When should I pierce my almost 10 mo daughter's ears? Have I waited too long?

Lori - posted on 02/06/2010

I pierced both of my girls ears at 6 months, and they were perfectly fine. We haven't had any issues with the earrings falling out, or either of them playing with them. I think doing it when they're young is so much better because they don't even realize they're there. My 27 month old now says "Mommy, look at my earrings, I am beautiful!"

Tracy - posted on 02/06/2010

Personally I also think its tacky to see babies with pierced ears, I could think of nothing worse than putting my daugher through the pain, because of something I wanted her to have. It should be her choice when she is old enough to make the decision.

Vicki - posted on 02/06/2010

hi i was wanting 2 get my daughters ears pierced (10months) but when i sat and actually thought about the reason i wanted them doin it wasnt enough, the reason i had was becoz shell look cuter. So now my decision is 2 wait till she can ask for them done herself. But this is only my opinion and at the end of the day, your her parent and ull know the right decision. Good luck deciding. xxx

Mandii - posted on 02/06/2010

AniSurei, this is your decision, and good on you for making an appointment. I had my daughters ears pierced when she was 4 months old and she was perfect, she cried for a little bit, max 2 mins and then forgot it even happened. And as long as you clean them as they tell you to they wont get infected. And my daughter is now 10 months and not once has she played or pulled at her earrings.

To all the mothers on here who have forced their opinions and carrying on about child abuse etc... GROW THE F&*! UP!! You are abusing other mothers because of the choices they make! Everyones parenting is different, and no-one is a perfect mother. I can not believe the way some people have acted. AniSurei was simply asking a question, not asking to get abused or have your beliefs forced upon her. I can not comprehend how you can call someone a bad mother for having their daughters ears pierced, shows how much of a person you are to judge someones mothering based on pierced ears!

My daughter has her ears pierced, and if she chooses not to have them when she is older then she can take them out and they will close up. I had my ears pierced when I was a few months old and made a decision not to have them in anymore and now the holes are closed over and there is barely a visible mark. And I doubt my daughter is going to come up to me and say "you violated my human rights mum, im never going to forgive you".. Oh please, reading all those comments about child abuse etc has made me laugh.

And I will say this, if you classify causing your child pain is child abuse and your a bad mother, then YOU are all bad mothers, because birthing your chid causes them a great deal of pain when they are coming through the birth canal! Seriousy think before you try pushing your views on someone, because in my eyes your a hypocrite!

Nicolette - posted on 02/06/2010

I had my eldest daughters ears pierced just b4 she turned a year. She cried for lke 2 min and she was over it.They also use studs so no need to worry about her pulling them out.

Trina - posted on 02/05/2010

i want to get my daughter's ears pierced too but her ear lobes are still to small. i have been told to get them done before she turns one so she won't remember the pain and she will be less likely to play with them.

Kari - posted on 02/05/2010

I got my daughters done at 7 months old. She cried for 20 seconds and then started smiling. She is now 9 months old and she has not touched them once and has had no trouble with them at all. If you are going to get them done young do it soon so she won't touch them. If she doesn't like them when she is older she can take them out and the holes will close. it's not a big thing. My mum got mine done when i was a baby and I'm so grateful cause i'm a chicken now and would be 2 scared to get it done myself. Good luck

Nicole - posted on 02/05/2010

you guys are ADULTS! act like it!!! if you want to get YOUR CHILDS ears pierced, then do it... nobodys opinions are right OR wrong!!!

Rachel - posted on 02/04/2010

I personally would love to do it except for the fact that I couldnt stand putting my baby through the pain, whether its pain for 5 minutes or 2 seconds. I always thought I would want to do it until I had a baby of my own and now I know there is no way I could hold her down while its done and not feel horrible and guilty afterwards.

Marilyn - posted on 02/04/2010

Everyone acts like it is the most permanent thing ever, like your tattooing your baby!

I got my daughter's ears pierced at 3months after her shots. She never cried or anything. I absolutely love them. Never had a problem in the world! If when she is older, and she doesn't want them, then so be it. It's not like its a gigantic whole that the entire world can see.

Don't let anyone make you think that a decision your making with YOUR child is wrong. She isn't going to resent you for it later in life. Ear piercing are the least of our worries with our beautiful little girls growing up!!!

Good luck hunny!!

Kaylee - posted on 02/04/2010

i got my daughters ears pierced when she was 8 months and she 10 months now and i have never had a problem with she dont mess with them at all so i think it would be a good idea and i also think it is really cute when little girls have their ears pierced

Leah - posted on 02/04/2010

I had both my girls ears pierced when they were 6 months old. My oldest my mother took and she didn't cry much she tells me and she's 3 now and loves having earrings! My littlest one cried for about a minute because my mom had to hold her down but after they popped the earrings in she was fine. She's 9 months now and doesn't even notice them. She did however have a little pus in one of them and I had to take them out a few times to clean it good but she never complains. I don't think a few months will make a big difference on getting her ears pierced. When ever your ready go for it! The whole thing is pretty painless. Both my girls never showed any signs that they were in any pain what so ever. I think its silly to look at it as being cruel and I suppose getting there shots is being cruel too. I personally think little girls look adorable with earrings! Good luck!

