Ears Pierced.... - Island Lake,IL

If you want opinions then... no. I have a daughter and her ears are *her* ears. She can get them pierced if and when she wants them pierced. It's her body, it's elective, it's her decision.

I would do it, I had my daughters ears pierced when she was 8 weeks, she's 5 now and doesn't remember any of it.

Good luck!

It seems to me that earrings pose a choking hazard and the piercing process hurts. The thought of inflicting any pain and additional risk on a baby for this is unnecessary. It is in no way a benefit for the child and as such is purely for the pleasure of the parent at the expense of the child. In my opinion, if a person wants’ his/her ears pierced they can choose that when their older.

I'm sure you'll get many strong opinions on this one.... personally, I would *never* pierce my child's ears, for a few reasons. (1) it's completely unnecessary pain (2) requires maintenance to keep them clean and then you will need small earrings for her all the time, which may or may not be comfortable for her. I, for one, am quite particular about the earrings that I wear and will sleep in. (3) I feel like ear piercing is a decision my child should make herself when she is mature enough to care for it herself. I have several friends who never decided to pierce their ears and are happy with that decision, so why should I presume that my daughter would want that? Just my $0.02 worth. I'm sure you'll hear as many arguments for it as against. Ultimately it's up to you.

Rachel, I would say wait. At this point it is more about you than her - she obviously doesn't know the difference - and it's very painful.

Why not wait until she is older and she can get excited about getting it done? You can go together, pick out earings, make a fun mom-daughter day of it.

Sorry, but I see very young girls who don't know the difference and think "their mom put them through that pain for themselves." It hurts when it's done and for a while after.

You asked so there is my opinion.

Rachel,

I was the type of mom that piercing a baby's ear is not necessary unless it's some type of religous ritual. I would wait til she is old enough to decide on her own. Why risk the infections? She might be a tomboy someday and absolutly hate it.

ITA with pp who said,

"I respect the cultural piece and believe it is a choice a parent can make for their child, but I think unless it is expected in your culture, then leave it up to the child.

Personally, I would never pierce anything on a child or consent to any procedures that aren't medically necessary. I don't mean to sound harsh or judgmental. I just think babies' immune systems are working so hard at this age to manage everyday irritants that to invite infection through a piercing doesn't seem worth it to me."

I have 2 girls ages almost 4 and 5.5. I have told them about what it takes to get ears pierced and neither are interested in it now. If they were and they understood that it would hurt for a minute and that mommy would have to turn them and clean them etc, then I would allow it.

Something I read recently was that you should make sure that when the ears are pierced that a hollow needle is used instead of just shooting the earring through the ear (this is how mine were done). The reasoning was that using a hollow needle allows that little bit of cartilige to be removed and a actually hole made in which to place the earring.

I have three girls and I did not pierce any of their ears as babies. I believe that it is a right of passage for a girl to get her ears pierced; when she wants to have them pierced, she is taking a step towards being grown-up. My seven year old asked me to get her ears pierced about six months ago and it was a very exciting and fun date for us. It has also given her something to be responsible for that she is enthusiastic about. She has dutifully kept her ears/earrings cleaned and has kept her earring amazingly organized. Also, she was the first girl in her class to get her ears pierced, so her friends gave her much attention over them. I just hope you will be persuaded to wait and let your girl decide to pierce her own ears, because it's been such a pleasure experiencing this with my daughter and I look forward to the day my younger two want to get earrings.

I've always said we will cross that bridge when my daughter is old enuogh to make that decision for herself. My dad was 100% against anyone piercing anything. ("if God wanted holes there-he would've put them there!" and "why would you want more holes in your head?")lol. Finally one day I asked what would happen if I got my ears pierced and he said he would make fun of me (my earings). I asked is that all? He said yes. My mom refused to take me since my dad had not officially said yes, but she let one of her friends take me and I came home with pierced ears. He made fun of me a little but that was the end of it.

My daughter is now 3 and just started noticing the "pretties" on mommy's ears. Yesterday she was asking me to put them on her ears and couldn't understand why I couldn't. I figure we will give it a little longer and see what she ultimatly wants to do.

After all my rambling I guess I'm trying to say why not let her decide if she wants pierced ears when she's old enough to decide for herself (although I know the little earings are cute!). Not all girls want their ears pierced.

I've heard some pediatricians will do it, so if you do decide to do it I would see if my pediatrician would do it and take her there. I got mine done at a mall, but I think a doctors would be more sanitary/better

I respect the cultural piece and believe it is a choice a parent can make for their child, but I think unless it is expected in your culture, then leave it up to the child.

Personally, I would never pierce anything on a child or consent to any procedures that aren't medically necessary. I don't mean to sound harsh or judgmental. I just think babies' immune systems are working so hard at this age to manage everyday irritants that to invite infection through a piercing doesn't seem worth it to me.

It might surprise you to know that I recently decided to have my OWN ears pierced, as an adult. I had given it some thought and I saw a pair of beautiful earrings on sale on a friend's web-site. She does some unique pieces and I thought, "I'd love to wear that pair!" But, I had no idea how awkward it was to have studs in your ears! People told me it would hurt during the actual piercing, which it did. But, then I got them caught in my daughter's hair during hugs (ouch!) and I could not sleep on my side, ever! And phone calls- no one told me that they interfere with that! I am also a swimmer and I worried about infection/irritation from the pool water.

