All little girls start asking their parents for pierced ears at some point, but how do you know if they are ready for the responsibility of caring for ear piercings? Whether they think earrings are pretty or whether they just think that earrings will make them more grown-up, it’s important to communicate with them about their choice so you can decide together if the time is right.
What Age Is Right For Piercings?
The right age for pierced ears is a personal decision between you and your child and will differ for different families. Some parents like to have their baby’s ears pierced, but remember that a piercing is basically an open wound. Any wound is open to infection, so it’s important to wait for your infant’s immune system to be better able to fight off infection.
If you would prefer to wait until your child is old enough to decide for themselves if they want their ears pierced, wait until they are able to make a sensible choice. Around ten years old could be about right, as they will be able to take some responsibility for caring for their new piercings too.
Can They Manage The Pain Of Piercing?
Even though piercing is fast, it is painful. If your child is asking for their ears pierced, they need to understand that it will hurt, and you need to know they can manage the pain. If you have the ears pierced one at a time, you don’t want them to decide that it is too painful to continue after only one has been done.
Explain to them what will happen so they know what to expect. Remind them that even though it will hurt, the pain won’t last very long and they will have some beautiful new earrings to enjoy afterwards.
Can They Keep Their Piercings Clean?
Any piercing needs to be kept scrupulously clean so it doesn’t become infected. They, with or without your help, will need to establish a routine to care for the piercing. Decide whether they will be able to manage this on their own, or if they will need some help from you. Even if they are able to do this himself, it would be wise to help them for at least the first few times so you’re sure they’re doing it properly.
Ear piercings can take up to two to three months to heal fully and will need to be cleaned twice a day. Before you or they touch their ears, make sure you have washed hands first to avoid introducing dirt and germs. Clean the piercing with saline solution or soap and water.
It’s better to be sure that your child can understand how important it is to take care of their piercings properly before you allow them to have their ears pierced. Even if they need your help to clean the area, they should know that they need to leave their ears alone and allow them to heal properly.
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