Ear piercing is popular with people of all ages and genders worldwide. Many cultures pierce their baby girls when they are infants – often before they even leave the hospital. While newborn ear piercing is a controversial topic for some, we believe it’s important to respect this tradition and remember that babies are pierced safely every day. If you’ve thought about getting your baby or young child’s ears pierced, you may have some questions. Below we have included some of our most popular FAQs on this topic.
Q: How old does my baby need to be to get his or her ears pierced? At what age is it safe?
A: There are several factors to consider before making the decision to have your baby’s ears pierced. Whatever has led you to researching this topic, it’s important to note that at Inverness, we always recommend parents work with their pediatrician to make an educated choice about the best time to have their baby’s ears pierced. In most cases, pediatricians will say the earliest you should consider having your baby’s ears pierced is after their first DPT vaccination which is usually administered at 8 weeks.
Q: What’s the right age to have your child’s ears pierced?
A: Ultimately, this is a personal decision, and there really is no “right” age. Each ear piercing provider you encounter will have their own policy concerning minimum piercing age, but we recommend that you make your decision with the guidance of your child’s pediatrician.
Based on our experience, we recommend that parents thinking about ear piercing for their baby or young child consider the following tips:
- Research the piercing location options near you.Be sure to choose a location that carries the safe and sterile Inverness Ear Piercing System. Only Inverness piercing earrings have our patented Safety Back™ to shield your little one from the earring’s sharp piercing tip.
- Plan the piercing for a time that is best for your child. Before taking your child to have their ears pierced, make sure they are fed and well-rested. An ear piercing should never be performed on a child who is fussy or irritable.
- Ask how the piercing will be performed.Consider an ear piercing location that has experience performing a dual piercing where two associates are available to pierce your child’s ears simultaneously. This makes the process easier for both children and their parents. The Inverness System is ideal for babies because it is not only safe and gentle, but also extremely fast and quiet.
- Follow the Aftercare Instructions provided at your ear piercing. To ensure that a new ear piercing heals safely, it must be kept clean and dry. Always wash your hands before touching your child’s ear or earring. If the piercing looks red or swollen, see your pediatrician immediately, and follow their instructions.
- Celebrate this special milestone! Bring a friend or other family members to help record the happy event. We hope you will share your Piercing Story – and photos – with us by sending them to mystory@invernesscorp.com.
Whenever you decide to have your child’s ears pierced, you can count on Inverness to provide a reliable, safe and gentle ear piercing system that provides parents and children with true peace of mind piercing.