When should I consider having my child's ears pinned back?

Here's what to do if your child is born with ears that stick out. Kids love to tease other kids with big ears, calling them affectionate names like "Dumbo." These cruel remarks leave emotional scars for life. Surgery can correct those ears but shouldn't be done until the child is 6 years old, when the ear has pretty much stopped growing and when the procedure can be done under local anesthesia.