Ear piercing

goodgollie · December 2012

How do you girls feel about getting your DD's ears pierced? I've always thought I would wait until DD could tell me that she wanted to have hers done, and that it would only be selfish if I did it before that. Last night we had our friends' over who have a 3 y.o. DD. She had her ears pierced at 8 months old and now loves wearing jewelry and earrings. DD has very little hair and I just think she would look absolutely adorable with little studs. DH is totally on board if I want to do it, but I just don't know....

lchitt · December 2012

I'm also not doing it til she's ready. I remember that special day and for me I want to make it special for her. I think it's just a personal choice tho. If u want to go ahead.

dairygirl19 · December 2012

Flameful: I kind of want to do it too. I think it's adorable on toddlers.

I just can't do it right now because of the pain factor though. Maybe when she's a bit older and has the language to vocalize.

SoxFan777 · December 2012

I have a boy, but I'm of the camp that it's not fair to make that choice for her... She has the right to NOT have pierced ears if she doesn't want them. A good friend of mine never had hers done, never wanted to, and it was her choice. I would never deny my child that choice. PLUS, it seems kindof cruel to give her a shot (in essence) for no reason other than your own sense of fashion! (This is coming from someone with several tattoos and piercings, too! All were MY CHOICE, though, even the first earholes!)

drpayne · December 2012

I wouldn't. That's just me.

pettycrocker · December 2012

I got DDs ears pierced when she was 2m old, a few days after her shots.

It was NBD. She cried for 30 seconds and it was done. I cleaned them regularly, they healed perfectly and now she doesn't even notice she's wearing earrings so she never messes with them. My cousin just had her 9m DDs done a few days ago. I would think it would be a PITA at that stage to keep them from constantly touching/grabbing at them while they are healing.

I realize that I'm in the minority on this site, but I am really glad I got them done early (before she was into the touchy/grabby phase).

CurbsideProphet · December 2012

I would sooner have people think my child was a boy than pierce her ears without her knowledge/consent. I hate seeing pierced ears on an infant.

If DD asked to have her ear pierced and is able to take care of them, then we will consider it. We have not really settled on an age yet.

misskris927 · December 2012

We pierced DD's ears when she was 4 1/2 months old. My husband and I both think it's looks adorable on babies, so there really wasn't any question whether we were going to do it or not. It happened so fast, she didn't even cry, and she has never touched them she's now almost 22m old

Suesse2009 · December 2012

I am not a fan of babies and toddlers with pierced ears. I don't think it is cute. We are waiting until Nina says she wants them done. I remember getting mine done and it was fun picking out what earrings I wanted. People call Nina a boy all the time but oh well. My coworker has a granddaughter a few weeks older than Nina who has her ears pierced. People still call her a boy.

goodgollie · December 2012

Thank you girls for your input. I am think its funny that some people don't want to do it because of the pain factor. I mean, we give them shots and circumcisions without their consents. Despite this conversation, I am actually leaning more toward getting them done, depending on what my pedi has to say. If she doesn't want them when she is able to make her own decisions then we can always take them out.

Suesse2009 · December 2012

Yes she can always take them out but they may not grow back. When I was getting a second piercing the girl's hand slipped and the hole was way too close to the first one. She took it out immediately. That was 18 years ago. The hole is still very noticeable and I can still get an earring through it if I am not paying attention.

PandaMom06 · December 2012

We just got our DD's ears pierced 12/15/12. She is 3yrs old. She started saying that she "wants earrings like Mommy". We took the kids to the mall to see Santa and afterwards she again asked for earrings. I looked at my DH and he said "well you said when she asked for them you would feel better about doing it". (I was also in the no extra pain camp). So I told her we would go to the place so she could see how they do it. I then told her "It does hurt, but only for a little bit." We went to the place and there was actually a woman there having her infant's done. They hadn't done it yet so I picked DD up and had her watch the whole process. I said "Are you sure you still want earrings?" She said "I'm brave, I want Dora earrings." lol. As I filled out everything and paid my DH showed her the earrings she could choose. She picked out purple daisies.