Heather - posted on 02/04/2010

I have a 3 year old and 9 month old. Both girls got their ears pierced at 8 weeks old. I have never had a problem with either of them pulling on their ears or infection. At that age their pain receptors are not fully formed. I have to say that a baby cries more from the noise of the gun scarinr them then the pain. If you want to pierce her ears then go for it.

Meryl - posted on 02/04/2010

I had my daughter Kyra's done when she turned 10 months. Fussed for exactly five minutes & then was fine . If you do get it done , choose pure gold over artificial as pure gold will not have any adverse reactions, will heal faster . I used a bit of antiseptic cream. The redness goes away in a couple of days. It's a personal choice & one for you to make.

Jennifer - posted on 02/03/2010

I agree with the mums who say dont do it! I think it looks horrible to see a baby with earrings - its like you think they look like a boy and so put earrings in them to make sure people know its a little girl.

Really tacky and it hurts! Why would you want to put such a little thing through that? When she is old enough to make a conscious decision she can accept that it will hurt too.

Autumn - posted on 02/03/2010

I had my daughter, Cierra's done at 8 months and she did great...no big deal. They did both ears at the same time which was nice. We haven't had any real big issues with them.

Donna - posted on 02/03/2010

Hey there!! My daughter is ten months next week. we got her ears pierced at 4 months, she cried for 5 minutes, gave her baby Tylenol then she slept for 4 hours! and still to this day she doesn't even know there in there!!! Her Pedi. said that, the younger the baby is, the softer the ear lobe. So, I would def get them done!! And as far as sleeping goes. it never bothered miss Amira!!

Rachel - posted on 02/03/2010

I think it's wrong to pierce your child's ears. It is her body, and her decision when she is old enough to make the decision for herself.

Lindsay - posted on 02/03/2010

Wow what a can of worms! I had my first girl's done at 6 months. There was no crying or bleeding or problems. Once she started school she didn't want to wear earrings anymore so we stopped and they closed up. 2 years later she decides she wants them done again at age 7. The fuss she made then was a million times worse than at 6 months! She practically cleared the shop with her screams, even though we had told her what would happen and she watched someone else get done first. Now at age 8 she doesn't wear them regularly as she's not into jewellry really so no doubt we will go through it all again when she is a teen! My 9 month old has not had hers done, and we have decided not to do it until she wants it done at 4,5,6 or whatever age. It's a personal choice for every set of parents to make, so you do whatever you feel is right x x

Donna - posted on 02/03/2010

We are all different - I'm 42 & so glad I DON'T have my ears pieced!! Relieved that my mum didn't have mine pieced when I was a baby! My 10 month old daughter won't be allowed to have her ears pieced until she is old enough (maybe 16) to understand the consequences of having holes put in her body. I think her ears are so cute just the way they are - I can't improve on perfect! I personally think its unnecessary to inflict that on my baby. As I said at the beginning - we're all different though.....

Emma - posted on 02/03/2010

My daughter is 10 months old and we have decided to pierce her ears next month after alot of time thinking about whether it is the right thing or not. I think it is definitely up to the parents, I used to do ear piercing and 6wks was the youngest age we could do. We did at least 2 a day on average under 1yr old the babies all seem to tolerate it very well 5 minutes of crying and they were fine. My thoughts are also if I was to do them now she will be less likely to play with them and get an infection and I also think it is not that much different than getting her vaccinations without getting the fever and being unsettled for a few days.

Ani I think you do whatever you feel is right for you and your baby. Good luck!!

Christine - posted on 02/03/2010

My pediatrician told me to do it after my daughter got her 2 month vaccines, i did it about a week after. Hers healed perfect she didnt mess with them and when they r smaller they dont notice they r having pain. She is now 9 months. your daughter might mess with them now that she can establish where the pain is at.

Jennifer - posted on 02/03/2010

I can't believe that some people would judge mother's who get their daughter's ears pierced. I have SO much to say on that subject that I wouldn't be able to fit it all here. I am a responsible, loving, and VERY protective mother. I would only do what I thought was best for MY baby. Alayna had her ears pierced at 4 months old. She cried for under a minute. I nursed her and she was right as rain. She throws more of a fit over being hungry or tired or gassy so.... LOL. Anyway, her earring are simple and tasteful, adorable! She has never messed with the earrings and they healed quickly. I get SO many compliments on her little earrings, not that that's why I did it to begin with. You've got to figure that when a little girl SAYS she wants her ears pierced, she's not anymore informed at that age than at infancy. If you're going to argue that side, you might as well not let her do it until she's 23 or so, which is when the "choice and long term consequence" understanding is fully developed. Not to mention there is at that time "fear" associated with it. I've heard too many stories of mother's buying the earrings and they go to perform the piercing (which is usually simultaneous) and she backs out. And cries because she really wants the earrings but is too scared to actually do it. I don't know ANY woman or girl that regrets their mother's decision to pierce their ears as babies...if anything they are grateful for it. So as far as the pain (which is like 4 seconds if that) goes, if we are going to go there "not subjecting our children to any pain" Let's stop ALL circumcisions, vaccinations and put them in helmets, knee and elbow pads and all that extra gear just to play in the house....sounds extreme huh? It's clear to me that the mother who asked the question WANTS to pierce her daughters ears and had a question regarding opinions on infection and whatnot dealing with the earrings....not to be talked out of it. So let's keep the answers relevant to the question. Nothing annoys me more.



