There is little risk of infection when ear piercing is done at any age so far as it is done carefully and cared for well.  It can be done at any age, however the America Academy of pediatrics recommends  that you wait until the child is old enough to take care of the pierced site herself .

In the United States, it  is not the usual practice to pierce a newborn’s ears at the hospital. You can have it done after you go home.  It is recommended that you have a doctor, nurse or certified technician perform the actual piercing procedure.

It is also  recommended that you use gold, silver, platinum or stainless steel studs instead of hoops when piercing your baby’s ear. These reduce the risk of infection and rash.

It is also important to stick to small tight earring that have  nothing dangling or sharp. Hoops and dangling earrings  can get caught in the child clothing or be pulled on by the baby or other children.

How to avoid infection after ear piercing

After piercing ,

• always wash your hands before touching newly  pierced ears
• apply rubbing alcohol or antibiotic ointment  twice a day for about a week  using a cotton ball or Q-tips. This will hasten the healing process and reduce the risk of infection
•  do not remove the earrings  for about  4 to 6 weeks but you should rotate  them gently 2 to 3 times   each day.
• if  the piercing becomes red and tender, it may be a sign of an infection. Seek medical help immediately.