Earrings for the baby, yes or no?

When it comes to customs and babies, there will always be divided opinions, and putting earrings on a baby could not be the exception.

In some cultures, it is customary to wait for the girl to grow up and decide for herself if she wants to wear them or not. However, in Spain, it is traditional to put these accessories on a baby a few days after birth. But currently, putting earrings on girls right after birth has become an option.

Advantages of earrings for the baby

• It is true that piercing the ears for earrings is painful for the newborn, but it is also worth considering that it is something she will not remember, and it is unlikely to cause her trauma or a painful memory.
• When a baby is born, the cartilage is very thin and therefore easier to pierce. Also, at this stage, nerve transmission is slower so there may be a delay between the piercing and your little one's cry.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that if the earlobe piercing is done correctly and followed up, there are few risks.
• Putting earrings on the baby means that she will already have the piercings done in case she wants to wear them when she's older. This means you will save her the pain of getting them pierced when she's older.
• If the girl doesn't want to wear earrings when she's older, she will stop wearing them, and over time, the holes will close on their own.

Characteristics that earrings for babies must meet

There are a variety of earrings for babies with different shapes, colors, and motifs. Before putting them on your baby, consider the following:

• Earring material: A newborn's skin is very delicate and prone to allergies. To avoid allergic reactions and skin irritability, earrings should be made of hypoallergenic materials. The best materials are gold (minimum 14 karats) and silver.
• Earring closure and end: The best closure for a baby's earring is a screw-back. There are other closures like plastic or snap-on with plastic. The end of the earring should be rounded to prevent the baby from poking it into her skin.
• Filament thickness: For the baby's comfort, the filament thickness that goes into the baby's ear should be thin.
• Earring shape: Earrings for babies should be simple, round, flat, and thin.
• Earring size: Try to ensure the earring is proportionate to the baby's face. Avoid large earrings because the baby could pull on them and hurt herself.
• Earring weight: Make sure the earring for the baby is not too heavy; if it is too heavy, the baby's ear may be strained. Also, don't forget to move them or change them periodically, as dirt can accumulate on the back.

Where to get the baby's ears pierced?

If you decide to put earrings on your baby, you can go to these places:

• Hospitals and clinics: They offer ear-piercing services for babies a few days after birth, which provides good health guarantees.
• Pharmacies: They have a small gun that, while making the hole, places an earring made of surgical hypoallergenic material.
• Jewelry stores: You can do it at the jewelry store where you buy your baby's earrings. However, this is the least recommended option of all, as they do not have the appropriate health guarantees.

Caring for the ears after getting the earrings

After putting the earrings, you have to make sure the area heals properly:

• The wound healing period takes between 3 to 7 days. After that, you should wait 2 to 5 weeks for the piercing to stay open permanently.
• Every day, move the earring back and forth and give it a few turns to prevent the risk of infection. The ideal time to do this is after bathing.
• Do not apply alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or creams to the area.
• You may notice some redness in the area, but it will disappear in a few days. If you notice inflammation or pus, consult the pediatrician.

Deciding whether to pierce the baby's ears is a decision for the parents, based on their beliefs and customs.