Piercing baby's ears is a common thing parents do in Indonesia. One goal is to give the baby girl identity by putting small earrings.
Unlike the case in the United States, the procedure of ear piercing is often associated with cosmetic action. This action is also the pros and cons, some consider it unnecessary because it can be dangerous for the baby.
For example, when the program Kylie Jenner uploaded a video of her daughter, Stormi who had just pierced his ears and given earrings. Various comments came in and accused Jenner of having seized her daughter's 5-month-old right.
According to netizen, Stormi, has the right to decide whether he wants to wear jewelry or not.
Experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics do suggest that ear piercing is done when the child is old enough, when they are able to maintain their health.
However, in general there is no prohibition to do baby ear piercing.
"There is no definite age for ear piercing. As long as it is done with care and attention consciously, then it is not a problem. " Corey Wasserman, pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian.
However, he says, there is some risk of piercing the baby's ears, especially in infants younger than 3 months whose immune system is weak.
Possible risk of infection occurs by 24 percent of all ear piercing procedures. That's why the piercing should be done in the hospital so that the hygiene is maintained.
Another risk of ear piercing in infants is an allergic reaction to metals or paired jewelry.
In fact, this can lead to the formation of scar tissue or scars.
In some cases, the earrings are too tight, says Wasserman, causing the skin to grow over the back of the earrings, which require a surgical procedure to remove it.
Infection and excessive skin growth can indeed be prevented with proper care.
However, allergies and scar tissue formation are very difficult to control.
"Be sure to treat it appropriately with ointment, alcohol and antibiotics," says Wasserman.