A Guide to Choosing the Best Earrings for Babies and Toddlers

Did you know that 40% of parents with daughters have pierced their child’s ears and nearly 50% of parents pierced their child’s ear when they were under the age of 2?

If you’re reading this, then you’ve probably decided to pierce your child’s ears. It’s an exciting time and a huge milestone for you and your child. You’ll look back and remember this moment as your child celebrates other jewelry milestones, like their first promise ring, their engagement ring, or their wedding ring.

It’ll be the perfect keepsake that you can give to your child on a special occasion. Your parents have probably saved your toddler earrings as a memento. No matter how much time passes, you will remember your child’s first toddler earrings.

Before you make this big decision about your first toddler earrings, you probably want to know what to look for when buying earrings for toddlers, what size your toddler earrings should be, and what design is best suited for baby earrings. Keep on reading for your guide on choosing the best earrings for babies and toddlers!

Importance of First Toddler Earrings

The first pair of earrings for toddlers is an important milestone. You want the world for your baby. Every day with every gift, you try to give your baby the world.

Every pair of jewelry for toddlers has significance to you. There is, however, something special about the first pair of earrings for babies because it comes with the momentous occasion of their first piercing. That moment is filled with hope and love.

Memories to Capture

You have their first step and their first word memorialized in a hundred pictures and videos. On average, parents post almost 1,000 pictures of their child by their fifth birthday.

At every party, you pull out the thousands of snippets of memories of your child proudly. Their first piercing will bring you that same level of pride and joy.

As they grow older, they’ll wear earrings with casual elegance and forget the pain and healing of their first piercing. For you, this moment will be another beautiful memory that you will cherish forever as a parent.

Pain Forgotten Sooner

Your child is resilient. They fall and get back up over and over. They bang their foot and bawl their eyes out, but a few minutes later they’ve forgotten the pain and moved on to another discovery.

As they get older, they face anxiety and fear over the pain of getting a piercing. Many don’t end up getting their ears pierced because of this fear even though they want to enjoy wearing earrings. You can save your child unnecessary fear or anxiety by getting their first piercing done the right way.

Memento for the Future

That first pair of earrings that you will put on your toddler is special. As they grow older, you will put away that pair of first toddler earrings and keep them safe. When the time comes, you will give the toddler earrings to your child as a memento.

It’s “something old” for your child’s wedding. It’s something cherished for when your child has a baby. It’ll be the perfect memento to remember the past and hope for the future.

Passing on to Next Generation

Your first toddler earrings are an investment. The right toddler earrings will be a size and design that you can keep for a long time to come. You can keep it safe and give it as a gift when your child has their first child.

You can pass on the tradition to the next generation. Your child and their children will always have a piece of history that they can carry with them.

Wear Until Healed

Your baby needs to wear that same earring until their new piercing has healed, which can take almost 6 months. This makes the decision of the first toddler earrings extremely important. You don’t want your baby to get allergies or infections because of the material or style of the earring.

The material and size of the toddler can make a huge difference in the comfort levels of your baby. The more comfortable the earrings are, the less fussy they’ll be. This means that the piercing can heal easily without pain or infections.

Where Should I Get My Toddler’s Ears Pierced?

You already know this, but that cheap jewelry store down the road that offers free piercings when you buy earrings from them is probably not the best place to get your toddler's ears pierced. Choosing the wrong piercing place can result in infections or piercings that don’t match.

You want to make sure that you have a professional touching your baby’s ear. They are also your first stop to see if your baby has allergies to any metals.

Contact your primary doctor or pediatrician and see if they offer piercing services. Many doctors and pediatricians do offer piercing services for babies and toddlers. They have the right equipment to make sure your baby’s piercings are completed safely and correctly.

If you don’t want to go to a doctor or your doctor doesn’t provide these services, do your research to find a reputable piercing salon. Make sure that they’ve done toddler piercings before. Doctors recommend that the piercing is completed using a needle, instead of a piercing gun for safety reasons.

Check reviews before booking an appointment. Also, make sure to have them walk you through their sanitization process. This is even more important in the pandemic era.

What Do I Need to Know Before Getting My Toddler Ears Pierced?

After a lot of research, you’ve finally decided where to get your baby’s ears pierced. That’s one big hurdle you’ve completed. But there are still some things to remember before your appointment.

Get Your Baby’s Immunizations

Doctors and most piercing places will want to make sure that your baby’s immunizations are up to date, especially tetanus shots. Even though there's a low risk of tetanus from your toddler's piercings, this is a requirement most doctors prefer having.

