‘Never, ever pierce your baby’s ears’: Doctor and mum divides internet

“What the h**l is wrong with this now?” one irritated mum asked. “Every day it’s something new.”

I had my ears pierced as a baby.

I’m half Filipino and it’s pretty normal cultural practice to pierce little girls’ ears, as it is in many other countries around the world.

I don’t remember the pain, I’ve always worn earrings, the world didn’t end for me.

But for Dr Tania Elliott, piercing a baby’s ears is one of the top three things she’d never do, as a doctor and as a mum.

Dr Elliott posts to Instagram about cleaning living, women’s health, giving general health tips.

In the video, Dr Elliott explained that piercing infants’ ears is one of the “biggest reasons people have nickel allergies and can’t wear costume jewellery”.

“While babies’ immune systems are developing and the skin is pierced, the body mounts an immune response.

“The next time it gets exposed to anything containing nickel, an allergic reaction can happen.

“Remember, nickel is present in stainless steel, silver and gold below 14k, in addition to many foods.”

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Doctor and mum’s stance on ear piercing divides internet

Ear piercing was one of three things Dr Elliott said she’d never do.

The other two were wearing shoes in the house (obviously… outside germs are revolting) and using Neosporin, which is an antibiotic ointment (that she said could be responsible for contact dermatitis.

The comments were a divided place.

A woman from Chile pointed out that the nickel issue was only a problem if the earrings had nickel in them.

“I’m from Chile and we get pierced when we’re born or very young, mostly with 18k or above. It’s so the ear doesn’t get infected, but I never knew why,” she said.

“In Indian culture this is a custom, however the child is made to wear pure gold, 24k jewellery, nothing else,” said another.  

“I’m 58, had my ears pierced when I was a month old, always wore shoes in the house and use Neosporin regularly! Still here to tell the awful tale,” a third person commented.

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No Neosporin, no shoes in the house and no ear piercing for babies. Photo: Instagram

Others thought the practice of piercing at any age was “gross”.

“Never pierce of cut a child’s body for aesthetic reasons, period,” one woman said. “I don’t care which culture you’re from, cosmetic surgical procedures on children is a gross idea. They can get it done when there are old enough to consent.”

Originally published as ‘Never, ever pierce your baby’s ears’: Doctor and mum divides internet