroll around. You and the practitioner may struggle to puncture the lobe with a fussy infant. After she calms down, switches lobes.
Ear Piercing Care For Babies
Rub coconut oil and massage the ear gently. It might hurt your baby. Therefore, make sure you are extremely gentle. Also,
- Do not take off the earring for at least 2 months. Or else, the piercing might fill up again.
- You must keep the area of ear piercing clean and germ-free.
- If the doctor or the specialist prescribes an ointment, make sure you apply it regularly.
- If not, then you can apply turmeric powder a couple of times since it has healing properties.
What Should I Do If The Ear Lobe Gets Infected?
The area will be a little warm and red after the piercing. However, this will subside in a couple of hours. In case there is swelling, redness, or extreme pain, even after a day or two since the piercing, consult the doctor immediately. The doctor will examine and determine exactly whether the child has an infection and he will prescribe medicines accordingly.
FAQ’s
1. Can Babies Feel Pain When Getting Their Ears Pierced?
Even though ear piercing takes just a few seconds, it is unpleasant. If you wish to save your infant from the agony, have the doctor put a little amount of topical anesthetic on your baby’s ear lobes before the piercing.
2. Does A Gunshot Ear Piercing Hurt?
The cartilage-free part of the earlobe is pierced using a gun. It’s a simple method for quickly inserting the earring. It requires the same treatment as a piercing with a needle, but is less painful.
