Is This Mum's Baby Bling Trendy or Tacky? Internet Divided Over Viral Post
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When it comes to parenting, everyone seems to have an opinion—especially when it comes to what we put on (or in) our little ones. The latest viral debate? A mum’s decision to deck out her nine-month-old daughter in chunky gold hoop earrings, sparking a social media storm that’s left the internet divided.
Molly Ahern, the mum at the centre of the controversy, shared a short video online featuring her baby girl snuggled up under a blanket, sporting a pair of eye-catching gold hoops. The post was meant to be a light-hearted take on cherishing baby cuddles before the teenage years hit, with Molly joking, ‘Treasuring these cuddles cause in 15 years I’m gonna be a 'fat s**g' for not letting a drug dealer with one tracksuit and a 3.5 to his name stay in my home with her.’ The caption? Simply: ‘no boyfriends.’
But while Molly’s sense of humour got a few laughs, it was the bling that really got people talking. Comments flooded in, ranging from the tongue-in-cheek—‘Holy council estate’—to the downright critical. ‘The earrings say enough already,’ one person sniffed, while another accused Molly of putting her baby ‘through pain’ just for the sake of cuteness. ‘You abused that poor baby by piercing their ears and putting chavvy earrings in,’ another commenter declared.
Of course, the internet being what it is, not all the feedback was negative. Some users leapt to Molly’s defence, pointing out that piercing baby girls’ ears is a long-standing tradition in many cultures. ‘In a great part of Europe they pierce every girl’s ears as a baby. It’s not at all painful. Let’s not shame this poor mum. It’s her baby and it’s painless!’ one supporter wrote. Another added, ‘I think they are cute. I don’t get everyone’s problem. Everyone’s just hating because they can’t put their own kids in gold.’
Molly herself wasn’t shy about clapping back at the critics, telling one to ‘put a sock in it’ and clarifying that her daughter was nine months old at the time of the piercing and didn’t cry during the process. ‘She’s my princess, not yours,’ she insisted.
But beyond the social media squabble, the debate raises some interesting questions about parenting choices, cultural traditions, and the ever-present scrutiny mums and dads face online.
Ear Piercing for Babies: A Cultural Tradition or a Modern Taboo?
For many families, piercing a baby’s ears is a rite of passage. In countries like Spain, Italy, and much of Latin America, it’s common for girls to have their ears pierced within weeks of birth. The practice is often seen as a way to celebrate femininity, family heritage, or simply to avoid the ‘trauma’ of a first piercing later in life.
Here in Australia, the rules are a bit more varied. There are no national laws regulating infant ear piercing, but most states require written parental consent for children under 16. Many reputable piercing studios have their own policies, often refusing to pierce babies under a certain age or without clear aftercare instructions.
What Do Health Experts Say?
While the jury’s out on whether baby ear piercing is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, health professionals do have some advice for parents considering it. The main concerns are hygiene, infection risk, and the potential for injury if earrings get caught or pulled. Experts recommend:
- Using a reputable, hygienic piercing service (preferably one that uses needles, not piercing guns)
- Choosing small, lightweight, hypoallergenic studs rather than large or heavy hoops
- Monitoring the healing process closely and keeping the area clean
- Removing earrings during sleep or play to avoid accidents
It’s also worth noting that babies’ earlobes are still developing, and heavy or dangling earrings can cause stretching or even tearing if tugged.
The Bigger Picture: Parenting in the Age of Social Media
Perhaps the most interesting part of this story isn’t the earrings themselves, but the way a simple parenting choice can ignite such a fierce debate online. In the age of Instagram and TikTok, every decision—from what we feed our kids to how we dress them—can become public fodder for praise or criticism.
For many over-60s, this level of scrutiny might seem baffling. After all, plenty of us remember a time when baby ear piercing was just something families did, without a second thought (or a viral hashtag). But today’s parents are navigating a world where every choice is up for discussion—and sometimes, for judgment.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Is baby bling a cute tradition, or a step too far? Should we be more accepting of cultural differences, or more cautious about what we put our little ones through? And most importantly—should strangers on the internet really have a say in how we raise our kids?
You can watch the video below:
Credit: @molly.ahern21 / TikTok
We’d love to hear your thoughts, members! Did you or your children have their ears pierced as babies? Do you think it’s a harmless tradition, or do you have concerns about safety and consent? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going!
