So it seems like I'm in the minority here, but yes, I will get my daughter's ears pierced as soon as I can. I am originally from Colombia (live now in the USA) and it is the norm to have your ears pierced right away, most hospitals will do them while you're still there. This is the norm for my family and it is actually the norm for my husbands too (he's protuguese).
I'm having my baby girl's ears pierced. I feel like so many of you who wouldn't are so judgmental about it....I didn't realize this was such a "thing".
We have boys, but if we ever have a girl, we'll wait until at least grade school. I had mine pierced as an infant; my twin sister and I were always ripping the earrings out of each other's ears. It's a miracle no one choked on earrings or ended up with torn lobes. At a certain point, my mom just stopped wearing earrings on us. Once we were in 2nd grade, we both wanted earrings. My holes had stayed open; my sister had to get hers repierced. She doesn't remember it hurting, but she does have a faint scar on each lobe where the original piercings had been.
I'm having my baby girl's ears pierced. I feel like so many of you who wouldn't are so judgmental about it....I didn't realize this was such a "thing".
I don't think anyone is being judgmental, just offering their point of view and reasons.
No for both of my girls. I think it should be their choice..Plus it freakin hurts! My MIL said if she could have her way she would have all of their ears pierced. She claimed it's a "southern thing?"
Been married since 2009. Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter) Several MCs DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
Nope. Going to wait until she is at least 10 years old. That is how old I was when my mom took me to get mine pierced. I don't remember asking for it though. I think she just took me. So I will probably do the same --- maybe. Allergies run in our family. My sister and I can't wear anything other than gold plated posts or our earlobes get fiery red and itchy. Mine have gotten better, but then again when on the rare occasion that I wear earrings (like probably once a year) I don't keep them in long so mine don't break out as much as they used to. My sister however can hardly wear them anymore. So I'm not sure if I want to risk going through that with my daughter at all or just do it when she is 10 and can understand better.
We'll pierce her ears when she is old enough to voice that she wants it. I want her to know that it is her body and she decides whether wearing earrings is something she wants. Normally, in my husbands culture girls ears are pierced as infants but we aren't comfortable with that. Plus, I'm afraid that she would pull at her earrings as a baby and cause damage.
Yes, I am having a boy but if I were to ever to have a girl she would get her ears pierced very early. I had mine done as an infant and I love them. I am an attorney and believe me, you cannot understimate the power of power dressing. I do not leave my house without earrings or heels and I hate pants. I want my child to experience all that. If later in life she does not want to wear earrings, she just have to take them off. Her first pair will simply be small stud gold earrings for safety reasons. (Although the first time I ever ripped one of my ears I was already 31). Later in life she can wear them as big or as small as she wants or not wear them at all.
I'm having my baby girl's ears pierced. I feel like so many of you who wouldn't are so judgmental about it....I didn't realize this was such a "thing".
I don't feel anyone is being judgmental. I said I'm personally not going to do it bc I'm part of the group who thinks she should make this decision for herself, but I have nothing at all against people who get it done early. Personally I do think they're cute on babies and if done properly there is nothing wrong with it, it's just something I personally would like to experience with my daughter when she is a little bit older and can remember the experience for herself.
While I think they look super cute, I see the side of elementary school students who just got their ears pierced and how difficult it can be for some of them to keep their ears clean and think about all the crazy things infants and toddlers get into! Not to be gross, but my son loved "finger painting" during diaper changes and it would be everywhere! It was a struggle and sometimes I would find smears on the back of his neck, in his hair etc etc. So, from an infection prevention standpoint, I think "What if my daughter gets poop in her ear lobes?" (which is one of those crazy things you never thought you would say until you become a parent!)
Also, please be aware of the very real choking hazard that earrings and jewelry present. I understand the cultural significance and the aesthetic appeal, but infants are a lot more crafty than you think and can pull out their earrings and then pop them right in their mouth. And lastly, just be aware that even if your child doesn't pull at the earrings, kids at daycare WILL. My son needed to wear a medical alert bracelet for the first few months of daycare due to his RAD (which he thankfully outgrew!) but every day I would pick him up and it had been ripped off by another kiddo and he had a red mark around his wrist. I didn't dare try for a necklace or one of those magnetic badges and knew a sticker would last about 2 seconds so I ended up just having the teacher carry around his alert card saying his diagnosis, medications, and emergency contact info. I can only imagine if he had sparkly, shiny earrings what a target they would be!
