Forget the sense of choice. What about infections, which are much worse in infants? Cleaning and caring for earrings on a baby when you could just as well wait? What about baby laying on a blanket or learning to roll over on the carpet and getting the earring caught? I'd wait until after baby learns to walk at least. What about keloid issues and baby learning to tug on its ears to alleviate irritation? What about earring falling out and toddler swallowing it? There's a lot to consider. Honestly, piercing a child less than 5 years old is completely pointless in my mind. In my mind, you can choose vanity OR you can choose better care for your child, there's no "and".