Having full immunization ensures that your baby’s immune system is strong and resilient. This means they can fight off infections easier.

Having complete immunization records will make your baby’s first piercing smooth and easy, without added irritations and annoyances.

Know Allergies Beforehand

If possible, you want to make sure that you know if your baby is allergic to any metal. Studies have shown that metals are the most common allergies in children, particularly nickel. Nickel allergy is becoming increasingly prevalent in industrialized nations.

If your baby is allergic to nickel, they can end up having dry rashes or irritated skin from constant contact with nickel earrings. These can be quite painful leading to more fidgeting, irritation, and possible infections.

Many cheaper earrings may contain nickel, lead, or cadmium. To avoid any potential allergies, you can choose hypoallergenic metals like gold, silver, titanium, or stainless steel. Getting the right toddler earrings beforehand can make all the difference.

Check out the new arrivals at Body Pierce Jewelry for more ideas on the right toddler earrings for your baby.

Pain and Fidgeting

Pain during and after a piercing is inevitable. In most cases, the pain doesn’t last very long.

The fatty part of the earlobe has fewer nerves than the other parts of the ear. So, it would feel less painful than getting other parts of the ear pierced.

Support the Healing Process

To support the healing process and prevent the piercing from closing, make sure to not take the toddler earrings out for at least 6 weeks.

You can change your earrings after 6 weeks, but you have to ensure that your child wears those earrings for at least 6 months without removing them. That’s how long it takes for your ears to heal.

To help the healing process, make sure to clean the piercing every day with alcohol or mild soapy water. If you end up irritating the skin, it can increase the healing time.

Keep an Eye Out for Infections

You want to make sure that your child’s piercing experience is as smooth as possible. By cleaning the area and supporting the healing process, you’re already making a difference. Infections can arise because of several reasons, including:

• Piercings not done correctly
• Piercing too tight or doesn’t fit right, for example, if it doesn’t allow for swelling
• Cleaning not done properly leads to bacteria
• Dry rash from an allergy getting worse and infected

Going to the right place can also help minimize the risk of infections. Make sure to keep an eye on the area to make sure any redness or swelling fades over time.

Make Sure to Keep It Clean

Cleaning is very important to the healing process. If you see black stuff or other build-ups, this could be because you didn’t pick the right toddler earrings. Clean the area front and back with alcohol on a cotton swab a few times a day.

Some of the cheaper earrings can start to oxidize when the metal comes in contact with sweat or body oils. This is another reason to make sure you get the best quality hypoallergenic earrings for your toddler.

On the other hand, if you decide that piercing is not the way to go for your toddler, you can always consider other jewelry for babies, like bracelets and necklaces. Check out the collection of jewelry for toddlers at Body Pierce Jewelry to find the perfect gift for your little one.

What’s the Difference Between Adult and Baby Earrings?

There is a difference between adult and baby earrings. Unless you have an allergy, you can go to the store and pick any style or design and enjoy wearing earrings without issues. Those three-inch chandelier earrings that could get you stage-ready in a millisecond, or those classic hoops that make you feel playful and flirty, there are no limits for adult earrings.

Toddler earrings, on the other hand, are very different. There are several differences you need to be aware of when buying baby earrings.

Not surprisingly, baby earrings are smaller than adult earrings. They also have shorter posts because of the size of the baby’s ears.

The biggest difference is the weight of the earrings. To avoid irritation, earrings for babies are lightweight. This too is to accommodate the size of your baby’s ears.

The backing of toddler earrings is more secure than adult earrings. You don’t want to lose an earring because of fussy babies, or have them accidentally swallow an earring, or even create a choking hazard.

What Material Should Toddler Earrings Be?

It matters what your toddler earrings are made of. As an adult, you can wear those dollar store earrings for Halloween without a moment’s thought. Your baby will want the best material that’s right for them.

Your first instinct is to go for the cute designs and the pretty stones, but it should be about what material the toddler earrings are made of. You should ensure that the parts of the earrings that touch your baby’s skin are made of top-quality material.

Consider getting hypoallergenic earrings so you don’t worry about allergies.

Hypoallergenic Earrings

Some cheaper earrings contain nickel, lead, or cadmium, which can cause allergies and can even be toxic to your baby. You should avoid these at all costs.

Allergies are not fun to deal with. Your toddler can end up with red, inflamed skin that can take a while to heal. You’ll need to take the earring out, which can also extend the piercing experience.

Luckily, you have several different hypoallergenic options to choose from.

Gold

You want the best for your baby. High-quality gold earrings can be the right choice for your first toddler earrings. You should aim for a minimum of 14K gold earrings because they have enough gold in them. This way, you can be sure that your toddler will not get a reaction from any other metals mixed in the gold.