She sat in the chair all by herself, and did not cry once until they actually did it. I had them do both ears at one time. We then went and had icecream. She hasn't messed with them at all, just shows them off. Taking care of them is NBD. Once in the morning, once before bed.

lexusolsen · December 2012

We waited until LO was 9 months old. With any future LOs we will wait until they are old enough to ask. She was terrified and screamed. It was a pia to keep studs in because she would mess with them. They were difficult to keep clean because she would touch them. It took forever to heal, turns out she was irritates by the sterling silver studs. Now she wears really small hoops that are difficult to get out and she doesn't touch them.

I think it looks cute on younger babies but it isn't worth the hassle in my opinion.

kxp004 · December 2012

goodgollie:
Thank you girls for your input. I am think its funny that some people don't want to do it because of the pain factor. I mean, we give them shots and circumcisions without their consents. Despite this conversation, I am actually leaning more toward getting them done, depending on what my pedi has to say. If she doesn't want them when she is able to make her own decisions then we can always take them out.

regardless of my opinion, I don't think you can compare shots with ear piercings... shots are for their physical well being... I don't get my daughter's ears pierced to prevent her from getting ear infections

I think circumcision is unnecessary, so to me it might be an appropriate comparison... however many still believe that there is medical reason for that...

We are not getting DD's ears pierced until she is old enough to understand the responsibility and take care of them... some girls don't want their ears pierced (ie my best friend and my sister) and some do... that is a decision that I will leave up to her...

sleepingbeauty825 · December 2012

I always thought I would pierce my DD's right away, but we never got around to it and now I'm thinking I'll probably wait. I don't think it's really comparable to circumcision though, as people who do it believe there is a medical reason to do so (and shots too, of course.)

amyswor · December 2012

We did our dd at 13 mos after asking our ped. She encouraged me to go ahead saying it was best when mommy could care for them rather than the little girl. She said at this age , they have no fear of needles or puncture or awareness of pain yet. Thus even now as an early toddler, the actual event will be much less stressful. In addition, she won't touch or play with her ears which decreases her risk for infection.

Yes, ear piercing is a minor discomfort, albeit temporary, but she won't anticipate it like she will in a few years and be afraid. Some argue that she should have a choice later on but she can always choose to take out the piercings when she gets older if she doesn't want them (how many girls don't want their ears pierced though, seriously?).

All in all I am very happy with my decision to have her ears pierced and do recommend the experience to

other mothers who many be considering it. Maybe I'm a bit selfish for wanting our dd to look feminine anrd pretty. I do also realize this, like everything else in parenthood, is not something for everyone and I completely respect those who choose not to do it and/or to wait until their LO is older.

If any moms would like our ped's suggestions on finding the right person, place, type of earrings and "Care for Newly Pierced Ears" , then drop me an e-mail.

Amy
amyswor@hotmail.com

always4278 · December 2012

We had my DD's ear pierced at 8 months old and it really wasn't a big deal. She cried when they were done and never messed with or noticed them again until about one month ago. She started wanting to wear my earrings and telling me which ones I should wear. We took her to the store to pick out some new earrings and she loves them. She tells everyone which kind she has in (heart, diamond, gold) and will even ask me to change them out on her own. I think its adorable and that they look cute!

My one recommendation is that you find a pediatrician to pierce them with the surgical plastic posts. The earrings are still adorable with diamonds, flowers, ect. but the post is made of the same material that they use in surgeries. Also they do not need to be cleaned with alcohol or turned because the skin will not heal to that kind of material. They just need washed with soap and water in the bath. Super easy care and very hypoallergenic! A little more pricey but worth it IMO. We were very pleased with the results. Its up to you though!

goodgollie · December 2012

always4278:
We had my DD's ear pierced at 8 months old and it really wasn't a big deal. She cried when they were done and never messed with or noticed them again until about one month ago. She started wanting to wear my earrings and telling me which ones I should wear. We took her to the store to pick out some new earrings and she loves them. She tells everyone which kind she has in (heart, diamond, gold) and will even ask me to change them out on her own. I think its adorable and that they look cute!
My one recommendation is that you find a pediatrician to pierce them with the surgical plastic posts. The earrings are still adorable with diamonds, flowers, ect. but the post is made of the same material that they use in surgeries. Also they do not need to be cleaned with alcohol or turned because the skin will not heal to that kind of material. They just need washed with soap and water in the bath. Super easy care and very hypoallergenic! A little more pricey but worth it IMO. We were very pleased with the results. Its up to you though!

