Ear Piercing for 5 Month Old

Back in the day they used to do it in the hospital before you went home. It's just not as big a deal as some people make it out to be. In college I worked in a jewelry store in the mall and we did babies all the time. After the initial shock they forget all about it once they get their bottle or pacifier. The problem was the mothers. If we could get them to stand outside we would because they would upset the babies more than the actual piercing. Go to the mall get it done, she'll be fine.

I just wanted to say that I got my daughters ears peirced when she was a baby and is now not able to use the holes. The ears grow as the child grows and the shop that did her ears did it too low and so she can't put anything in them now. Also young children are more likely to get the earrings caught on things and could easily rip them out. Just a word of caution. I know many people do it with out any problems.

I had my daughters done when she was 2 months old by her pediatrician. She didn't want to do it but I told her I would have it done at a mall and then I'de be worried about an infection. i ALSO TOLD HER THAT MY REASON FOR WANTING IT DONE WHILE MY LITTLE ONE WAS SO YOUNG IS BECAUSE i WANTED THE EARS TO HEAL BEFORE SHE WAS OLD ENOUGH TO START PULLING AT HER EARS.

I'm actually surprised Claires/Icing is still in the ear piercing business. They lost a lawsuit a few years back against family friends because of a huge infection their daughter got that took a big part of her ear (what she has left is deformed) due to their unsanitary practices. Maybe they've cleaned up but I doubt it. Please consider going to a doctor who does this sort of thing. I think one mom mentioned someone in the city. Even if it costs more, you can be sure doctors know all about sterilization. Teenage girls working at Claires do not. And your daughter's immune system isn't quite finished building yet, so I wouldn't take any chances.

Just a thought - why not wait to see if your daughter actually WANTS to have her ears pierced when she's older?

As far as it "hurting less now" do you really have a way of knowing for sure? Plus, if there is an infection or something along those lines, it's going to be very painful for her. She won't have to touch them to become infected - piercings open two new entry points into the body.

Just the flipside to consider...

Hi J.~
I highly recommend having her pediatrician do it. If your doctor doesn't do piercings, I know other dr. offices will do it, even if not their own patients, you just have to call around to find one. I personally think it is safer & cleaner having it done that young. Otherwise, me & my sister have had all of our piercings done at piercing pagoda as well. At that age, I just think a dr. would be the best bet.
J.

I just got my daughter's ears pierced about two weeks ago; she was 3 months old. We just went to Claire's at the mall. They made a big deal being sanitary, and how to clean the ears and stuff, but they took so long to make the little dots (to show where the holes would go) that she was screaming and trying to get out of my husband's arms. I kept telling the girl to just do it, that I didn't care if it was a little bit off. When she finally did the piercing, she screamed, but as soon as I picked her up from daddy's lap she was fine. And she's fine with them now, she doesn't try to pull her ears or anything.

I'd recommend doing it soon, so your daughter doesn't tug on them, and I think Claire's generally is fine, just don't go to Yorktown :)

Good luck!

my cousins and i all got it done either in the hospital or by 3 months
i took my daughter to piercing pagoda when she was 12 weeks old on st patricks day they have never been infected and are great she is now almost 5 yr

my holes are great i can leave earing out for months at a time and they never try and close up

if this next baby is a girl i will do the same

J.

I got my daughter's ears pierced at Piercing Pagoda at Cherryvalle Mall. She is now 3 and hasn't had any problems with her ears all.

I have always gone to Claire's Boutique in the mall...they always pierced both ears at one time and everything was clean and sterile. HTH!

We had good luck with Clairs/Icing. Both girls are fine and never touched their earings since being pierced at 2 months. Oldest is 3 and little one is 10 months. Give tylonol before, make sure you see what they are doing(things seem clean, sanitary, and they have done babys before), and ask to have 2 people do the piercing at the same time. Pick a good earing with short posts, keep them clean and turn them like the person will tell you and see the doctor if anything turns red. Good Luck.

Our Dr. referred us to another Dr. that does ear piercing in his office. He is part of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Children's practice on Huron in Chicago. It's a little bit more expensive than going to a stand at the mall, but I felt more comfortable having a Dr. take care of it.

I'm sure you will do what your going to do but just think about what you're going to have done to a defenseless baby. Why not let her decide when she is older if she even wants them pierced. It used to be sort of a coming of age thing to have done. Instead everyone seems to hurry the growing up for their daughters. Why?

We went to Claire's when she was 8 months old. She cried, of course, but only for about 30 seconds. We never had any problems and are very happy!
Good Luck

Hello, I read alot of the responses just because I was curious, and WOW, I read a couple rude ones!!! My daughter is almost 6 years old, and she asked me about it, and I told her when she goes into 7th grade, then she could make her own decision about it! Just because that is what I decided to do. I always wonder why Mom's do it so early, BUT YOU are your daughter's Mom, and you get to do whatever you want!!! ha! I am just a worry-wart because I know that I got an infection when I was small, so I am going to wait!

I know this is supposed to be a site that we could go to to support one another, so take the negative comments with a grain of salt, and do what you want!

The BEST of luck to you and your family!

M.

