Where to Get My Daughter's Ears Pierced???

I have heard that doctors do it, if you are concerned I would go there. I got my daughters ears pierced after her first set of shots (it is a family tradition) when she was 3 months old. We did it at a beauty salon. She was fine and got no infection, so I wouldn't worry. But, after I did read in a parenting magazine that it is recommended to do it at a doctors office.

I did both of my daughters when they were about 6 mnths old, I did take the chance & go to the mall @ Claire's I think, it was on top floor of southridge mall. The employee was very young & I was nervous--but it is done with that gun type thing & as long as they mark the correct area on the girls ear it goes just fine. I have had no problems with either one of them.. I have 2 daughters that went thru it. GOOD LUCK..!!!

Hey! I have a great recommendation: My peditritian does them at his office, very clean sterilized and the best part is that he puts some ointment to numb the ear lobe.
My daugther didn't even cry. Seriously I looked around a lot before doing it and he was by far the best option.

Dr. Maalouli
PACE pediatric
Yankee Square Office II suite 201
3470 Washington Drive
Eagan MN 55121
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Good luck!
H.

I could never do that to my daughters, hearing them (or indeed any child) cry in pain unnecessarily always upsets me to no end. Getting an infant or small child's ears pierced is really only a vanity project for her parent. And on your end I'm sure that you realize that this is just one more thing for you to take care of until she's old enough to do it herself (which won't be for YEARS).

If you really insist on piercing her ears instead of waiting until she is old enough to make that decision for herself then I do have a few ideas for you:

1) A professional piercing studio (yes, the kinds that do body piercing) are required by law (in most states) to meet hospital grade sanitation. The benefit to having your daughter's ears pierced at one of these is the type of needle that they use. Normally when your ears are pierced it is from a piercing "gun" which simply shoots the rod of the earring through your ear, pushing cartilage and other flesh aside. The hollow needle that the piercing studios use removes a tiny, circular amount of flesh just big enough for the ring and therefor leaves a clean wound which heals faster and has less chance for infection.

2) Have your baby's ears pierced by your doctor. This way you'll know that you trust the piercer and you can also be certain that it will be sanitary. A parenting magazine I was reading recently had an article about child's ear-piercing. They stated that they STRONGLY recommend against piercing any young child's ears but if you decide to do so that the doctor's office is the best choice considering that they can first numb your child's ears so that they feel the smallest amount of pain possible (piercing studios may be able to do the same therefor giving you the absolute best option but it depends upon the individual studio so you'll have to check that out.)

Sorry if it seems that I was preaching there I just feel very strongly against what I deem cruel to children and also about personal choice. I deem my oldest (who is 7) now able to decide for herself whether she wants her ears pierced but she has decided not to because "It will hurt". It will still hurt your daughter and perhaps even more since she was neither able to understand why it happened nor make the choice for herself.

I would go to a tattoo/piercing studio where they use a needle to do it instead of a gun. The guns crush the earlobe and force the earring through, but a studio will actually use a needle to make the hole, and its not crushing the earlobe, and it doesn't take any longer, and the piercer is certified.

Also to someone else's advice earlier about doing both sides simultaniously. The girl who did ours said they are more precise when they do them individually. It was no big deal. Just like shots. She cried for a few seconds, then stopped when I held and comforted her. No other pain when I twisted them or anything like that.

I had my dd's done when she was almost 4. We went to Claire's. There was only one person working, so she wasn't able to do them both at the same time. I HIGHLY recommend having them done at the same time. I have a friend who's dd had one done and refused to have the other done, so she had to take out the one and let it close.

The Claire's we went to was clean, the girl wore gloves and sanitized everything with alcohol. I felt it was very clean and professional, even though the employee was young. They do a lot of piercings, so I wasn't concerned about her knowing what she was doing.

I asked her some questions and she said around your dd's age is a terrible time to do them, though. She said either very young - so they don't realize what is going on and they get over it VERY quickly, or older - like my dd's age, when they are able to actually express an interest in having it done and know the pain is worth it. Really, you could have a baby girl dressed in a fancy, lacey pink dress, wearing a big pink bow on her head, with earrings on, and you will still get people thinking she is a boy! People are stupid and who cares if a stranger thinks she is a boy? Earrings won't change that.

My dd did cry when they did the first one, and the second, and afterwards for a long time. She said she changed her mind and didn't want her ears pierced (she figured if she took the earrings out, they would stop hurting). I did give her Tylenol and she was fine, she was very brave.

We did get the screw off ones, recommended by the Claire's employee. BUT, we could NOT get them off when the time came. We tried and tried and couldn't get them screwed off. I had to take her back to Claire's and have them help me get them off. I will NEVER do the screw off ones again and do NOT recommend getting them unless it is for a very young child.

Good luck with whatever you decide. My parent's didn't allow me to get mine done until I was in 9th grade!

S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider

I know that were I live there are some salons that do ear piercing. I would go to a salon that pierces ears being she is younger.

