This is what you should know before getting your baby's ears pierced

Many parents are outspokenly against it

Having your ears pierced is one of those things famously used by parents as a bargaining tool.

The reason it works so well in this way, is because the majority of little girls are desperate to be allowed to have them done.

Of course, the more wayward among us got this done without parental permission in a micro act of rebellion.

Most of the time, however, it's mum and dad who dictate when this seminal moment happens.

So is there such a thing as "too soon" when it comes to ear piercing?

Often, an individual's culture dictates the age a child has their ears pierced.

In Latin America and the Indian subcontinent, it's not unusual to see weeks-old babies with their ears pierced.

It's not unusual to see babies with ears pierced

Yet outside of these cultures, it's wildly debated over.

Questions are raised, such as: Is it fair to do that to your child without their being able to consent?

Also, is it medically advisable to do it to babies, considering their tender age?

According to obstetrician Dr Gannon, who spoke to Mamamia , from a medical point of view, there is no perfect age to do it .

Dr Gannon says having your ears pierced only comes with a minor risk of bleeding, infection, low-grade inflammation and scarring.

This applies at any age and does not change depending on whether a person is a child or adult.

What age do you think it's acceptable to have your child's ears pierced?

The obstetrician also acknowledged that while there is a risk of a child ripping an earring out, the chance of this happening - and subsequent complications - were low.

What Dr Gannon did advise was "to ask yourself the question 'does it really need to be done?, and in choosing the person who’s going to do it, just make sure that it’s done to the highest possible standards of hygiene to reduce the risk of infection."

As for the argument it causes a child pain who doesn't have a say in the procedure, Dr Gannon adds:

"It's not the case that small children don't perceive pain, but it is the case that they're less likely to recall a specific episode if it's done when they're only a few months of age."