18K gold earrings are perfect as an investment for those toddlers who are more sensitive to metals.

These are going to be more expensive, but remember that your first toddler earrings will be an investment that you get to cherish this gift for a long time. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with gold toddler earrings.

For different top-quality options for 14K gold toddler earrings, check out the collection at Body Pierce Jewelry.

Sterling Silver

Silver is also a good option for your first toddler earrings. Like gold, you can store your silver earrings and pass them down through generations.

Pure silver is too soft and malleable. Sterling silver is made from 92.5% silver. It is mixed with 7.5% other alloys such as copper or zinc. Getting sterling silver toddler earrings means there’s less chance of reactions.

While silver may tarnish over time, you can always get it cleaned and restored. High-quality silver toddler earrings are also coated with rhodium to protect against tarnishing and irritations from silver.

Silver jewelry can be 75 times less expensive than gold jewelry. If price is a consideration, sterling silver toddler earrings can be the next best option.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel can be a cheaper and durable option for your toddler earrings. They are especially a good choice if your toddler has highly sensitive skin. It's really easy to take care of because it's resistant to corrosion.

Another thing to note is that it does not attract germs and bacteria. Using this for your toddler's earrings can reduce the chances of developing allergies or infections.

Unfortunately, stainless steel is a mix of alloys. It contains at least 10.5% chromium, which is the reason it does not rust. It also contains nickel. Both nickel and chromium cause allergies.

Disney had to recall around 1,200 Buzz Light Year and Tinker Bell watches in 2011 because of nickel allergies. Children had had skin irritations and burning sensations while wearing the watch because of the nickel in the stainless steel.

Titanium

Titanium does not contain nickel, so it can be a good choice for someone with extremely sensitive skin. There's less chance of any allergies to titanium earrings.

Materials to Avoid

There are some types of materials you should try to avoid for your first toddler earrings. Most of the materials you should avoid because of the nickel or other alloy content. These increase the chances of your toddler getting allergies.

Gold-Plated

Some toddler jewelry is gold-plated, which can be less expensive. Even if the toddler earrings are coated in 14K gold, the coating is still a thin layer. The base layer of the earrings may contain nickel.

Once the gold coating fades, you are going to be stuck with nickel allergies or a piece of jewelry that you can't use again. Think of your toddler earrings as an investment, and avoid getting products that can cause more damage in the future.

Gold Higher Than 18 Karats

Remember the higher karat you buy, the softer the gold is. You can end up with gold earrings that can get damaged and scratched, leaving room for more irritations and damage to your toddler's skin.

Gold Lower Than 14 Karats

Generally, 14K is the best option for your toddler earrings. Anything less than 14K means that the earrings are going to be mixed with other metals, including nickel.

What Size Should Toddler Earrings Be?

Once you know what material you want for your earrings, remember that toddler earrings are smaller than adult earrings. They should be lightweight, so your baby barely feels them on.

In most cases, earrings for babies are between 3mm to 4mm, depending on the size of your baby’s ear. The length of the post can range from 8mm to 9mm. The size, shape, and thickness of your toddlers’ ears are an important consideration to getting the right size earrings.

What Backing Should Toddler Earrings Have?

The backing of your toddler earrings can make a huge difference to your child’s comfort. If it’s not the right size or the wrong backing, it will not leave enough space to allow for the swelling, causing further irritation. The wrong backing can also trap bacteria over time.

Screw-Backs

As the name suggests, screw-backs screw onto the post. This means your toddle earrings will stay secure no matter how much your toddler fidgets. You’ll note that most people will recommend screw-backs because of their security.

You want to ensure that your screw-back earrings have a covered back, which makes them appealing, unlike butterfly backs. Nothing sharp will poke your toddler as they sleep or move around. This provides added protection and safety for your baby.

Butterfly Backs

Butterfly backs are what you see on your regular earrings. These slide onto the post on the earring.

At the end of the day, you need to know that butterfly backs are not as secure as screw-backs. They also don’t have the covered backs that can protect your baby’s skin. Most jewelry stores will not recommend a butterfly back for your babies.

What’s an Ideal Design for Your Baby Earrings?

You’re almost at the end of all the decisions you must make for this important gift. Now, you need to start thinking about the design of the earrings. You can have them as studs or hoops, but it depends on your preferences.

Hoops are classics, but studs have more options available for them. You can pick the design and the type of stone, giving you more leeway over the style. If you do pick hoops as your baby earrings, make sure the hoop is close to the ear lobe to ensure that doesn’t get caught in anything.

