Totally random... pierced ears for baby?

VelociMama

Wow. Ask for advice and MFPers step up LOL. Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments. I think I will most likely wait until she wants it done and understands what is involved. Not because I think I'll emotionally scar her if I get her ears pierced now, or because I'm concerned about making a decision for my baby (as parents, we do that all the time anyway)... but mainly because I see no reason to get it done other than "it's cute" (that is also my husband's one and only argument). The cons WAY outweigh the pros in my opinion. Possible infections, she could pop one out and swallow it (she's definitely in the teething stage and is putting EVERYTHING in her mouth), not to mention the pain... even if it's quick... I still don't want to cause her pain just because I want her to look cute. She's cute without the earrings. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

You also got tons of advice on any future circumsions you may or not plan as well... :laugh:

Good luck with the teething. My daughter just got through teething her third and working on her fourth....

LOL... yeah, wasn't expecting that. Good to know in case we ever have a boy in the future

Lesson learned: NEVER ask for parenting advice online unless you have very thick skin! Good luck with your little one!

Becoming_A_Butterfly

Getting a baby's ears pierced is obviously for the parents and not for the baby. A child is not a baby doll. Let her make that decision.

badgeratheart

I don't think pierced ears on a baby is cute at all. It makes them look like they're older than they are and there's no need to make our babies grow up any faster.

TyFit08

Wow surprised that so many would be against this. I got my ears pierced at 1. I remember wanting a second hole which my mother wouldn't allow until I was a teenager, but I couldn't imagine not having pierced ears at all. My best friend got her daughter's ears pierced at 6 months at her pediatrician's office. If I have girls I will do the same. For girls, getting their ears pierced when they are little is much like a boy getting his first haircut. It's ears people, not like anyone is getting their baby's bellybutton pierced. It is no big deal.

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

I don't think pierced ears on a baby is cute at all. It makes them look like they're older than they are and there's no need to make our babies grow up any faster.

Really? An earring on a baby makes it look older? Really? It overshadows the tiny face and all?

crazytreelady

Not acceptable. It should be her choice. Would you enjoy getting holes poked in you without your permission?

TyFit08

Another reason why I am glad that I got my ears pierced as a baby and why I plan to do the same if I have a girl. My mother kept the earrings. Yes still have the earrings from when I was a baby as a keepsake. Something I wore as one year old has much more sentimental value then if I had did it as a teenager. I can't speak for other cultures, but in the United States it is so culturally acceptable and expected that pediatricians do the piercing. If you think piercing is so bad, ever tried wearing clip on earrings for more than five minutes, now that is painful.

DGK12

My mom got my ears pierced when I was an infant, and they were CONSTANTLY infected. I finally took them out, and didn't put them back in for like, 4 or 5 years. Because of that, I waited until my daughter told me she wanted to do them. She was almost 8 when she came to me and asked me if she could have it done. Glad I didn't do it when she was a baby

sunsnstatheart

I don't think pierced ears on a baby is cute at all. It makes them look like they're older than they are and there's no need to make our babies grow up any faster.

Really? An earring on a baby makes it look older? Really? It overshadows the tiny face and all?

Its like little pre-wrinkles and and age spots!

tpittsley77

It's a personal decision. It sounds like you're leaning toward not doing it. Do what you think is best for your child. That's your job as a parent. You are parenting this child, not anyone on this board. Only you can know what is best in this case.
As for those who claim that it's probably okay simple because it's socially acceptable - slavery was once socially acceptable. Socially acceptable does not equal morally acceptable.

Seriously??? Comparing baby ear piercing to slavery?? That's not even close to the same thing. And how is it morally wrong?

crazytreelady

It's a personal decision. It sounds like you're leaning toward not doing it. Do what you think is best for your child. That's your job as a parent. You are parenting this child, not anyone on this board. Only you can know what is best in this case.
As for those who claim that it's probably okay simple because it's socially acceptable - slavery was once socially acceptable. Socially acceptable does not equal morally acceptable.

Seriously??? Comparing baby ear piercing to slavery?? That's not even close to the same thing. And how is it morally wrong?

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

It's a personal decision. It sounds like you're leaning toward not doing it. Do what you think is best for your child. That's your job as a parent. You are parenting this child, not anyone on this board. Only you can know what is best in this case.
As for those who claim that it's probably okay simple because it's socially acceptable - slavery was once socially acceptable. Socially acceptable does not equal morally acceptable.

Seriously??? Comparing baby ear piercing to slavery?? That's not even close to the same thing. And how is it morally wrong?

Typically Nazi comparisons appear before slavery comparisons.

Pspetal

My parents had my ears pierced when I was a few months old I think. So did their parents and everyone else I know in India. Its normal there. No one I know ever had any infection or allergies that I know of (that could be because only pure 24 carat gold in the form of a wire loop is worn especially for babies). I've also never heard of babies picking them out or hurting themselves with it. I never saw it as a coming of age thing or a personal choice thing. It's just one more thing you do when you have kids there. I never even knew clip-on earrings existed till a few years back.
It completely depends on your choice as a parent. I can tell you that it causes no trauma (besides a little pain during the piercing which babies forget soon) or affect you psychologically in later life.

SugarBoomBoom

No. What's the rush?

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

My parents had my ears pierced when I was a few months old I think. So did their parents and everyone else I know in India. Its normal there. No one I know ever had any infection or allergies that I know of (that could be because only pure 24 carat gold in the form of a wire loop is worn especially for babies). I've also never heard of babies picking them out or hurting themselves with it. I never saw it as a coming of age thing or a personal choice thing. It's just one more thing you do when you have kids there. I never even knew clip-on earrings existed till a few years back.
It completely depends on your choice as a parent. I can tell you that it causes no trauma (besides a little pain during the piercing which babies forget soon) or affect you psychologically in later life.

