New Mom Has to Defend Herself after Piercing Her Day-Old Baby's Ears: 'Because I Wanted To'

Amid a swarm of online criticism, a mother bravely stood her ground after her decision to pierce her newborn daughter's ears just one day after her birth. Some people believe that the baby should have been given a chance to decide for herself when she was old enough. However, others supported the mother.

Unyielding in the face of criticism, a new mom who shares content online using her daughter's name as her handle, chose not to retreat but to shed light on her decision. Using TikTok, she introduced her bundle of joy, Lara, to the world.

It all started with a cute video of little Lara, showing her from her first few hours on Earth to three months old. Amidst the gushing comments and heart emojis, eagle-eyed viewers picked up on an unexpected detail - a tiny flower earring adorning Lara's ears, present from her very first day.

Interestingly, not everyone was against the mother's decision. Some people spoke out and supported her choice, reminding critics that ear piercing for young girls is a cherished tradition in several cultures.

In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, the unnamed mother, hailing from Colombia, responded to the avalanche of disapproval she had received. She answered the question on many lips: why pierce Lara's ears so early?

Her reply was as bold as it was sincere. "Well the answer is, because I wanted to, and that it is possible in our country. I think a few days after birth is much more non-traumatic for a child to pierce their ears than when they are one or two. Lara had no reaction when the doctors gave her the holes," she clarified.

As the newborn mother stood her ground amidst the swirling controversy, the comment section of her TikTok video turned into a battleground of opinions. Critics and supporters alike passionately voiced their perspectives on her decision to pierce newborn Lara's ears.

One user, Iris 0011, echoed the sentiments of many, saying, "Poor baby... she is not even a day old." Likewise, user Makje expressed concern for the infant, asking why a baby should endure unnecessary pain when it could have been postponed for a few years. User Gillian Millar wanted to know about the doctors' involvement, asking how a newborn baby's ears could be pierced while still in the hospital.

User Texandie was forthright in her objection, stating, "At BIRTH?? That's just wrong," and user goat.mum took issue with not just the piercing but also the size of the earrings, quipping that the newborn looked like she was channeling Blanche from the Golden Girls. User DijanaSkoko kept her comment short but impactful, declaring, "Earrings. Omg, that is not right."

Despite the torrent of disapproval, there were those who rallied behind the mother. User MarMarH used the cultural aspect angle, noting how common it is for girls in Latin America to have their ears pierced the day they are born.

Others echoed a similar sentiment to user 0ryana2, who suggested that piercing a baby's ears right after birth could be less painful due to the softness of the skin. User Ringo Joy DP reiterated this point, adding that it was a cultural practice in many countries to pierce girls' ears shortly after birth because of their soft skin.

User DemilyLane.x shared her personal experience in support of the mother, admitting, "I was 1 day old when I got my ears pierced. I don't remember the pain, neither do I have trauma. I think she's adorable - go you, mamma."

The mother has also demonstrated her nurturing side on her TikTok account, where she meticulously documents Lara's life. For instance, she shares Lara's first hospital stay in one video. The poignant footage captures little Lara lying in a hospital crib, connected to an oxygen mask.

Moreover, she shares lighthearted moments from Lara's life, charming her followers with the little girl's endearing antics. One adorable video features Lara with a beanie playfully pulled over her eyes as she attempts to suck on a bottle with its cap on. When the hat was lifted from her eyes, she gave the camera a bewildered glance yet continued on her mission, unperturbed.