Awesome advice, thank you!

superchixor · December 2012

We did M's at 6 months. This was our choice as her parents and what we wanted and decided to do. I'm so glad we did. She is now almost 16 months and never messes with them. If we had waited a few more months it would have been nearly impossible to get her to sit still to have them pierced and to clean them. Do what you want as her parent, not what people say on here. It's your decision.

BlueJewelM · December 2012

I have a son, so I haven't had to make this decision...but I can't believe people care so much about this topic.

Of course I'm kind of a jerk. I don't like many kids other than my own..which I guess is why I never noticed if a toddler has her ears pierced or not. Stick out tongue I just don't give a crap.

sharinfaith · December 2012

i know i'm a little late to weigh in, but consider the situation that I actually went through.

My aunt had my ears pierced when I was 7yo when I was visiting her for the summer (with my parent's consent). Unbeknownst to her, I am allergic to gold, so the earrings the put in did a lot of damage. I woke up on the 3rd night, and my earlobe was swollen to the size of a grape! The earring I guess had torn the tender skin, then shifted it's way into the back of my earlobe. I remember it being very very painful, and was rushed to the ER, where they had to remove it.

There is so much scar tissue there (still! i'm 31 now btw), that i have to keep my hair long enough to cover my ears. I couldn't imagine even tempting that with my LO just for some earrings.

PayolaCrayola · December 2012

I really dont understand the big deal...Maybe its a cultural thing? Im Mexican and there they pierce your ears at the hospital right after birth so I dont even recall the pain which I think is best. I had DD's done when she was 3mo old and she cried for maybe 15sec then never touched them again and that was a blessing because any older and i think she would pull them out. My youngest sister had hers done at a year and to this day she has had them pierced 4x because she always removed them as a kid.

Five_letter · December 2012

I did it at 9 months and it was easy peasy. If I had waited until now (18 months) it would have been horrific. Everything is so dramatic right now with my daughter, fits can last 45+ minutes.

I don't pay enough attention to other people's kids to spot earrings and then judge the moms on it. Honestly, I didn't even know this was a factor for judgement before TB. I just can't imagine caring enough about a random child to have an opinion about this.

Earring holes can close up. So, one in a million don't, but the vast majority do. I've never spoken to an adult woman who was vehemently angry with their parents for piercing her ears as a child. Never. Not once. It's a dumb argument.

MammaBear81 · December 2012

We did the girls ears at 8 months old. They cried for about 30 seconds and that was it. If they want to take them out when they are older then so be it.

I'd be very surprised if the "her body her choice" parents did absolutely nothing that affected their child's body. Unless you give your child free reign to eat what they want (because it's their choice on what to put into their body), and choose if they want to be vaccinated (because vaccinations can have side effects that your child might not want to have, and they are also not mandatory.... I am pro vaccination, so this is just a POINT) then you've already broken your motto.

I'm not saying that your child SHOULD make these choices, and I'm not saying that if you make those choices for them that you must pierce your child's ears, I'm just pointing out that "my body my choice" is a little extreme. Piercing ears is a parenting choice, plain and simple, that's it.

veggie0420 · December 2012

i have a boy, but if/when i have a girl i will only do it when she is old enough. i think its completely ridiculous to do to a baby who has no idea what is going on, just because "it looks cute".

tbutler14 · January 2013

goodgollie:
Thank you girls for your input. I am think its funny that some people don't want to do it because of the pain factor. I mean, we give them shots and circumcisions without their consents. Despite this conversation, I am actually leaning more toward getting them done, depending on what my pedi has to say. If she doesn't want them when she is able to make her own decisions then we can always take them out.

I agree! my daughter is 2 months old and is getting her shots next week. im going to ask her doctor what she says. i agree that this age is easier only bc they wont remember the pinch from the needle, nor will they pull and tug on them. They will be able to heal correctly and when she is older she can tell me if she wants them or not! Which little girl doesnt want earrings.. i havent met one yet.

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