Supermodel's Decision To Pierce Infant's Ears Sparks Controversy
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A recent photo on social media of a supermodel and her baby daughter has sparked debate about infant ear piercing. So, what's safe?
Folks weighed in on Twitter, when supermodel Gisele Bundchen tweeted a photo of herself with her 8-month-old, with pierced ears. So, I asked Newtown pediatrician Naline Lai, at what age is ear piercing safe?
"Some pediatricians tell patients to wait until after babies receive their first tetanus vaccine, but it's really not much of a risk, at least not in the United States."
She did warn about certain types of piercings, though.
"We never want kids to pierce cartilage, which would be in the upper part of the ear. You're allowed to pierce below, in the ear lobe."
Dr. Lai says ear piercing is a matter of choice, but it's actually quite common.
"We see in our office many babies who have earrings. It's very cultural for most people."