Molly Ahern, the mum at the centre of the controversy, shared a short video online featuring her baby girl snuggled up under a blanket, sporting a pair of eye-catching gold hoops. The post was meant to be a light-hearted take on cherishing baby cuddles before the teenage years hit, with Molly joking, ‘Treasuring these cuddles cause in 15 years I’m gonna be a 'fat s**g' for not letting a drug dealer with one tracksuit and a 3.5 to his name stay in my home with her.’ The caption? Simply: ‘no boyfriends.’
But while Molly’s sense of humour got a few laughs, it was the bling that really got people talking. Comments flooded in, ranging from the tongue-in-cheek—‘Holy council estate’—to the downright critical. ‘The earrings say enough already,’ one person sniffed, while another accused Molly of putting her baby ‘through pain’ just for the sake of cuteness. ‘You abused that poor baby by piercing their ears and putting chavvy earrings in,’ another commenter declared.
A mum received backlash on social media after letting her nine-month-old baby wear chunky earrings. Credit: @molly.ahern21 / TikTok
Of course, the internet being what it is, not all the feedback was negative. Some users leapt to Molly’s defence, pointing out that piercing baby girls’ ears is a long-standing tradition in many cultures. ‘In a great part of Europe they pierce every girl’s ears as a baby. It’s not at all painful. Let’s not shame this poor mum. It’s her baby and it’s painless!’ one supporter wrote. Another added, ‘I think they are cute. I don’t get everyone’s problem. Everyone’s just hating because they can’t put their own kids in gold.’
Molly herself wasn’t shy about clapping back at the critics, telling one to ‘put a sock in it’ and clarifying that her daughter was nine months old at the time of the piercing and didn’t cry during the process. ‘She’s my princess, not yours,’ she insisted.
But beyond the social media squabble, the debate raises some interesting questions about parenting choices, cultural traditions, and the ever-present scrutiny mums and dads face online.
Ear Piercing for Babies: A Cultural Tradition or a Modern Taboo?
For many families, piercing a baby’s ears is a rite of passage. In countries like Spain, Italy, and much of Latin America, it’s common for girls to have their ears pierced within weeks of birth. The practice is often seen as a way to celebrate femininity, family heritage, or simply to avoid the ‘trauma’ of a first piercing later in life.
Here in Australia, the rules are a bit more varied. There are no national laws regulating infant ear piercing, but most states require written parental consent for children under 16. Many reputable piercing studios have their own policies, often refusing to pierce babies under a certain age or without clear aftercare instructions.
What Do Health Experts Say?
While the jury’s out on whether baby ear piercing is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, health professionals do have some advice for parents considering it. The main concerns are hygiene, infection risk, and the potential for injury if earrings get caught or pulled. Experts recommend:
- Using a reputable, hygienic piercing service (preferably one that uses needles, not piercing guns)
- Choosing small, lightweight, hypoallergenic studs rather than large or heavy hoops
- Monitoring the healing process closely and keeping the area clean
- Removing earrings during sleep or play to avoid accidents
It’s also worth noting that babies’ earlobes are still developing, and heavy or dangling earrings can cause stretching or even tearing if tugged.
The Bigger Picture: Parenting in the Age of Social Media
Perhaps the most interesting part of this story isn’t the earrings themselves, but the way a simple parenting choice can ignite such a fierce debate online. In the age of Instagram and TikTok, every decision—from what we feed our kids to how we dress them—can become public fodder for praise or criticism.
For many over-60s, this level of scrutiny might seem baffling. After all, plenty of us remember a time when baby ear piercing was just something families did, without a second thought (or a viral hashtag). But today’s parents are navigating a world where every choice is up for discussion—and sometimes, for judgment.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Is baby bling a cute tradition, or a step too far? Should we be more accepting of cultural differences, or more cautious about what we put our little ones through? And most importantly—should strangers on the internet really have a say in how we raise our kids?
You can watch the video below:
Credit: @molly.ahern21 / TikTok
We’d love to hear your thoughts, members! Did you or your children have their ears pierced as babies? Do you think it’s a harmless tradition, or do you have concerns about safety and consent? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going!
