Quite a few parents find it normal for their baby to be given stud earrings or small earrings at a very young age. However, whether babies should be "blessed" with this jewellery is the subject of much and sometimes controversial debate. I'll tell you straight away: I'm against it!
This topic is strongly linked to cultural, traditional and personal customs and beliefs. In any case, parents should weigh up their decision carefully and inform themselves well beforehand - for example, by seeking paediatric advice. In this way, they can ensure that all aspects are taken into account.
In many cultures and families, piercing or shooting through the ears of babies has a long tradition. The act is often regarded as an important rite and meaningful family event. Ear studs are often given to the child at birth as a gift. And this is quite widespread and popular worldwide:
- In parts of Latin America (such as Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela), for example, it is common for girls to be given earrings very early after birth. In some cases, this even happens in the maternity clinic for newborns just a few days old or as part of a religious act at baptism.
- In Hindu culture in India, piercing the earlobes and inserting golden earrings, often for babies, is also a traditional ritual. It is known as "Karnavedha", is an important cultural and religious ceremony and, according to Hindu belief, is intended to protect the child from illness.
- It is also common in some South East Asian cultures, such as the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, for girls to wear earrings as babies - partly for aesthetic reasons and partly as a family or cultural tradition. The same applies in the Caribbean (e.g. in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico or Cuba) and in various African cultures. This has been passed down from Nigeria, Ethiopia and Ghana, for example.
- But it is also a tradition in southern Europe, for example in Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain, to adorn girls with earrings as soon as they are born. This is usually seen as a family custom and part of cultural identity.
These examples show: Firstly, stud earrings or earrings for babies are quite common worldwide. Secondly, this custom mainly affects girls, often for aesthetic reasons or to emphasise their gender. But should such a small human being already be categorised according to gender stereotypes? And thirdly, parents also follow this tradition in order to respect cultural norms and maintain family customs.
Nevertheless, I would like to raise the question: Are these really sufficient reasons to decide in favour of this step? If we look at this not from the perspective of the adults, but from the perspective of the baby and the child's welfare, this is doubtful. If only because it is still accompanied by assumptions that are not tenable. Here are two examples:
Is it true that babies are really less sensitive to pain? Quite clearly: NO! However, many parents still believe that very young children feel less pain and do not remember the pain. Based on this assumption, they consider it easier and less traumatic for the child if the earlobe surgery is performed at a very early age.
In fact Studies However, it has been shown that babies can feel pain just as intensely as older children or adults - if not more so. This is because a foetus's nervous system, which is responsible for sensing pain, is already fully developed from the 26th week of pregnancy. Therefore, pain signals are also effectively transmitted to the brain in an infant. This has been proven accordingly: Babies react to painful stimuli with an increased heart rate, increased cortisol production (a stress hormone) and clear behavioural changes such as crying, screaming and restlessness.
Of course, the very little ones can't aware remember the pain - but their body can certainly store this experience. There is scientific evidence that painful events in very early childhood have long-term effects on pain sensitivity and behaviour and can influence pain processing and stress reactions in later life.
It is therefore a myth that babies feel less pain than older children or adults. Therefore each painful procedure (such as piercing the earlobes) that does not result from medical reasons must be decided with the utmost care, taking into account the pain and well-being of the child.
So my advice to you is to simply be aware of your baby's sensitivity to pain as well as the risks and possible consequences - even if you think your baby's little stud earrings are cute and adorable!
Is it true that wounds really heal more easily in babies? Quite clearly: NO! Although it is still often assumed that babies heal injuries more quickly because their tissue is considered to be more regenerative.
In fact, the opposite is true: although babies have a certain Nest protectionbut still have an immature immune system. This can even increase their risk of infection. Improper care of injured earlobes can therefore quickly lead to complications such as inflammation, and in some cases keloids can also form, in which excessive scar tissue proliferates.
The risks for the child
PainI have already explained that piercing or shooting through the earlobes hurts the baby. And nobody can foresee how this sensation will affect your child's later life.
