Baby ear piercings can be a hot topic, even though there’s no right or wrong answer for whether you should pierce them or not. Depending on whether the decision was cultural, cosmetic, or simply preference, you likely went back and forth on deciding whether or not to pierce your baby’s ears in infancy. If you’ve made the choice to move forward with the perfect pair of studs, your next question is likely where should I get my baby’s ears pierced?
The best place to get a baby’s ear pierced is at a pediatrician or a tattoo parlor because they maintain the highest standard of hygiene and use a sharp, hollow needle. This is considered less painful and safer than the piercing gun used in places such as Walmart or Claire’s.
Although you might be tempted to pop into the first jewelry store that advertises ear piercings, there are some safety guidelines to pay attention to first. Finding the right professional is much more important than deciding on your little one’s first pair of earrings. Keep reading to find out the best places to get your baby’s ears pierced.
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Where should I get my baby’s ears pierced?
You might be surprised to find out there are places other than the mall to get your ears pierced. In fact, you’ll want to steer clear of any place that uses a piercing gun because according to the Association of Professional Piercers, a piercing gun is not ideal due to the risk of infection and the difficulty of proper sanitation. Most mall kiosks and stores offer ear piercing with a piercing gun, which may not be the best option for your baby.
You can ask your dermatologist, pediatrician, tattoo parlor, or local kiddie salon for infant piercing services. It’s important to check with the Better Business Bureau and do your research before making an appointment. If your pediatrician doesn’t offer piercing services, ask for a recommendation or the best place to start your search.
If you’re looking outside your pediatrician’s or other medical professional’s offices, consider these questions to determine the safest and most reputable location for your child’s ear piercing:
- Is the location rated well with the Better Business Bureau?
- Is the location properly licensed and credentialed?
- Do they have AAP accreditation (Association of Professional Piercers)
- What is their sterilization process?
- Do they have a portfolio and positive reviews?
If you have any doubts about a certain business, you’re not obligated to stay for an appointment or use their services. Remember, your instincts are there for a reason. If you’re not able to have a medical professional pierce your baby’s ears, try finding an Association of Professional Piercers member near you here.
Where is the best place to get your baby’s ears pierced?
There are plenty of options when it comes to getting your baby’s ears pierced. What’s available near you is going to depend on your location, but it’s crucial to find the safest option for your baby, not just the closest. Here’s a list of the best places to get your baby’s ears pierced, as well as answers to some common questions about each place.
Pediatrician
Pediatric ear piercing is a service offered by some pediatrician’s offices, often referred to as medical ear piercing. This may be the most comfortable choice for parents, but not all offices offer this service. Pediatricians who do offer this service are trained in piercing techniques and are experts in wound care and management (after all, you’re asking for holes in the body). Some pediatrician’s offices charge $75-$100 for this service.
Do all pediatricians pierce ears?
Not all pediatricians perform ear piercings and if there is one in your area, you may need to be a patient of theirs to receive this service. However, that may not always be the case so it’s worth looking into. Some research and phone calls will help you determine what’s available in your area.
Tattoo parlor
While this may not be the first place you think of to take a child, outside of a medical office this is likely the best place to take a baby for ear piercing. Why? Because reputable tattoo parlors have trained piercers who are educated on proper sterilization and techniques. They also must adhere to strict health and safety guidelines.
Will tattoo shops pierce baby’s ears?
You’ll likely have to call ahead and research in your local area, but this is not an unheard-of practice in tattoo parlors. Many piercing professionals actually advocate for parents to take their kids to tattoo shops instead of getting their ears pierced at the mall. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20-$40 and up for this service at a tattoo parlor.
Can a baby go into a tattoo shop?
With a consenting adult, children under 18 are generally able to head to the tattoo parlor for an appointment. Be sure to do your research on what’s allowed in your state and any restrictions or preferences of your local tattoo parlors. Some states require that a minor have a photo ID and other credentials prior to getting a piercing for record keeping and liability purposes. Again, try calling around to some reputable parlors in your area to determine which ones provide this service for young children.
Walmart
Some Walmart locations offer ear piercing services. They use the Inverness System and pricing starts at $10. You’ll need to call your local Walmart to see what ages they pierce and to learn more about their process.
Is it safe to pierce baby ears at Walmart?
Walmart uses the Inverness System, which is a piercing gun. Ideally, a hollow needle is best for most piercings due to sterilization standards, technique, and healing. However, a piercing gun can be used on baby’s ears.
Claire’s
Most malls in America have the iconic Claire’s store. Known for their jewelry and accessories for kiddos and teens, they’re also known as the place to get your ears pierced. Claire’s stores offer ear piercing free with the purchase of starter kits, which are listed at $18 and up.
When can babies get their ears pierced at Claire’s?
The age restrictions for ear piercings varies by store, so you’ll have to call your local Claire’s to find out the exact restrictions. However, for infants, you must provide their immunization record and Claire’s requires babies to have had a current DTaP shot. Infants usually receive this shot by eight weeks of age.
How much is baby ear piercing at Claire’s?
Ear piercing at Claire’s is always free, but with the purchase of an ear piercing kit. There are a variety of options, so the price will depend on what earrings you choose, but they start at $18.
Is it safe to pierce baby ears at Claire’s?
Generally speaking, yes, it’s safe to get an ear piercing at Claire’s stores. These stores offer general piercing services using pre-sterilized, individually packaged equipment.
Piercing Pagoda
Piercing Pagoda is another iconic place to get ears pierced at the local mall. Most of these locations offer children’s ear-piercing services for kids as young as two months and up. Piercing Pagoda will offer to pierce both ears at once to help alleviate anxiety when two piercers are available, so call ahead to make arrangements.