I would check out Claire's, I got my 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th done there and my daughters 1st when she was 8 weeks old. They were great and patient. She never had a problem I would suggest cleaning and turning while she is napping. Emily did pull hers out a few times, so I would go to Sallys Beauty Supply to get a new set of piercing earrings. I eventually put small gold hoops and shes never had a problem with those.

Hi J.! I am half Mexican so it is a custom to pierce little girls' ears when they are very young. I was born in Mexico and they literally do your APGAR tests, clean you off and pierce your ears. When my little girl was born 2-1/2 years ago, I wanted to pierce her ears and I actually found a pediatrician who would do it. There was no way I was taking her to the mall to have a teenager do it ;) You may have to call around but there are still a few who do it! Both my sisters were born in the States and pediatricians pierced their ears too. One other thing to note, the earlier you do it, the less it hurts. My daughter was 4 weeks when we did hers and she didn't cry at all! You may get some tears at 5 months but she won't remember it - also, if you can have the pediatrician and the nurse do both ears at the same time, that helps too! It will probably feel like a vaccination to her. Good luck!

I suggest you ask your pediatrician. Most pediatricians do ear piercings. I had my daughter's ears pierced at her 9 month check up. I was planning on doing it at her 6 month check up but daddy wasn't quite ready at the time.

I got my daughters done at almost 3 years old at walmart. They did a great job. I was going to get them done when she was very young but she had so many ear infections i was afraid to cause her anymore pain with her ears, so i waited. I would talk to your dr. first, and if they say it is ok claire's, the icing, or any jewelry store will do it. I suggest wherever you go make sure they have 2 people working so they can do both ears at the same time. Good luck.

I had my two daughter's done at Walmart. I think it is a good suggestion to have two people working so that you can have them done at the same time, over more quickly. Make sure that you do not change them too soon and always use good quality earrings. My four year old is walking around with one earring in right now because we had to take her earrings out for a dance recital and one ear closed up within a 24 hour period. Now I can't get her to go back and get that ear re-pierced. This is my life! :)

Hello J.,

When I was a teenager I used to work at (The Elephant & The Canary) which offered ear piercing. I'm also Hispanic and in our culture it is custome to pierce the baby's earrings when they are young (3 months - up) it's less painful and to be honest it's no different then getting a shot from her Dr. I would strongly recommed that you have both of her ears pierced at the same time. I've taken my step-daughter to Piercing Pagoda and she hasnt had any problems with ear 2nd piercings. As for the mom's who think its cruel; its no different then taking the child to the peditrician to have all those unnecessary shots.

I had both of my daughter's ears pierced at 3 moths old, both at Claire's, my pediatrician only does it for 8 y/o+. My sister and I had our ears pierced by our Great grandmother as infants with a needle and thread! A lot of cultures have their girls ears pierced as infants. My babies cried for less than 30 seconds(just like they do with shots) and their ears healed in less than six weeks, and never got infected. I have a cousin who had her ears pierced at the age of eight and cried so hard that she only got one done and her parents had to do a lot of convincing to get her to go back for the other ear (months later).
You may get looks and questions from mothers. Some may say it's cruel, but what about boy circumcision? It's not cruel or vain...it's simply a preference and your choice....so be proud of it!

I had both my daughters ears pierced at there pediatrician. It is similiar to getting shots.
I would not recommend going to a store at the mall. I know people (even my sister) who have worked at those places and there is really no training and the training they do have is on customers like your daughter.

Good Luck!

Hi J.,
I had my daughter's ears pierced at about five mos as well. My doctor's office does not pierce ears, therefore, I went to Claire's at Old Orchard. This is what I have found:

The ear piercing experience wasn't bad at all. I found her shots to be more difficult. Yes, it was done by a teenage girl which I was not the most comfortable with. I got a few dirty looks from others in the store. My doctor said to pierce her ears when she was a baby due to the cartilage that has not formed at this point. (something about it might not be as painful)

Be very careful about the earrings you choose. Make sure they don't have long posts in the back (so they don't stick her) and make sure the backs are very very secure. You don't want an earring falling out in the crib as this poses a serious choking hazard.

She is three now and I have to say changing and cleaning her earrings is a real pain. She screams when I come near her ear and acts as though I am torturing her. However, she LOVES to pick out little earrings at the store. Bottom line, it probably isn't the best idea, however, I chose to do it and she looks darn cute. My mom didn't agree with me whatsoever, but I was so excited to have a girl and love all of the girly girl fru fru stuff. Just be prepared for the extra work it will require on your part and always watch out for safety.

Sorry this got a little long but I just wanted to share my experience. Good luck!

S.

Hello J.,
I got my daughter's ears pierced at 4 months. I actually went to my pediatrician's office. They did such a great job, because they got two nurses (one at each ear) and just pierced her ears in one shot. That way it was just one time pain and not twice like it would be with just one person piercing her ears. Even though you can do it at claires and such, I don't really suggest it. Of course it is totally up to you. I have heard some horror stories on ears getting infected and such, I don't really trust that. Plus, it is just one person piercing, so your daughter will go through twice the pain. Check to see if your doctor's office does that, or if doctor offices in your area will do that. I also suggest you go with someone to help hold your daughter and perhaps hold your hand. You might feel a little bad about it because they're crying, but it will pass after a few minutes. My daughter is now almost 16 months and her ears are fine with no problems at all. She doesn't touch them and they are so easy to manage. Good luck and be strong! They look so cute afterwards!

