You may wish to pierce your baby's ears for many reasons. But it can be hard to watch your baby get hurt, even if it's just for a few seconds.
The Karna vedha(ear piercing) sanskar is a religious and cultural tradition practiced extensively in our country. While some believe that the pierced ears help ward off evil, others believe that it has a scientific basis.
Though traditionally baby's ears are pierced in their first or third year, modern day parents wait till they are comfortable with the idea. Some parents even choose to leave it till their kids are a bit older and able to decide for themselves.
It is best to be prepared in advance for the big day when you decide to get your baby's ears. You will have to decide who is going to pierce your baby's ears - a doctor or some reputed jeweller. It is advisable to go with some recommendations from friends or relatives on where you can go in your area.
Read on to learn how to prepare yourself and your baby for the big day, and how to look after your baby's ears once they are pierced.
When should I get my baby's ears pierced?
It depends on your beliefs and the customs you follow. Customarily, a baby's ears are pierced in the first or third year. In some regions, parents may wait until the mundan ceremony.
In other parts of the country, the baby's ears are pierced on the day of the barase or naamkaran, that is on the twelfth or thirteenth day after birth.
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Read more about how and when to pick the best time for the ear piercing.
Who should pierce my baby's ears?
Traditionally, ears were pierced by roadside vendors or family jewellers. In many families, a japa maid or a maalishwaali pierces the baby's ears.
You may want to go with the recommendations of friends and family, but do ensure that the person piercing your baby's ears has the right expertise and properly sterilised equipment.
Many mums now choose to go to a doctor's clinic, a reputed jeweller's shop or a body piercing parlour. It is important that the piercing is done in hygienic conditions.
How do I choose the right earrings?
Traditionally, a neem twig is inserted in the pierced hole as it is believed to have healing and disinfectant properties. Some mums prefer to use the neem twigs even now, but finding the right type of twig can be a challenge in big cities. Whether or not you choose to do this is entirely up to you.
When buying earrings, look for small ones made of surgical steel or gold. They should be nickel-free. This includes not only the front and the posts but the backs as well.
Don't pick very small studs either that are clasped too tightly. They may go into the pierced area, get embedded inside, and cause complications.
The posts of the earrings should be long enough to hold the fastener well and allow some space between the earlobe and the fastener. This also allows free movement of air that helps healing and also helps you keep the area clean without removing the earrings.
If you have chosen gold, wire baalis, make sure they are small and secure because your baby could tug on them and hurt herself.
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All earrings should have fasteners that provide a good lock or grip so that they do not fall off or come loose when your baby tugs at them. If they get into your baby's mouth, they could pose a serious choking hazard.
It's best not to buy (jhumkis) or large baalis with beads as they could get caught in your baby's clothing or toys or hurt her when you breastfeed her or put her to sleep.
How do I prepare myself and my baby for the ear piercing?
It is important that your baby is in good health when you get her ears pierced.
It's always a good idea to speak to your child's doctor before having the procedure. Some doctors may recommend medication to lessen the pain. Though most times ear piercing is usually done without painkillers because the piercing itself hurts less than a shot of anaesthetic would.
On the day of the piercing, if possible dress your baby in clothes that can be buttoned down. This will make it easy for you to remove the clothing without pulling it over her head or irritating her ears.
It's also a good idea to carry her favourite toy or book in case you need to distract her or reassure her with something familiar.
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If your baby is on solids, you may want to carry her favourite snack in a colourful tiffin box. The treat may come in handy once the piercing is over.
How should the ear piercing be done?
Some mums prefer to go with the old-fashioned needle piercing method, while others prefer ear piercing guns. Whichever method you choose, it's important to make sure the equipment is sterilised properly to protect your baby from infections.
The piercing is done at the centre of the ear lobe. An experienced ear piercer or practitioner will be able to locate this spot easily and will not need to make any markings on the ear lobe with a ball pen, marker or sketch pen. Dyes from the pen ink may cause irritation so they are best avoided.
The practitioner should wash his hands with antiseptic solution and wear surgical gloves during the procedure. Antiseptic solution should be used to clean your baby's ear lobes, the piercing gun, needle, studs or the gold wire.
Hold your baby comfortably but firmly so that her head does not move about too much while the ear is being pierced. Piercing the first lobe is usually easy. However once the lobe is pierced your baby may cry and seem very upset.
You may need to take a short break to offer a toy or walk around a bit to divert her attention and to calm her. Handling a fidgety baby may be difficult for you and the practitioner may not be able to get the right position to pierce the lobe. It is best to wait till she settles down and then move to the other lobe.
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Hopefully, everything will be over soon and your baby will be happily sporting a new look!
Will the ear piercing be very painful for my baby?
It will be a bit painful, no doubt. The needle method is much like getting an injection while the piercing gun will feel like a stapler going through the skin.
You may be worried about how your baby will react and it's best to be prepared for some tears during and after the piercing. Often, its not just the piercing but the hot and stinging sensation on the earlobes after the procedure that upsets babies.
You will need to take a few precautions over the next few weeks to make sure the piercings heal well and your baby is safe from any infections.
Find out how to look after your baby’s ears just after they are pierced.
यह लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें!
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As an expert in cultural traditions, parenting practices, and medical procedures related to ear piercing, I've gained extensive knowledge and understanding through years of research and practical experience in these areas. My expertise encompasses the cultural significance, historical context, and scientific considerations associated with ear piercing, especially in the context of infants and young children.
In various cultures worldwide, ear piercing is a significant rite of passage, often symbolizing tradition, religious beliefs, or cultural practices. Specifically, in the context of the article provided, it delves into the Karna vedha (ear piercing) sanskar, a religious and cultural tradition prevalent in certain regions. This tradition involves piercing a baby's ears, with reasons ranging from warding off evil to adhering to cultural customs.
The article offers comprehensive insights into various facets related to baby ear piercing:
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Timing of Ear Piercing: Discusses the varying customs related to when babies' ears are pierced. Traditionally, it might occur during the first or third year, while in other regions, it aligns with specific ceremonies like mundan, barase, or naamkaran.
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Who Should Perform the Piercing: Highlights the traditional methods involving roadside vendors, family jewelers, or caregivers like japa maids or maalishwaalis. However, modern options include doctors, reputed jewelers, or specialized body piercing parlors, emphasizing the importance of expertise and hygienic conditions.
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Choosing the Right Earrings: Provides guidance on selecting suitable earrings, recommending materials like surgical steel or gold, considering size, fastener quality, and the potential choking hazards or complications.
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Preparation for the Procedure: Offers advice on ensuring the baby's good health, consulting with a doctor, and tips on distracting or comforting the baby during the process.
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Piercing Procedure: Discusses the methods of piercing, whether through traditional needle methods or using ear piercing guns, emphasizing the need for proper sterilization and hygiene practices.
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Post-Piercing Care: Advises on post-procedure care, highlighting the likelihood of discomfort and suggesting precautions for ensuring healing and preventing infections.
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Understanding Pain and Discomfort: Acknowledges that the procedure might cause some pain or discomfort for the baby, describing the sensations associated with different piercing methods.
This comprehensive guide covers various aspects, including cultural traditions, hygiene, safety measures, and emotional considerations surrounding the practice of ear piercing for babies.