You can choose something that dangles, but those are better for young kids rather than babies. You don’t want them snagging on things or getting pulled.

You can also get reversible studs with a gemstone or birthstone on one end and a simple gold ball stud on the other side. These are screw-backs that remain secure no matter what while offering choice.

Which Stones Can I Use for My Toddler Earrings?

If you went with the studs, you now need to decide what stone to get. You need to get a stone that fits your baby’s ear. If you end up with a stone that’s too large or heavy, it can become uncomfortable for your toddler.

Diamond

Diamond is always a good choice for your first toddler earrings. They are an investment that will have value no matter how much time has passed. It may even appreciate with time.

The most common diamond carat is 0.1 to 0.14 carat for babies and toddlers. You can even have matching diamonds earrings for you and your baby.

Birthstones

If a diamond doesn’t work for you, you can pick your toddler’s birthstone. Different birthstones have different meanings associated with them. By keeping their birthstone close, your baby will always attract those energies in their life.

If you’re born in February, your birthstone is amethyst. Not only is the amethyst a beautiful violet color, wearing amethyst can strengthen relationships and provide courage.

Being born in September means that you should keep a Sapphire next to you. Sapphire is a deep blue gemstone that guards against evil and poisoning. It also represents purity and wisdom.

Pearl

Another classic approach is to go with pearl earrings for your toddler. It’s elegant and beautiful that will make a beautiful gift at their wedding someday.

Swarovski or Crystals

If genuine stones are not your cup of tea, you can turn to Swarovski or some other crystals to get the same feeling of elegance and beauty without the price tag. Some crystals have healing energy that can protect and balance your child's energy.

Polished stones provide your child with more soothing and balanced energies. For example, rose quartz has warm energy that brings unconditional love to your child's life.

Cubic Zirconia or Lab-Grown Diamond

Cubic zirconia is a man-made gem that looks like diamonds. One of the reasons to skip the diamond and get cubic zirconia is the cost, especially since they don't get worn for long. You may also choose to avoid diamonds for environmental reasons.

Cubic zirconia is less expensive than diamonds and has the same level of elegance as a real diamond.

The price of 1 karat cubic zirconia can be less than $50, but a 1-carat real diamond can end up costing you around $1,300. Lab-grown diamonds can cost you on average about 30-40% less than the cost of genuine diamonds.

You do lose some of the clarity and luster with cubic zirconia. Instead, you can also get lab-grown diamonds. You can still save money without losing quality.

Remember that both cubic zirconia and lab-grown diamond have little to no resale value. Their value doesn't increase or stay stable with time, like gold, silver, or diamonds.

What Else Should I Consider?

You now have a detailed understanding of how to choose the best earrings for babies or toddlers. One other thing to note is the style of the earrings. You can have prong style or bezel style.

The more traditional style is a prong style that holds the diamond in place. These, unfortunately, can snag easily. This means they’re not the best choice for your toddler earrings.

A bezel-set circles the whole diamond or stone. These rarely snag making them more appropriate for your toddler.

You can also consider what other styles to get for your baby earrings. Some designs involve charms like horseshoe or shamrock with a diamond or other stone in the middle. You can also get the traditional heart-shaped earrings to show your love.

Should I Buy Toddler Earrings Online?

Yes, absolutely! Buying online allows you the widest selection of choices that you wouldn't have in person.

You can also get better prices by buying jewelry online. This is because they don't have to mark up their products to pay for pricey rental locations for their brick-and-mortar stores.

Of course, you should do your research and find a store that you trust. Check the reviews before you make your decision. Contact them to get more information about your purchases. You want to make sure that your jewelry is 100% nickel, lead, and cadmium-free.

Look for a place that offers reliable and fast shipping worldwide. You also need to be able to exchange or return items with ease in case the toddler earrings don’t look like you want them to. You don’t want to get stuck with something you don’t like because of strict return policies.

Some jewelry places also offer warranties that can also give you some comfort when making your purchase. For example, check out Body Pierce Jewelry’s 90-day warranty. This means that you are protected from all manufacturer defects in material or workmanship in your toddler earrings. If there is a defect, you can get replacement earrings for free.

Check Out Your Trusted Jewelry Store Today

You have a wide range of options at your disposal. You understand what to do before and after getting the piercing. More importantly, you know what materials your toddler earrings are made of to avoid allergies.

You have styles, stones, and designs to choose from. For a wide collection of toddler earrings, check out Body Pierce Jewelry. They offer fast and reliable shipping and easy exchanges. You can find your first or future toddler earrings that are exactly what you’re looking for.