How to Pierce Your Baby's Ears

Many parents of daughters choose to get the baby's ears pierced while she is still an infant. If you wait too long to pierce her ears, she may be reluctant to get the piercing done. When you decide to pierce your baby's ears, you need to exercise caution in order to ensure that the procedure is done safely.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Wait until she is at least 6 months old. Many physicians recommend that a baby be at least this age to get her ears pierced. The pediatrician will also want the child to be up-to-date on all of her vaccinations.

2. Take her to your pediatrician to get the piercing done. Most pediatricians will pierce the ears with a needle if a parent requests it. A piercing gun at the mall is a less sanitary option for infants.

3. Give your daughter a dose of Baby Tylenol before she gets the piercing done. This may help eliminate the discomfort that she feels.

4. Use 14 carat gold or surgical steel earrings. This prevents the site from becoming infected after the piercing.

5. Clean the area often after the piercing. Use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean around the posts and earrings daily.

6. Watch out for any sign of infection or an allergic reaction at the piercing site. Signs include redness, swelling and the baby tugging at her ears.

Tips & Warnings

• Some doctors use anesthesia to numb the area being pierced while others will just pierce it without using an anesthetic.
• The piercing should be placed higher on the earlobe to allow for growth.