Removing a baby’s earrings takes about 30 seconds once you know the technique, but it helps to understand the type of backing you’re working with and how to keep your baby comfortable during the process. The key is a steady grip on both the front and back of the earring, a straight pull, and clean hands.
Wait at Least 6 to 8 Weeks First
Starter earrings need to stay in place for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for earlobe piercings. Removing them too early risks the hole closing, sometimes within hours for a fresh piercing on a baby. If the piercing was done in cartilage (the upper ear), it needs several months before the first removal.
During this healing window, the only thing you should be doing is cleaning around the earring twice a day using a pierced-ear cleaning solution, which is available at most drugstores without a prescription. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends cleaning both sides of the earlobe and avoiding rubbing alcohol. Also avoid solutions containing benzalkonium chloride, which can irritate healing skin.
Know Your Backing Type
Baby earrings typically come with one of three backing styles, and the removal technique differs slightly for each.
- Butterfly backs (push backs): The most common type. A small metal piece with two flat “wings” grips the post through friction. You pinch the wings and slide it off.
- Screw backs: Popular for babies because they don’t fall off easily. The backing threads onto the post like a tiny bolt. You twist counterclockwise to unscrew it.
- Safety backs: These have a locking mechanism or an enclosed design that prevents small parts from detaching. Some require you to press a small lever or tab before sliding the back off.
If you’re not sure which type your baby has, look closely at the back of the earlobe. Butterfly backs have visible metal wings fanning out from the post. Screw backs sit flush and feel smooth. Safety backs are often rounder or bulkier than standard backings.
Step-by-Step Removal
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the earrings or your baby’s ears. Have a small dish or container nearby so you don’t lose the tiny parts.
For butterfly backs, hold the front of the earring (the decorative part) gently between your thumb and index finger with one hand. With your other hand, grasp the butterfly back and pinch it slightly to release its grip on the post. Then slide it straight back off the post. Don’t twist or pull at an angle, as that tugs on the piercing hole and causes discomfort. If the back feels stuck, try applying steady, gentle pressure while pulling straight back rather than forcing it.
For screw backs, stabilize the front of the earring so it doesn’t spin and tug at the hole. With your other hand, twist the back counterclockwise (to the left). Once it’s unscrewed, slide it off the post. These can feel tight after weeks of wear, so be patient and keep the turns slow.
Once the backing is off, gently push the earring post forward from behind to slide the stud out through the front of the earlobe. Set both pieces in your container immediately.
Tips for Keeping Your Baby Still
Most babies won’t sit patiently for earring removal. Try doing it while your baby is sleeping, drowsy after a feeding, or distracted by a toy or screen. Having a second adult help is ideal: one person holds the baby and keeps their head steady while the other removes the earring. If your baby is squirming, pause and wait rather than pulling at an angle, which can hurt and make the next attempt harder.
The actual removal shouldn’t cause pain if the piercing is fully healed. Your baby may fuss from being held still more than from the earring coming out.
What to Do Right After Removal
Once the earrings are out, clean both sides of each earlobe with pierced-ear solution or sterile saline. You may notice a small amount of dried crust around the hole, which is normal. Gently wipe it away. The skin around the piercing might look slightly pink for a short time.
If you’re swapping to new earrings, insert them right away. For healed but still relatively new piercings (under 6 months old), leaving earrings out for more than a few hours can cause the hole to start narrowing. Babies’ skin heals quickly, so even overnight without earrings can make reinsertion difficult.
When Something Doesn’t Look Right
A backing that won’t move at all, or one that appears to be sinking into or embedded in the earlobe, needs professional attention. This can happen if earrings are too tight or if swelling from an infection has grown around the backing.
Signs of infection include redness that spreads beyond the immediate piercing site, swelling, warmth, pus or yellow-green discharge, and your baby showing signs of pain when the ear is touched. An infected piercing should generally be evaluated before you attempt removal at home, because removing the earring from an infected piercing can sometimes trap the infection inside the closing hole.
If the earring post feels stuck when you try to slide it out, don’t force it. Soak a cotton ball in warm saline and hold it against the earlobe for a minute or two to soften any dried discharge that may be acting like glue. Try again gently. If it still won’t budge, a pediatrician or the piercing professional can help.