No judgment, just some things to think about and prepare for while making your personal decision. People always groan when I start up because I tend to have the wet-blanket nurse view of all the negative possible outcomes!
I personally would prefer to do that. I had my ears pierced as a baby and really appreciated that as I grew up. My sister never did and she had a horrible time getting them pierced when she was older, infections, closing up and re-doing, etc. It's been such a big deal for her her whole life. I'm super happy I never went through that and have worn earrings every day since I can remember. I love earrings!
My husband is not into the idea, so it's still up for debate. He just doesn't quite get it, not being a girl himself, but I don't want to do something without him being on board, so we'll see.
Nope. I personally will let her decide when she gets old enough to have them done on her own time. I can't imagine putting my poor baby through that pain and the pain she would feel when she bumps them or is trying to sleep. Just not my thing.
Nope. There's enough to think about when taking care of a baby, I'm not about to add ear-hole care to the list! Besides, for me it was a big deal to get my ears pierced around 10. It was fun and I felt like a grown-up, plus I was old enough to understand what I was asking for and to do all the care myself.
Not to mention, I have no idea if my daughter will be the type of person who likes jewelry. Some just don't. I prefer to let her choose. No judgment here, though, just my opinion.
I find it interesting that those who had theirs pierced later in childhood would rather wait, while those who had theirs done as an infant would like their daughters to be done as an infant. Not a judgement or a right/ wrong. Just an observation of how our opinions might be formulated.
I find it interesting that those who had theirs pierced later in childhood would rather wait, while those who had theirs done as an infant would like their daughters to be done as an infant. Not a judgement or a right/ wrong. Just an observation of how our opinions might be formulated.
I found that interesting too! I feel like I'm one of the few exceptions since I had mine done as an infant, but am in favor of waiting.
I find it interesting that those who had theirs pierced later in childhood would rather wait, while those who had theirs done as an infant would like their daughters to be done as an infant. Not a judgement or a right/ wrong. Just an observation of how our opinions might be formulated.
I had mine done as a baby, but I would rather wait only bc mine were done incorrectly and I now have uneven holes. I feel like it might be harder to judge how the hole will be placed as they grow. So while mine probably were perfect as a baby, not so much now. I pretty much never wear earrings now bc of it. Had I not had this experience though I might have a different opinion on it.
Yes! We had our daughters done at 11 months. It was simple and she barely cried. I washed them daily for 2 weeks with no problem and she hasn't bothered with them since. It looks adorable. To each his own though.
I find it interesting that most people seem to be taking the "not if, but when" approach to ear piercing. To me this feels on par with debating whether we'll get our daughters' noses pierced as a baby or let them wait until they're a little older. I know that's way less common, but to me just totally a personal style preference that my kid may or may not want, and it would never occur to me to make plans for it until I knew that she specifically wanted it.
Also get that it's totally a cultural thing. When I studied abroad in Sri Lanka, my host family sister was so confused why I didn't have my ears pierced - she would actually ask me "where are your earrings?" And my grandmother kept trying to pierce them for me, like the only reason I didn't have them pierced yet is that I didn't have anyone to do it for me haha
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it. I did want to point out that a lot of families choose to have their infants pierced because they're less likely to touch/play with them. I had a bad habit of touching mine and they got very badly infected when I was about ten. It was also compounded by the fact that I have to have stainless steel metals in my piercings- none of the fun plastic or non steel stuff for me. So the plastic happy face earrings my ten year old self was rocking probably didn't help my infection.
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it.
I'm sure you didn't mean it like this but TBH it grinds my gears when I hear/ see things like this. It feels like it divides our country racially and by subculture. It sort of says those who don't do "xyz" aren't "real" Americans. American culture is AWESOME because it's made up of hundreds of sub and micro cultures. So the Muslim woman who wears a hijab is just as American as the Jewish woman who doesn't. Because the diversity of choice is what makes it a part of American culture.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it.
I'm sure you didn't mean it like this but TBH it grinds my gears when I hear/ see things like this. It feels like it divides our country racially and by subculture. It sort of says those who don't do "xyz" aren't "real" Americans. American culture is AWESOME because it's made up of hundreds of sub and micro cultures. So the Muslim woman who wears a hijab is just as American as the Jewish woman who doesn't. Because the diversity of choice is what makes it a part of American culture.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
Yes, that is what I meant- basically white suburban girls like me
I got my ears pierced at 2 months old, same with my sister. All three of us kids were completely bald until we were a year and a half old. Everyone called us boys and it ticked my mom off so she got our ears pierced. I don't wear earrings regularly now but I've never had a problem with either ear and I'm thankful that she got it done at a young age. Both of my nieces got their ears pierced around age 1 and no problems there either. My children won't be going to day care so that's not a concern, so although if we have a girl I won't get her ears pierced as young as I had them done, I will consider getting them done as an infant/toddler. We will see how I feel once this baby is born IF it happens to be a girl. I personally don't see how two holes, one in each ear, is a violation of my child's body or rights; simply don't wear earrings if you don't want to, easy as that! To each their own!