First things first...getting your daughters ears pierced will NOT stop the "Hey Buddy" greetings she's been getting. My neice is now almost 11 months old and still with pink clothes and "diamond" earrings she is mistaken for a boy.
I took my then 8 year old to Claires. They did them at the same time, which is a good thing since she would not have sat for the second one. When my neice got her ears pierced at about 7 months they also did them both at the same time. Regarding the previous post about them being more accurate individually, I disagree. They mark the ears so the piercer knows where to insert the earring. Unless they move off of that spot, there won't be any issues, and frankly they could move off the spot doing them individually too. They recommend you get them both done at the same time on younger children because they are less likely to sit still for the second ear. It's your call, but in my experience it's better to do them both at once.

I just realized I didn't tell you where we got my neices pierced. We took her to Wal Mart. I spent 75.00 at Claires to get my daughters ears pierced, and only 26.00 at Wal Mart to get my neices. Wal Mart's policy is had sanitation and gloves, they use sanitary earrings that have been in a sealed package, and they clean the "guns" thouroughly before using them on your child. After getting the piercing done at Wal Mart I noticed how lacking the sanitary is at Claires.

Go to Just Ears in Oakdale. I brought my daughter there. She was 2 1/2 years old. She didn't cry or anything. Plus, it was alot cheaper then Claire's. They also do body piercing, so it draws a little different crowd of people. I haven't had any problems with my daughter ears. Also, they use the steel guns, so its faster and she was able to pierce both ears at the same time. I was really impressed.
Thanks,
C.

Pierce Pigota in the mal. They did my 2 month olds. She slept through the whole experience.

I know this is a little different of a thought than you were looking for, and I see several Moms who never had any problems -- but just a few words of concern....

I had my ears pierced before I was one and I later had to have the earrings cut out because the back of my ear grew over the earring back. Now, my mother wasn't the best mom (a whole other issue), but I wanted to take this opportunity to put that thought out there. Don't forget about the earrings as your child grows. Even at 5 years old kids are not old enough to take care of the cleaning, ect. I was old enough to remember having to have the earrings cut out -- so be cautious.

--N.

hi i had my daughters ears pierced at claires in southridge mall they did a good clean job she was 6 wks old when they were done she is now 4 yrs old

I had my daughters pierced at Claires and they were two young ladies that pierced her ears. I requested that she have them both done at the same time so the pain was over with at once. Everthing was very clean and she didnt cry. We have never had any problems with them being infected. I didnt think that it was that expensive, I paid $20 for regular, sivler ball earings, and the piercing. You get the cleaning solution for free and it is a huge bottle. good luck

I'd call around tattoo shops that does piercings. Sometimes they won't allow children under 18 no matter what.

Dear K.,
I read your little clip about getting your daugthers' ears pierced and like you we have a daugther and we also atayed away from places in the mall. We actually had hers done at Wal-mart and they where VERY sanitary about everything. My daughter was older then yours but they explain everything to her at her level, he drew a smiley face on her hand then asked her if it was ok to put a dot on her ear, then gave her a mirror, then he did the samething all over again for the other side, then he did the 1st ear and showed her in the mirror and she liked it alot, and then this is my fav part when SHE was ready he did the other side. I'm usually not a Wal-mart shopper but her ped. told us about how good they are and needless to say now almost 2 years later she still talks about the nice guy who gave her prettys in her ears! I hope this little story helps you and if she cries a few tears it's over before she knows it:)

I'm am saying this with love and not to be mean. People are so convinced that getting their baby's ears pierced doesn't hurt them but it does. Any where you go you will hear your 14 month old screaming because it HURTS!!! Put a head band on her or dress her in pink clothes if it is the whole, you don't want people to think she is a boy. It is selfish to make her go through that kind of pain so YOU can say she is cute. Please think about it before you put her through it. Let her make the decision to do it when she is ready to deal with the pain and being uncomfortable for a week. As far as you saying that we make decisions for our children already, we make decisions for them that keeps them out of harm and healthy not ones that deliberatly puts them in pain!!

I too agree that 14 months is WAY TOO YOUNG to get ears pierced. It is just one more thing to take care of, runs the risk of infection or tearing during playing and is really just so others will say, "Isn't she cute". I don't think I'd be willing to risk that for a few compliments at that age.
If my daughter chooses to have her ears pierced, that will be up to her when she is old enough to care for. And if she chooses them and doesn't take care of it, the earrings will come out.
C.

I used to manage a store called the Earring Tree where we pierced ears. Most places use a gun which is filled directly from a cartridge so there is no contact with the earings and human hands. The gun releases with a single squeeze. Most people wear gloves. The ears should be marked in ink so you can agree that they are even.
Invest in a good pair of earrings. Most people have reactions to the nickle in the cheaper ones. It helps if two people do it at once. One on each side. Most of these people even though they are young have done hundreds of ears. My first daughter had hers done at 3 mos and again at two years. (We had to take them out due to surgery and they closed)
The best thing you can do is ask questions. If you don't have a good feeling keep looking. At the age of 14 mos children are sqirmy so good luck to you!!!

Try one of the larger department stores. Macy's, VonMaur etc..
If they don't do offer that service they may have a good recommendation.

In reply to the negative replies you got, I have a very good memory. I remember being breastfed, and that stopped when I was two.