Yep. Happens thousands of times a day around the world, and somehow those babies survive and manage to live normal lives.

Note that in countries where it is commonplace, they know to use the right kind of earrings, including some that are threaded and do not come off easily at all.

PicklePlum

I got my ears pierced at around 3 yo. I asked my mom for them. I agree with waiting for the child to ask for them.

MrsBikiniBound

My parents pierced my ears when I was a baby, it didnt traumatize me or anything horrific. I was actually glad to have them growing up. Let it be a decision between you and your husband

Iron_Duchess

My parents had my ears pierced when I was a few months old I think. So did their parents and everyone else I know in India. Its normal there. No one I know ever had any infection or allergies that I know of (that could be because only pure 24 carat gold in the form of a wire loop is worn especially for babies). I've also never heard of babies picking them out or hurting themselves with it. I never saw it as a coming of age thing or a personal choice thing. It's just one more thing you do when you have kids there. I never even knew clip-on earrings existed till a few years back.
It completely depends on your choice as a parent. I can tell you that it causes no trauma (besides a little pain during the piercing which babies forget soon) or affect you psychologically in later life.

Yep. Happens thousands of times a day around the world, and somehow those babies survive and manage to live normal lives.

Note that in countries where it is commonplace, they know to use the right kind of earrings, including some that are threaded and do not come off easily at all.

^^ This. My daughter' s ratings are 18k and threaded at the end. Never got infected, still wear them, no problems.

Tannedtiffers

My daughter is 11, almost 12. ....

I had hers done when she was 3 months old with her shot record. My pediatrician said just to give her a half dose of infant Tylenol 30-45 min before I had them done. There was a piercer on each side of her that pierced at the same time. My daughter never cried or seemed scared to have it done.

When she was 5 she started asking for her 2nd holes. I waited til she was 6 to have the second set done.

I don't believe I made a wrong choice at all.

katatonickitten

I had mine done when I was a baby- and a second hole done when I was 4 or 6...
and then had the upper ear done when I was 12

it hurts less and takes less time to heal when you do it as a baby
for the love of god though- do not have it done with a punch gun. please go to a proper place and have them do it with hollow needles... the gun punch is so unsanitary and just asking for trouble.
Causes more damage to the skin and shock to the area too..
just not pretty
and those guns are damn near impossible to clean so each piercing gets skin cells from whomever got them done before - too many jerky jarring moving parts...

fallenoaks

I wouldn't pierce a baby's ears. I think it looks trashy. Just my personal aesthetic opinion though.

fleur_de_lis19

It's a personal decision. It sounds like you're leaning toward not doing it. Do what you think is best for your child. That's your job as a parent. You are parenting this child, not anyone on this board. Only you can know what is best in this case.
As for those who claim that it's probably okay simple because it's socially acceptable - slavery was once socially acceptable. Socially acceptable does not equal morally acceptable.

Seriously??? Comparing baby ear piercing to slavery?? That's not even close to the same thing. And how is it morally wrong?

Bahaha! Seriously!! I personally didn't pierce my daughter's. I feel like that's her choice.

RunIntheMud

It's a decision for you to make. And, there is no reason for anyone to judge one way or another.

I had my daughter's pierced when she was 6 months old because her father wanted them done. I was hesitant, but after speaking with the pediatrician made sure all precautions were taken and that we did it as safely as possible.

Personally, I'm glad we did it. The pain is equivalent to getting an immunization. Within seconds she stopped crying. I was responsible for the care and cleaning, so there was little chance for infection. I had my ears pierced when I was 6, and I was so horrible with taking care of them. One ear got infected, then I lost the earrings and they closed up. My daughter is so used to earrings now and there is no care necessary.

But, again...to each their own.

SoViLicious

I had my daughters done at 3 months by her pediatrician. My mom waited until I was eight for mine to be pierced and I developed a keloid. The doctor told me that the younger she gets it done the least likely she would develop one.

crazytreelady

It's a personal decision. It sounds like you're leaning toward not doing it. Do what you think is best for your child. That's your job as a parent. You are parenting this child, not anyone on this board. Only you can know what is best in this case.
As for those who claim that it's probably okay simple because it's socially acceptable - slavery was once socially acceptable. Socially acceptable does not equal morally acceptable.

Seriously??? Comparing baby ear piercing to slavery?? That's not even close to the same thing. And how is it morally wrong?

Bahaha! Seriously!! I personally didn't pierce my daughter's. I feel like that's her choice.

I know that :P.

I just think it's quite a cowinkydink that slavery ended up in this thread.

ObiRenKenobi

I wouldn't..

Nataliaho

Not a fan, I chose to get my ears pierced at 18. I wouldn't be doing it to a child of mine until they have a) decided for themselves they want it done, b) maintained that desire over time and c) I feel they are responsible enough to look after them.

I don't think its cute on babies at all....

Shanni827

I have 5 children and with my first daughter I had her's pierced when she was 6 months old (her grandmother insisted). They lasted about 2 months after she pulled out and lost 3 sets of diamond earrings, including the one's with the screw on backs. After that I waited to let all of my girls decide if they wanted them. They all have had their ears pierced at some point including my 4 year old who insisted on getting her ears done. She decided she didn't like them anymore and we took them out.

The bottom line is that I let them decide when they get them done, and if they decide they don't like them we take them out. Babies and toddlers, in my opinion are too small.

strawberrytoast

I dont think its cute and i wouldnt do it. Babies should be cute already.

slhall0822

I definitely had no idea so many people were against baby ear piercing. Interesting.