Jane Sandwood
Teacher | Blogger | Mom
The practice of piercing ears dates back to about 5,000 years ago, proving it to be an age-old concept that has only gained popularity over time. Today, it isn’t uncommon for young girls to have their ears pierced, though parents often disagree on the most appropriate age. With that said, there’s no doubt that your child will ask for their ears pierced at some point or another. However, does that mean you should let them? Whether you’re considering piercing your child’s ears or having a discussion with them, there are some things you should know in advance, such as the importance of proper hygienic care. 
A controversial subject
Ear piercing, particularly on younger children and infants, has been known to be quite a controversial subject among parents for a few different reasons. While many parents wish to give their daughters a sparkly accessory, some people go as far as to view it as something that’s too potentially painful for the child, making the decision to do so a difficult one. Because of this, many parents choose to wait to pierce their child’s ears until they ask for it. In any case, it’s important to be informed on the matter and talk to your child about how to manage the pain and aftercare as well.
The proper aftercare
If you decide to let your child get their ears pierced, it’s necessary to let them know that it’s going to be quite painful. While some parents allow their children to get an earlobe piercing as their first — which is usually less painful than other types of ear piercings — it’s still a painful event. Thus, it’s understandable that your child may be a bit nervous or scared to have it done. Having a talk with your child on what they can expect on the day of the piercing can help them get used to the idea and ease their nerves, as can holding your child’s hand on the big day. However, it’s also necessary to let them know that their newly pierced ears require some upkeep in order for them to properly heal.
Talking to your child on the proper aftercare of a piercing can also allow them to make an informed decision on whether or not they really want it done. However, if your child isn’t old enough to keep up with hygienic piercing care themselves, you will have to do so, which is also something to consider. With any piercing, ear piercings proper aftercare is a must, as it takes some time to heal. This is because poor piercing care, such as not washing the hands before touching it or not cleaning it, can lead to an infection. Along with keeping hands washed, never fiddling with the piercing, and keeping it clean, taking care of a piercing can actually prove to be a lot of work.
Getting your child’s ears pierced can be controversial for some families, and a part of growing up for others. Whether you choose to pierce your child’s ears or let them make the decision when they’re older, proper aftercare of the piercing is crucial.
About Jane Sandwood
Jane has been a freelance writer and editor for over 10 years. She has written for both digital and print across a wide variety of fields. Her main interest is exploring how people can improve their health and well being in their everyday life. And when she isn’t writing, Jane can often be found with her nose in a good book, at the gym or just spending quality time with her family.
View all posts by Jane Sandwood here.
9 Comments on “Here’s What You Need to Know About Piercing Your Child’s Ears”
With any piercing, ear piercings proper aftercare is a must. One thing that i learned that we can use uber numb cream. These creams start working within few minutes and their numbing effect last for many hours.
Just another challenge of parenthood. Even though the wife doesn’t wear any type of jewelry, between TV and friends and other adults the fascination grows. I’ve know so many people of many ages who have had infections, so the advice here is definitely good. This is a medical procedure.
My ears were pierced at 2 months old at my doctor’s office and I wish they weren’t. This is why I will be waiting until my child is old enough to have a choice. I also would recommend against anywhere that uses a piercing gun as they can cause tissue damage and cannot be properly cleaned. Always go somewhere that uses needles and proper hygiene
Proper care is the key to healthy piercings..
Where I come from, it’s not even a debate whether to pierce or not. Every girl child’s ear was pierced as an infant. It was until I moved to the USA that I started noticing some didn’t pierce and that it’s optional. Interesting to me.
Thank you for the tips, I think we will wait till my granddaughter is about 12
Recently, my neighbor’s daughter went to her ear piercing. It was went smoothly but after 4-5 days she suddenly got complaining about her right ear. she started sever pain in her right ear which ended up having ear infection. sometimes ear piercing is scary for parents if you don’t take proper after care . I will share this article with them. Thank you!
My mother was adamant: it wasn’t going to be done until I was 14. That was far enough in the future for her; I think she was hoping I’d forget. And I didn’t say a word for two years. The morning of my 14th birthday, however, I demanded to know when my ears were getting pierced. we didn’t go to a kiosk. Instead, she made an appointment with my pediatrician, and he did it. Warning to parents considering this: I fainted. And while I know hydrogen peroxide is the accepted disinfectant, we used witch hazel and I never had a moment’s problem. While I like the pierced studs because I lose clip-on earrings by the handful, loops can be torn out easily. And some schools limit what and when you can wear them; they don’t want lawsuits.
thanks for the tip im taking my niece tomorrow to get her first piercing, could use the info