I also remember getting my ears pierced, and it didn't hurt AT ALL! They numbed the earlobes first, so I felt nothing except that someone was near them.

Perhaps all the screaming in some of the other replies was because of the sudden "pop", which scared the little ones.

I remember they made me scream just to tell everyone I had taken a major step in getting my ears pierced. I said "Ahhh!" They said, "No, louder! Tell the world!" So I said "AHHHHH!" and we all laughed. It was not at all traumatic. I never regretted it, and I will get my baby's ears pierced too. When I have one!

Good luck!

I actually did have my daughter's ears pierced at Claire's when she was about that age. The girls were great. Two girls did it at the same time so it would be over with really quick, and we haven't had any problems at all. My biggest advice for you is to get earrings with the screw on backs so your daughter cannot pull them off.

I went to WalMart to have both my daughters' ears done. The ladies were really good with both of them. They did both ears at the same time. Neither one of my girls cried but for a second. I think it was the sound more than pain.

Hey there. I just wanted to let you know (I work in the healthcare field), that if you ask certain pediatricians, they will do piercings in their office. Also, I am not sure if they still do it, but when I was 4 I had my ears pierced at a JC Penny dept. store (it was in the cosmetics section), and the women there were extremely picky! So, I hope these two ideas will help you if you are uncomfortable going with a claire's boutique. Have a good day...and remember, there's no rush on doing this - different ages represent different challenges- so research the place before making a decision.

LRC

Kids, Children, Baby’s & Adult Ear Piercing
A Hair for Kids Salon LLC
14023 W. Greenfield Ave
New Berlin, WI 53151
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At A Hair for Kids Salon LLC we are licensed, sanitary, professional, and have 25 years of piercing experience. Our salon located in New Berlin is required by the law to provide the highest standard of sanitation. Our salon uses a sterilized gun method to pierce the ears and we are required by the state law to wear gloves for the service. Our earrings are nickel free, surgical steel, and hypo allergenic.
We provide a kid friend atmosphere to make kids feel comfortable. We are not some adult tattoo piercing salon that looks dark and gothic.
Piercing Service requires a guardian to fill & sign a consent form if under the age of 18 years. We start piercing 1 year old and up. Children should have their regular shots first before thinking of getting their ears pierced.
A ear care instruction will be given to you to take home to know how to care for your new piercing.
Our salon offers this service Wed & Sat. afternoons and all day Sundays.
By appointment only, cash or check only.
Piercings start at $25 and go up depending on the choice of earring picked out.
What We Need To Know
▪ When your child first gets an ear piercing, make sure it is done by someone who is experienced, and who uses sterile equipment. The earring posts should be made of 14-carat gold or stainless steel. The posts should be worn for six weeks – and the earring clasp applied loosely, to allow for swelling. During those six weeks, the posts should be turned about three rotations, twice a day (be sure to first wash your hands and both sides of the earlobes with rubbing alcohol). By the end of six weeks, the lining of the channel made by the piercing should be healed. (University of Michigan Health System)
▪ Signs that an ear piercing is infected are: the skin around the piercing may be swollen, red and hurt to the touch. There may also be pus coming from the piercing. Minor infections can be treated with over-the counter antibiotic ointments – as well as warm compresses and mild sea salt soaks. (American Academy of Family Physicians)
▪ Call your doctor as soon as possible if an earring clasp becomes embedded in the earlobe and can’t be removed; if the redness or swelling spreads beyond the piercing, if your child develops a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, if the infection doesn’t improve after 24 hours of treatment – and, of course, if you are concerned your child may be seriously ill. (University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital)
▪ Teach your child to prevent pierced-ear infections. Remind them not to touch their earrings except when they are being inserted or removed; and to clean the earring, the post and the ear lobe with rubbing alcohol before insertion. Also, they should apply the earring clasp loosely: pressure from tight earrings reduces blood flow to the ear lobe, putting it at risk for infections. (Children’s Memorial Hospital – Chicago)
Resources
▪ Aurora Health Care - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
▪ Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media

Licensed, Professional, Sanitary, & 25 years of experience, we are not a salon that has teenagers working on your children to pierce their ears.
Our salon is required by the law to provide the highest

I took my daughter to Claire's at the MOA, just because they had two employees available to pierce both ears at the same time. I knew she wouldn't pierce the second one once she felt that pain!
They did seem about high school age, but I was right there with her and they seemed to know what they were doing. It is just a little box they align to pierce the ear.

That said, my daughter is 5, she said she would never have gotten them pierced if she had known how much it hurts. I did tell her it would hurt, but she didn't have the concept since she had not felt that pain before. I thought she was young, but I said she could choose when she was "old enough".

One of her ears became infected and I took the earring out. She won't put it back in. She felt such anxiety over it that I finally told her we will just wait til she's 13 and then talk about it more. I realize now that I should not have removed the earring.

Good luck!

Check with your pediatrician. My sister's pediatrician pierced my nieces ears when she was young. I had my daughters ears done at Clair's almost 2 years ago and have had no problems. They do sanitized the ear and wear gloves.