How old does a baby have to be to get her ears pierced at Piercing Pagoda?
According to their website, they offer piercing services for babies two months and up. They also require a current DTaP shot.
Is it safe to pierce baby ears at Piercing Pagoda?
Piercing Pagoda technicians receive annual training and re-training to keep up with best practices and services. They use single-use, sterilized, and pre-packaged equipment for piercing. They also offer short post style earrings ideal for kids 3 and under and complementary follow-up visits if you have any concerns. For more information on their process, check their site here.
Choosing the best place for your baby’s ear piercing
Remember to do careful research on reputable venues in your area that offer children’s piercing services. This is a relatively common procedure, so you should have plenty of options no matter where you’re located. How you care for your baby’s ear piercing afterward is just as important as the place you choose. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions and keep a close eye on your child’s ear piercing following the procedure to ensure proper healing. If you have any concerns, always follow up with your child’s pediatrician.
What is the best age to get a baby’s ears pierced?
While ear piercings are generally safe for young children and babies when done professionally, the AAP recommends waiting until a child is old enough to take care of the piercing themselves. However, if you choose to get a child’s ears pierced in infancy, it’s recommended to wait until your child is at least three months old, but preferably as old as 6 months, to reduce the risk of infection or even a hospital stay.
It’s wise to be sure baby is up to date on vaccines, like the tetanus shot, before making the appointment. According to the CDC, if parents are following the recommended vaccination schedule, a child will have their second tetanus vaccination around 4 months of age.
What’s most important when piercing a baby’s ears is working with a trusted professional and following proper care and hygiene during the healing process.
Do babies need shots before getting ears pierced?
Some experts recommend waiting until baby has had two doses of the tetanus vaccine, which is done at 4 months according to the CDC recommended vaccine schedule. This provides additional protection for baby in case of infection. The requirements may vary based on the provider you choose, but many piercing places do require certain vaccines and even proof of immunization.
How to care for infant ear piercings
Much like piercings in older children and adults, it’s important to take excellent care of your baby’s ears during the healing process to avoid pain and infections.
Follow these simple steps to keep your baby’s ear piercing cared for:
- Avoid touching the piercings except for when you’re cleaning them
- Always use clean hands before touching the new piercings
- Two to three times per day, clean the entire area surrounding the piercings with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Use this as a reminder to check that the earrings are secure and gently rotate the earrings.
- Do not change the earrings for the first 4-6 weeks
- Keep an eye out of redness, puss or swelling that lasts longer than 24 hours after the initial piercing was done. If a fever of 100.4 or greater develops or the ears feel warm to the touch the piercings may be infected.
If baby has signs of infection, continue to follow stringent aftercare steps, and call your pediatrician right away for advice or care.
How do they pierce an infant’s ears?
While there are different methods for piercing ears and other body parts, the ideal way to pierce a baby’s ears is with a needle, not a piercing gun. An experienced piercer, doctor, or nurse will be able to advise you further on best practices.
The piercing process is similar for infants as it is for adults. A mark is made on the earlobe as a guide for where the holes should go, followed by sterilization and piercing with sterile equipment. Much like immunizations, you’ll be asked to hold baby still while the professional places the piercing. Earrings are then placed in the ears.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the sterilization process and watch closely to make sure the technician performing the piercing follows best practices for sanitation. A professional piercer will follow these steps for providing a clean, safe experience:
- Wash their hands and put on fresh gloves
- Needles, tools, and jewelry will be inside individually sealed, sterile packages
- The piercer will change gloves if they have to touch anything in the room aside from their sterile tools and equipment
The AAP recommends using gold post, stud earrings with safety backing to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and inflammation and for added security. They also advise that the procedure should be done under sanitary conditions by a trained professional.
Do they numb baby’s ears before piercing?
Anytime needles are involved, it’s not going to be a pleasant experience, especially for little ones. If you’re worried about discomfort during the piercing process, try bringing along an ice pack to help numb the area before and offer relief afterward.
Some pediatricians or medical professionals can prescribe a numbing cream or may apply it to the earlobe upon piercing if being done in a doctor’s office. Give your pediatrician a call to find out if this is an option for you.
Do babies cry when they get their ears pierced?
Just like with any injection, an ear-piercing will be painful for the baby, so expect some tears. Try icing the area before and after to offer relief or bring along a favorite toy, pacifier, bottle, etc. to offer comfort afterward. A tip to help reduce crying and anxiety is to call ahead to ask if there are two piercers available so the ears can be done at the same time.
FAQS
What is the safest way to pierce a baby’s ears?
The safest way to pierce a baby’s ears is to have it done by a professional. Although it is generally safe to have their ears pierced with a piercing gun, it’s recommended to take them somewhere that uses a hollow needle instead.
Is piercing baby ears cultural?
Sometimes, ear piercing in babies or children is cultural. However, this has also become a mainstream practice that is often done for decorative reasons instead of cultural reasons.
What is the best place to pierce baby ears near me?
In many cases, you can find a medical professional such as a pediatrician or dermatologist who will pierce your baby’s ears. If this isn’t an option in your area, a tattoo parlor is often the next best choice since they use a hollow needle instead of a piercing gun.
How much does it cost to pierce a baby’s ears?
The cost of your baby’s ear piercing will depend on where you go. While places like Claire’s only charge for the ear piercing kit, getting your baby’s ears pierced at the doctor could cost up to $100. Even though this seems pricey, your baby’s health and safety is the most important factor.
Should I pierce both ears at the same time or one at a time?
At most piercing places, your baby will have one ear pierced at a time since one person will be performing the piercing. However, some places may allow you to have both of your baby’s ears pierced at once if they have two people available. Having both done at once will mean the procedure is over much quicker, and you’ll be able to comfort your baby sooner.