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it.
I'm sure you didn't mean it like this but TBH it grinds my gears when I hear/ see things like this. It feels like it divides our country racially and by subculture. It sort of says those who don't do "xyz" aren't "real" Americans. American culture is AWESOME because it's made up of hundreds of sub and micro cultures. So the Muslim woman who wears a hijab is just as American as the Jewish woman who doesn't. Because the diversity of choice is what makes it a part of American culture.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
Yes, that is what I meant- basically white suburban girls like me
Oh, I love a good can of worms!! To go further off topic I will say I get what @JoMunson was getting at as a basic white girl myself. Before studying social work I truly believed I didn't have a culture. This led to thinking that common (to me) or "mainstream" ideas were American culture kind of just as something to cling to. I now know that's all a bit off base and quite ethnocentric but anyway, I get it. The flip side of the argument could be that anything is American then, so you're both right!
As for piercing, whatever. Not for me. I actually really hate the argument about waiting until he or she can choose. It feels like a pretty strong moral stand to take when compared to the debate on circumcision. But let's not go there today.
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it.
I'm sure you didn't mean it like this but TBH it grinds my gears when I hear/ see things like this. It feels like it divides our country racially and by subculture. It sort of says those who don't do "xyz" aren't "real" Americans. American culture is AWESOME because it's made up of hundreds of sub and micro cultures. So the Muslim woman who wears a hijab is just as American as the Jewish woman who doesn't. Because the diversity of choice is what makes it a part of American culture.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
Yes, that is what I meant- basically white suburban girls like me
So when you said "American Culture" you intended for that to mean white people? Yikes....
And FTR, my very white cousins all had their ears pierced as babies and did the same with their daughters, so....
I'm really glad I read this post. I am having a girl and to be honest with you, I hadn't even thought about this issue! My mom had my ears pierced when I was a baby. I never had any problems with them at all...no infections and no lopsided holes. However, reading everyone's comments has given me a lot to think about.
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it.
I'm sure you didn't mean it like this but TBH it grinds my gears when I hear/ see things like this. It feels like it divides our country racially and by subculture. It sort of says those who don't do "xyz" aren't "real" Americans. American culture is AWESOME because it's made up of hundreds of sub and micro cultures. So the Muslim woman who wears a hijab is just as American as the Jewish woman who doesn't. Because the diversity of choice is what makes it a part of American culture.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
Yes, that is what I meant- basically white suburban girls like me
So when you said "American Culture" you intended for that to mean white people? Yikes....
And FTR, my very white cousins all had their ears pierced as babies and did the same with their daughters, so....
I read it as sarcasm, but I'm not always great with sarcasm...
I don't intend on doing that at a young age for many reasons, potential choking hazards, gets caught on things, it is just cosmetic and if anything goes wrong they can't really verbalize it and allergies run in our family and I can't wear some types of earrings myself. When the child gets older and wants to do it then ok. If not that is ok too.
Were having a boy, but I had decided if it was a girl we would wait. I completely respect people who have it as part of their culture, but since it isn't a part of mine (or at least, infants with ear piercing isn't, I would argue that the 8-11 age and getting pierced IS a part of American culture) I don't plan on doing it.
I'm sure you didn't mean it like this but TBH it grinds my gears when I hear/ see things like this. It feels like it divides our country racially and by subculture. It sort of says those who don't do "xyz" aren't "real" Americans. American culture is AWESOME because it's made up of hundreds of sub and micro cultures. So the Muslim woman who wears a hijab is just as American as the Jewish woman who doesn't. Because the diversity of choice is what makes it a part of American culture.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
Yes, that is what I meant- basically white suburban girls like me
So when you said "American Culture" you intended for that to mean white people? Yikes....
And FTR, my very white cousins all had their ears pierced as babies and did the same with their daughters, so....
I read it as sarcasm, but I'm not always great with sarcasm...
I read it as not thinking how something comes across before typing... Since it sure wasn't funny....
