Would you pierce the ears of a three-week-old baby?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (61534)
August 17, 2026 8:19pm CST
Today at the pharmacy there was a mother trying to cope with a very tiny baby who was absolutely screaming and wouldn't stop. The baby could barely even get her breath, she was crying so hard. The pharmacist came from behind the counter to ask the baby's mother if she could help.
Baby Mom said that she had the baby's ears pierced 3 days ago. Pharmacist took a look and informed the mother that one ear was terribly infected, and the baby appeared to have a fever. Baby Mom sat on the floor and cried, saying it was her fault for having it done...it ended up they called paramedics as the baby was obviously in distress and had screamed so hard she seemed to be gasping for breath.
Baby Mom also said that a friend had pierced her baby's ears because she couldn't get anyone to do it, they all said baby was too young. Evidently the piercing may not have been a sanitary one, who knows... she said the piercer friend used a darning needle.
I looked up how old a baby should be before ear piercings take place and it's supposedly at least 3 months, but many will not do piercings on babies at even that age. It is recommended that people wait until at least age 5-6, when the child can take care of her own ear care.
All that pain for that tiny three-week-old girl, because her mom wanted her to have pierced ears.
Would you pierce a baby's ears when they were this young?
11 people like this
12 responses
@FourWalls (87065)
• United States
6h
Um….NO. What a terrible thing to do to an infant.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (61534)
•
6h
I think the same as you do. I really think if you are going to poke holes in someone, they ought to be able to say yes or no!
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39958)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7h
That is tacky and harmful to a young baby.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (211520)
• United States
8h
That sounds quite unnecessary and possibly harmful..seems crazy really.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (61534)
•
8h
The pharmacist seemed rather surprised she would subject a newborn to a darning needle-piercing, but she did. Really crazy, indeed.
@toniganzon (79253)
• Philippines
Just now
WE wait for three months and it's done by our pediatrician. AT least with my nieces that's how it was done. And medical grade hypoallergenic earrings were used.
@thislittlepennyearns (69268)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
7h
My daughters ears were pierced at 9 months old.
@MarieCoyle (61534)
•
8h
I wanted pierced ears but my Dad and grandparents made me wait until I was 12. Dad didn't think young girls should wear earrings, he said.
I agree, way too young. I personally feel they should have to wait until much older.
1 person likes this
@kareng (81830)
• United States
5h
NO! That was cruel what that lady did. I hope the baby got over the infection quickly.
We let our girls decide if they wanted theirs done and when. I think my oldest was 8 when she had hers done and of course, the twins popped up wanting theirs done too. My husband did piercings at the jewelry store which was closed by then, so he got out the kit and did theirs. They all three cried. But it was fine the next day.