I carefully cared for my ears for six weeks, but the pain never subsided and after six weeks in the studs, I had to take a break! The holes closed within hours and now my ears are perfectly healed and I am happy NOT to have pierced ears anymore!!

If my daughter asks, then I will leave it up to her once I explain to her the limitations of wearing jewelry in your ears.

Just my opinion - why not wait to let her make the decision?

I would wait. What if they hurt when she's laying on her side. I'm sure she's adorable without them.

we have 2 of our 3 daughters with pierced ears. our first's was done at 6 months old. second daughter had hers done at 18 months (later than what we wanted). our 3rd daughter is 7 months and we plan to do hers soon.

i always said i wouldn't do it (before i had kids). but my in-laws are hispanic and it's a very common thing for them...ALL the girls on that side got their ears pierced as babies. i don't see a NEED for it, but i do like doing it as like a "tradition" thing for my husband's family. we haven't had any problems, the girls never messed with or pulled on them and i don't mind caring for and cleaning them. it's fun now because my oldest (she's 3) likes to wear different pairs and it's a special gift when grandma buys them their birthstone earrings. :)

My ears were pierced when I was a year and a half old, so obviously I don't remember it. I am so glad my mom had it done early. I was one of those kids who was deathly afraid of needles, so if it was left up to me, I'm not so sure I would've gone through with it, but I LOVE having pierced ears. It's a tough call, but know that I was one of those kids who didn't have a "say" in it, and I'm glad my mom made the decision for me.

Hi Rachel I don't see why not. I had my daughter's peditrican pierce her ears.

They used to pierce ears before you left the hospital (mine were). My pediatrician suggested to wait until after the 1st shots. The earlier you get them done the less traumitized they are and you wont have the big scene at the shop with a screaming toddler.

I got my daughter's ears pierced a few days before she turned 6 mos. I took her to Claire's. They did a great job & she looks so cute in them, she gets many compliments. She doesn't even notice them. Just make sure you get 14k gold/white gold so her ears don't get irritated. Good luck!

If that's what you want to do GO FOR IT. Don't let other people's opinions influence your life.

You can buy a kit and have your pediatrician pierce them at one of the well baby visits. Or, you can also go just about anywhere in the mall that does ear piercing.

I would strongly suggest making sure you are cleaning them and turning them regularly. Use good earrings only and I would switch them out regularly so your daughter becomes used to the routine of changing out the earrings. Also, get screw backs - you will not want an earring falling out in her crib.

First of all, I can't believe how many negative responses I see on here! If you want to do it, I say GO FOR IT! I got my daughter's ears pierced right before she turned 1. We went to the mall, and she cried for less than a minute. They were so fast and professional about it. Plus, she didn't even realize they were there so she wasn't playing with them. It is completely up to you. I had my ears pierced when I was 3 months and I plan on having it done to all my kids (girls of course)!

I have 4 girls. The first 3 i had done at about 4-6 months old...the 4th is my step daugtehr and her mom didnt want to get hers done. (no big deal)
i JUST asked my 3 if they regretted me having their s done (they are 15,13 &7) and the all said no....its not a big thing, they grew up with them, its no big deal. they dont hate me for poking holes in their ears.
my step daughter had hers done at 4...well, one anyway....she saked and it hurt so much for her that they had to go back a few weeks later to get the other one done. by this time kids know hurt, can yell about it...thogu 10 seconds after it happened it no longer hurt her, she was scared.
babies know pain, but know its over in an instant, and dont protest.
seriously i think all 3 of my kids cried less than a minute.
do what you feel is right.

You are brave to ask that on here. Some moms can get really nasty and judgmental in their posts, so be prepared...

Unless it's a family "tradition" my opinion would be to wait until your little girl wants her ears pierced. They are hers. My oldest was 3 when her dad took her to get them pierced (a surprise to me! haha). It makes for a great story. My younger was 5 when she decided. It was fun to shop for earrings and make an afternoon of it.

Hi Rachel, since you posted this question, you must be wanting to do it. I would do it then if I were you. Any age is fine to get ears pierced. I wished my Mom would have done mine when I was younger, cause I still remember how much I wanted them and was soooo scared at the age of 12, but I went through with it crying. I had my daughters ears pierced for her 1st Birthday and I am sooo glad I got it done. They did both ears at once, my daughter looked stunned for a minute, cried for a sec and then we picked her up and distracted her (just like she did when she got a shot at the doctors) I didnt change them for the first year, just cleaned around them with the proxide and she is now 4 and like I said, never had a problem. With her being so small when she got them done, she never messed with them cause she didnt even know she had them, so by the time she was old enough to possibly pull on them, she didnt cause she was used to them by then. They have so many cute little earrings that I think just look adorable on them. Since there are more negitive responses back to you, dont let that stop you from what you want for your daughter. Enjoy!

Mom of 3 awesome kids, Ryan 13, Troy 10, Audrey 4. Wife to a husband that I am still deeply in love with after 20 years ;-)

Hi rachel.
Mine were done in the hospital, and if I ever have a girl, I am going to have hers done as soon as possible. I never had any infections and didn't tug on the earings. For those that say let her decide...if she doesn't like them when she is older she can always let them close up.