J.,

I got my daughters done when she was 3 months old. Her pediatrician's office did it. They usually have two people at the same time so it's over quick. My daughter pretty much slept through it, wimpered for a second then went right back to sleep.
Not many stores would do an infant. Check with her doctors.
Good Luck.

J.

I had it at Piercing pagoda..the pain is less than a shot. You can give a dose of Tylenol just 1/2 hr before the act@@. My ped suggested to go to them as it is one and the same!

Best of luck!

Our pediatrician did it. Check with yours!

I had my daughter's ears pierced when she was 5 months old for the same reasons you had mentioned. We had them done at Claire's at the mall. No infections, everything went well.

Had I known that our peditrician would do this, I probably would have had them do it, but everything worked out fine.

I didn't get a chance to read your other replies but I hope you didn't get any horror stories. Remember there are horror stories with everything.

Good luck!

My daughters both had theirs done at Claires-at the time, they were the only shop who would do piercings under six years of age. My pediatrician wouldn't do it earlier either. A couple of cautions:
Don't put the hole too close to the edge of the lobe; it looks odd when they're grown up and have an earring dangling on the edge.
My second daughter has a nickel allergy. Cute, cheap earrings cause an infection, including pus, which is very uncomfortable. She also is sensitive to belt buckles, cheap jewelry, and the snap on some jeans.
Beceause your daughter is so small, you'll have lots of occasions to check her ears. Any redness, swelling, and certainly drainage (pus, yuk!)gives you a reason to have the ear looked at before you get a hideously deformed ear like the other respondent mentioned.(How long did the parent let the infection go on before getting treatment???)Good luck.

I had my daughters done at claire's and it went well. I think it is great that you are getting her ears pierced when she is younger because she wont remember having it done.

when they're that young, you should have the doctor do it. If yours doesn't then maybe he/she will know someone who will :)

hi J.,

I had my daughter's ears pierced when she was 5 months old at Claire's in Woodfield Mall by a girl named Liz. I gave my daughter a dose of Tylenol half hr before. Make sure to have an experienced person pierce her ears. They did 1 ear at a time and my baby was fine. Someone told me the best time to go was during the week during the day time when there is most likely a manager there that you can request to do it ( if she's more experienced ). I would avoid going to a pediatrician because how often do they really pierce ears? A lot of times pediatricians are against piercing at a young age. Mine was against it and i went ahead and did it and my daughter is now 15 months and has had no problems whatsoever. Piercing them at 5mos is perfect. They dont even know it's there and less chance of it getting infected because at this age what do they really do that will cause it go get infected? they sleep & eat, right? Just make sure you do clean them as instructed and she'll be fine. I had my ears pierced when i was 12 yrs old and they got infected because at that age i was very active in activities like swimming and i probably touched my earrings more than i would've had they been pierced as a baby. Good Luck!

Hi,

I had my daughters done on her one year check up by her pediatrician. He wouldn't do it before 1 year b/c he had a child that had a reaction or something. She cried for two seconds and that was that. It was great.

Hi J.,
i have taken both of my daughters to Clarie's. normally they have one in any major mall. i got both of my girls ears done at 6 months and then got their 6 month pictures taken rigth afterwards. they only cry for like 30 seconds.
K.

I did my daughter's ears at Walmart when she was three months old. I still remember it was $7 for the earrings and the piercings. They all use the same kits (I think the brand is Inverness). We still have the "Certificate of Bravery" they gave her after she was done.

Took our daughter to claires actually. My pediatrician didn't have the heart. She says she felt bad enough giving shots. My cousins all have girls and have taken all their infants to various claires across the country. I recommend them on a few pieces of advice as well. First INSIST that they pierce both ears at the same time. They'll give you a line about kids under 2 that they prefer to do them one at a time. Ask them to try it at the same time and if they feel right before they pull the trigger that she's wiggling too much, then agree to one at a time, but that you want to try it first at least. To make sure you can have this leverage, call ahead and ask what time of day is best when they are the least busy and typically have two people available to pierce ears (you'll need one person per ear). Generally its when they first open for the day, I believe. Give her some tylenol or ibuprofen 20 min before she gets pierced, so basically when you're getting out of the car. Come equipped with a lollipop to give her as soon she's pierced. I know it seems strange to give a 5 month old a lollipop, but it is the best distraction ever for the situation. You can help her hold it and you don't have to let her finish it. But it works really well. When we pierced my daughter's ears, she was done crying before we left the store (and we prepaid for everthing!). You'll have to hold her on your lap, so be sure to hold on tight and be brave for her, Mom. Don't let her see you get nervous or she'll sense she has something to be nervous about, too. We pierced my daughters ears when she was the same age and we definitely felt like it was a lot less of an ordeal than we anticipated when we prepared for it. Good luck!