Debate on baby ear piercing reignites after viral post

A viral Facebook post reignited debate about piercing of babies’ ears. HAVE YOUR SAY

Aussie mothers are divided over the issue of piercing babies’ ears, with some insisting it is often a family tradition while others liken it to child abuse.

More than 100 mothers shared their experiences on social media, including industry experts who said they wanted to make parents aware of the developmental damage piercing baby’s ears could have.

“It’s tradition in our family that bubbies are pierced and we’ve never had any problems,” a mother said.

“Bubs forgets it within a few seconds and the younger they are, the less they’ll play with their ears which minimises infections.’’

But more than 70 mothers labelled the practise “abusive” and “traumatic”.

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WHAT DO YOU THINK?

“I sat and watched my step daughter (who was six months old at the time) get her ears pierced and she had both guns at the same time,” a southside Brisbane mother said.

“Never ever again will I ever sit and watch another piercing be done on a child so young.

“The poor baby screamed like no tomorrow. All that pain for ‘pretty piercings’ that are aesthetic for the parents.

“I recommend waiting until your child is aware of the process and asks for them to be done.’’

A body piercer also advised parents wait, at least until their child turned five, to help minimise damage to developing cartilage.

“When done early in age, lobe piercings can travel up the ear and can end up high in the lobe,’’ they said.

“This can cause issues as a teenager and adult.’’

One mother said she would like to know if parents who chose to pierce their baby’s ear would like to have a needle shoved in their ears, without consent.

“It is all for aesthetic purposes. People should love their children regardless,” she said.

One mum who had her ears pierced as an infant said she had experienced issues throughout her life.

“I now have holes that are slightly too narrow and bleed if I wear thicker studs, which can take up to one week to heal,” she said.

“I also get referred cartilage pain among other things. (I will make) our daughter wait until her lobes are fully developed.’’

Another piercing professional said a child’s lobes kept growing until they turned seven.

A north Brisbane mother said she had her ears pierced as a baby and had done the same for her infant.

“My daughter had hers pierced at six months. There was not one tear and she never touched them for them to become infected,” she said.

“Best thing I’ve done. My mother did it to me to and I don’t remember a thing.’’

Medical professional, Dr Redmond Lopez, said there was no particular age he would recommend.

“The risks a baby faces when getting a piercing are much the same as any other person,’’ he said.

“The two major concerns being infection, the myriad of problems that can lead to and allergic reactions.

“One could argue that babies have a less developed immune system and thus waiting longer to pierce their ears could decrease their chance of infection.

“In reality, the important thing is that the equipment used is sterile and clean.’’