I am having a son, but if it was a daughter I personally am very against it. My step sister did it to her daughter and loves it. I just feel it is cosmetic and should only be done once they ask for it, and are old enough to take care of it themselves.
*Married 7/29/11 BFP 10/2/13, EDD 6/3/14 Gave birth to my beautiful son, Owen Robert on 6/4/14! BFP #2 8/28/15, EDD 5/5/16
Wow so many no's. I'm having my baby girl's ears pierced. It is pretty standard in my country. They even do it immediately in the hospital. It is also very standard for baby to receive gold earings etc. As gifts so not piercing the ears here would be the weird thing to do. If i were having a boy, I'd pierce his ears too, lol. I guess I am the odd ball here or it's just not such a tradition in the US.
I guess I'm an odd ball as well @Charla1224 . My ears were pierced before I left the hospital. No issues or concerns. I know they don't pierce in the hospital anymore but I will most likely pierce her ears as an infant.
Re: Will you pierce your baby's ears?
Been married since 2009.
Unicornuate Uterus (yes I menstruate glitter)
Several MCs
DD born 2013 (our miracle "you can't have babies" baby!)
First Pregnancy
Second Pregnancy
- BFP: 09/11/2015
- EDD: 05/25/2016
Baby Born04/15/2016
PGAL
While I think they look super cute, I see the side of elementary school students who just got their ears pierced and how difficult it can be for some of them to keep their ears clean and think about all the crazy things infants and toddlers get into! Not to be gross, but my son loved "finger painting" during diaper changes and it would be everywhere! It was a struggle and sometimes I would find smears on the back of his neck, in his hair etc etc. So, from an infection prevention standpoint, I think "What if my daughter gets poop in her ear lobes?" (which is one of those crazy things you never thought you would say until you become a parent!)
Also, please be aware of the very real choking hazard that earrings and jewelry present. I understand the cultural significance and the aesthetic appeal, but infants are a lot more crafty than you think and can pull out their earrings and then pop them right in their mouth. And lastly, just be aware that even if your child doesn't pull at the earrings, kids at daycare WILL. My son needed to wear a medical alert bracelet for the first few months of daycare due to his RAD (which he thankfully outgrew!) but every day I would pick him up and it had been ripped off by another kiddo and he had a red mark around his wrist. I didn't dare try for a necklace or one of those magnetic badges and knew a sticker would last about 2 seconds so I ended up just having the teacher carry around his alert card saying his diagnosis, medications, and emergency contact info. I can only imagine if he had sparkly, shiny earrings what a target they would be!
No judgment, just some things to think about and prepare for while making your personal decision. People always groan when I start up because I tend to have the wet-blanket nurse view of all the negative possible outcomes!
My husband is not into the idea, so it's still up for debate. He just doesn't quite get it, not being a girl himself, but I don't want to do something without him being on board, so we'll see.
Not to mention, I have no idea if my daughter will be the type of person who likes jewelry. Some just don't. I prefer to let her choose. No judgment here, though, just my opinion.
Not a judgement or a right/ wrong. Just an observation of how our opinions might be formulated.
DD: 05/14/16
Also get that it's totally a cultural thing. When I studied abroad in Sri Lanka, my host family sister was so confused why I didn't have my ears pierced - she would actually ask me "where are your earrings?" And my grandmother kept trying to pierce them for me, like the only reason I didn't have them pierced yet is that I didn't have anyone to do it for me haha
I don't feel strongly one way or the other, so I'm sure we'll just wait until she asks to have them pieced.
DS: 9/18/12 - 40w5d // DD: 05/17/16 - 40w
I did want to point out that a lot of families choose to have their infants pierced because they're less likely to touch/play with them. I had a bad habit of touching mine and they got very badly infected when I was about ten. It was also compounded by the fact that I have to have stainless steel metals in my piercings- none of the fun plastic or non steel stuff for me. So the plastic happy face earrings my ten year old self was rocking probably didn't help my infection.
I think what you're meaning is that within your family, social circle, or community, girls get their ears pierced somewhere between ages 8-11. Awesome.
DD: 05/14/16
As for piercing, whatever. Not for me. I actually really hate the argument about waiting until he or she can choose. It feels like a pretty strong moral stand to take when compared to the debate on circumcision. But let's not go there today.
And FTR, my very white cousins all had their ears pierced as babies and did the same with their daughters, so....
BFP 10/2/13, EDD 6/3/14
Gave birth to my beautiful son, Owen Robert on 6/4/14!
BFP #2 8/28/15, EDD 5/5/16