Pregnant mothers-to-be face an endless barrage of questions throughout their pregnancies, and whether it’s okay or not, it is to be expected at this point. While you might think that the baby’s sex or due date may be the most commonly asked about details, you might be surprised to find out that questions about ear piercings are very commonplace. This is especially the case when the baby’s mama is pierced and tattooed herself.
It is not uncommon for people to pierce their baby’s ears, and in some cultures this is not only normal, but expected. However, there are definitely some things to keep in mind before considering adorning you little one’s ears.
Needle, Not Gun
While both of these words are scary to consider when it comes to your child, in the context of piercings, you should be sticking to the needle. Piercing guns are popular, but they or not ideal for safety concerns. Infinite Body Piercing owner James Weber explained: “Piercing guns are made of plastic, and cannot be sterilized. While the cartridges that fit in the gun are single-use, the gun itself is capable of sharing disease-causing pathogens between clients.”
Weber continued: “Piercing gun studs are blunt, and make their way through the earlobe with brute force. This not only results in a more painful piercing, but also in more trauma that can make healing more difficult.” This is why it’s best to stick with a single-use, hollow point needle instead.
Go To A Professional, Not The Mall
While it is easy and convenient to pop over to the mall and get a piercing at a jewelry store like Claire’s, it is not in your child’s best interest. Though employees at these kinds of places are touted to be “trained and experienced specialists” why not go to someone whose actual profession includes piercing people all day long? Make sure the piercing specialist you go to is CPR and First Aid certified, a member of the Association of Professional Piercers, and is trained in blood borne pathogens.
Quality Jewelry Is Imperative
Another reason to head to a trained professional is to make sure your child receives quality jewelry and not cheap gold-plated earrings. These materials are not a good idea for initial piercings, as the soft metal can easily cause allergic reactions. As the Association of Professional Piercers recommends, make sure to use jewelry that meet ASTM and IDO implantation standards. These include implant-grade steel, niobium, implant-grade titanium, solid 14k gold, or unleaded glass.
Think About The Timing
While adding earrings to complete your child’s outfit can be an adorable finishing touch to an outfit, you may first want to consider if this is really the right time to make this decision. A lot of parents question whether it is in fact their choice or not whether to pierce their child’s ear. Many parents choose to wait until the child is old enough to make this decision on their own. Statues on piercings (and tattoos) for minors vary from state to state, so before you get your hopes up, make sure it is even a possibility in your state.