You often read that the child can be given paracetamol to relieve pain if necessary. My position on this is clear: this may be necessary if the baby is in pain due to illness. But the child aware I reject the idea of inflicting pain in order to combat it with painkillers. I consider any intervention in a child's intact body to be problematic.
Infections or other complications after the procedure are not uncommon. They can be caused by the procedure itself - for example, because it was performed in an unclean, unhygienic environment, because the instruments were not sterile, because the earlobes were not sufficiently disinfected or because the staff did not wear disposable gloves.
However, there is still a risk of infection after the procedure, as piercing or piercing the earlobes causes wounds that can become infected. It is therefore also important how the injured earlobes are cared for afterwards. If the earlobes are severely inflamed and reddened, throbbing and oozing, a visit to the paediatrician is essential. This is because there is also a risk that a facial phlegmon, for example, could develop. This is a bacterial inflammation of the skin and the associated soft connective tissue. It occurs after injuries and can spread deep into the muscles. People with a weakened immune system are particularly at risk - and this is really not yet strong in babies. Phlegmonous tissue appears dark red, is swollen and painful. Such an inflammation can lead to life-threatening complications.
Stress is always associated with the piercing procedure for the child - starting with holding on during the procedure and continuing during the healing process. This is because the injured earlobes must be cleaned two to three times a day with an antiseptic solution, a mild, alcohol-free disinfectant solution or a saline solution to prevent infection. It is also often recommended to carefully turn the earrings or ear studs in the ear once a day to prevent them from sticking to the skin wound. These manipulations can cause the baby considerable stress.
And one more point: parents need to be careful during the healing period (around 6 to 8 weeks) to ensure that their baby not pulls or plays with the earrings or studs. Unfortunately, their little hands often harbour bacteria that can get into the wound and infect the earlobe. If in doubt, you have to keep their hands away from their ears at all times - which is stressful for parents and children alike.
Allergies or allergic reactions The possibility of allergic reactions to the material used for the ear studs or earrings cannot be ruled out. Your child could have a particularly severe reaction to nickel or alloys. To minimise this risk, the jewellery material should always be labelled as hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Injuries are also a danger. For example, when dressing and undressing the baby, a shirt, jacket or hat can get caught on the plug or earring and tear the earlobe. The child itself can also injure itself in this way while playing. Or even swallow the small parts of the jewellery if a stud or earring comes loose accidentally or while playing. In addition to the risk of injury, there is also a risk of choking!
These are all important reasons for parents to pause for a moment and think very carefully about whether they really want their baby to have stud earrings or earrings. So weigh up the risks carefully! And also bear in mind that your child is still far too young to be able to give their consent to the procedure.
In fact, there is no legal age limit for piercing children's ears. Theoretically, this is also permitted for infants. However, parents should at least refrain from doing so until the child has received the most important vaccinations (e.g. diphtheria, tetanus). However, many experts recommend that the procedure should not be carried out before the age of 6. By then, the child may already want earrings themselves - but that doesn't mean you have to fulfil this wish! Also interesting from my point of view: The German Society for Piercing - and piercing ears is nothing other than piercing! - even advocates waiting until children are 14 years old before piercing their ears.
However, if you decide to go ahead with the procedure at an early stage, it is important to ensure that you have a good night's sleep for the procedure itself and during the healing process (around six to eight weeks). Hygiene to note.
- So don't have the procedure done just anywhere, but only in a clean environment with sterile instruments by trained specialists.
- Ask the specialist staff carefully how you should care for the freshly pierced earlobes afterwards.
- Always wash your hands carefully before touching your baby's injured earlobes, as careful hand washing is essential. Hand washing is the be-all and end-all!
- Always keep the freshly pierced ear holes clean and dry.
- Watch out for even the smallest signs of infection - and if in doubt, contact your paediatrician immediately.
- Avoid baby swimming with your child for weeks. Sweating should also be avoided as much as possible during the healing period. Both can favour infections.
