The decision to get your child’s ears pierced is a big one. When you take into account the pain factor, the potential for infection, and the cost of earrings and earring backs, it’s easy to see why many parents might feel a little hesitant about going forward with this type of procedure. But even though it’s a bit of a leap for some parents, getting your child’s ears pierced can be a fun experience — and a worthwhile one that will teach your child about taking care of her body and how to handle a new sense of responsibility.
Before you take your child to ear piercing, pay attention to the following things!
Piercing a baby’s ears
Piercing a baby’s ears might sound like a good idea, but it can be difficult to find earrings that are small enough that they won’t hurt your little one. Plus, babies have higher pain tolerance than most adults assume, so you may take your baby in for a piercing and find out that she doesn’t mind the experience at all. On the flip side, older kids might enjoy getting their ears pierced with mom or dad, but they may not be able to sit still for the whole appointment.
Most doctors agree it’s best to wait until a baby is at least three months old before getting their ears pierced. One reason for waiting until then is that babies who get an ear infection or develop a fever after getting pierced are unlikely to be seen by their pediatrician, much less their family doctor, in the first few months of life. They’ll likely have to go to the emergency room if they need care. Babies under three months old also don’t have many immunities yet and are more susceptible to infections than older babies.
Age is just a number
As parents, we’re often faced with so many decisions that we can sometimes feel overwhelmed. One of those big decisions is whether or not to pierce our child’s ears when they’re young or wait until they’re older. There’s no right or wrong answer to this question—it’s purely a personal decision.
It’s best to have the piercing done when you have time to allow the piercing to heal properly — six weeks — and it’s important you can keep the earrings in for at least several months, so scheduling a piercing around activities that require earrings being removed is a smart move.
It’s also a good idea to check with your child’s physical education teacher before scheduling an ear piercing appointment. Many schools have policies requiring students to remove their jewelry before class, which can make it difficult if your child has recently had their ears pierced.
Finally, it’s common for parents to want certain parts of their children’s bodies (ears, for example) to look a certain way. That desire shouldn’t be ignored, but it should be tempered by practical concerns like school rules and athletic activities.
Important things to keep in mind when it comes time to get your child’s ears pierced
Choosing the right jewelry – When it comes time to get your child’s ears pierced, there are a variety of earrings you can choose from. However, for a young child, a stud is typically the best option because it will be the least likely to irritate their sensitive skin.
Being prepared for the pain -Even though getting their ears pierced is a relatively simple procedure with little risk of infection, your child may experience discomfort while they heal. Many kids don’t even flinch during the actual piercing. If they do experience pain, most parents recommend giving them an over-the-counter pain reliever right before or right after the procedure. This will help reduce any swelling or irritation that may occur after getting their ears pierced.
Treatment Plan – You want an ear piercer who will treat you with respect and explain the process in detail. Any reputable ear piercer will give you instructions about caring for your child’s ears after their procedure and the possible risks or side effects that may arise from getting their ears pierced.
Telling your child about piercing – When you tell your child that you are going to take them for their first ear piercing, let them know it may hurt a little bit and ask them whether or not they would like you there with them when they get their ears pierced. If they say no, let them know that you will be close and support him.
We believe that these tips will help you and that ear-piercing will go well!
Author Bio
Maggie Holmes is a passionate blog writer who is extremely keen on writing about fashion, lifestyle, health and technology. Her exclusive hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. Follow her on Twitter.