Now to answer your question AniSurei, Does your daughter pull at her ears now? If not, I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect because they are out of sight and a few hours after the piercing, they can't feel them And if she does pull on them, it'll get to the point that it hurts and she'll stop. If you see it, give her a toy and keep her little hands busy! I had no problem with infection, I just cleaned them with the solution twice a day and turned them. It was cake! I'm sure your little angel will look precious in her new duds! Best of Luck to you and YOUR decision. =)

Tasha - posted on 02/03/2010

I'll tell you what I am going to do for my daughter, it's how my mom did it for me and it was pretty cool.
I wasn't allowed to get my ears pierced until I was 10. It was like a rite of passage for turning double digits (which is soo cool anyway when your a kid) So I thought I was so grown up and it made me feel really great, even though it hurt like a b*@ch!

Stephanie - posted on 02/03/2010

It's unfortunate that this topic has become such an argumentative subject matter. I think some of us are just wondering WHY you want to get your daughters' ears pierced? We are very confused. I can't think of any way this can help their social, emotional, or physical development and well being? I am not attacking you, although I see that others on this strand certainly have gone that route. I would just like to know why do mothers pierce their daughters' ears? I struggle with this as it doesn't seem to do anything but entertain the mother and treat the baby as a 'thing' to show off to the world. Just an opinion, not an attack.

Christina - posted on 02/03/2010

chantelle... how dare you think that you can wonder what kind of mother I am just cause I might be considering getting my daughters ears pierced or anyone els for that matter

Nasim - posted on 02/02/2010

why would you want to change her body? she will not benefit from earings. she is pure and pretty and doesn't need earing to look or feel better. she'll have plenty of time to abuse her body later with sightly and unsightly piercings and tattoos. don't try to give her a head start. in addition to the fact that this is completely unnecessary (and i question your desire to have been wanting to do this to her since she was 3 months old!!!!!) it can be dangerous. first of all she'll hurt when they do it. second she may have trouble sleeping on her side. third, there is always a risk of infection and bleeding, and keloid formation (look it up!) which is uglier than you might think of your daughter without earings!!! fourth, the earings will weigh on her ear and give her a tear in the ear lobe and she'll look like an alien and won't be able to wear any earings unless she gets another piercing!!! fifth, there is always a chance that the earings will fall because she will have been playing with them and she'll pick them up and put them in her mouth and there you have it: a sure chance of visit to the emergency room, a surgery to remove the earing from her esophagus or worse trachea if she hasn't stopped breathing by then!!! sixth, some stranger who couldn't care less about your baby's prettyness and cares more about their next meal can try to steel her earings by yanking on them causing harm to your precious little girl. i mean i can go on and on, but really why oh why would you want to do this. you want to dismember something? go get another piercing in your own ear! for God's sake leave your daughter out of your desires and needs!!!!!

Amy - posted on 02/02/2010

THE QUESTION WAS
"When should I pierce my almost 10 mo daughter's ears? Have I waited too long?"
If you think it's wrong or abuse keep it to yourself!!~ She didn't ask that..
I think it's pathetic that everyone is worried about getting their ears pierced is so horrible.. that's your opinion and if you want to start a post about abuse then add on the fact about people smoking in closed up cars with their babies/children in the car driving down the road, or swearing in front of your children.. I liked the one lady who said if you pierce your daughters ears then you are a bad mom.. I bet you that you have never done anything wrong.. she wasn't asking
Do you think if I pierce my daughter's ears that I am a bad mom..

I think it is your choice.. I always thought that I wouldn't do it to my own daughter and saw my cousin get it done at 9 mos old and she barely cried.. maybe 1 minute and that's it.. you just have to clean them .. she never had problems pulling on them or sleeping!! Good luck in your decision..

Katherine - posted on 02/02/2010

im glad you decided to get them done I was one of those babies who got their ears pierced and I dont remember the pain or I asked moy mom and she said I dint get an infection. and honestly If your child pulls on the earring as a smart mother you would take them out BEFORE they can rip it out of their ear. ANd If you het someone good there isnt tramua ( and we al have to go through certification class and train on dummys before we touch anyone and our first isnt on a baby). Sometimes Its easier to get things done. Im the middle child of 6. when u have more kids there always isnt money to do things when u please but if the money is there we did it as kids. ANd i think its sad people think its child abuse. There is worse then a child getting their ears pierced and why dont you focuse on that.! But Anisurei im glad u decided for urself. Cant wait to see pictures with ur beautiful daughters ears pierced. ANd for the record I am pregnant and If its a girl I will be piercing my childs ear myself think what you want speak what you want but she is my child so ur rude comments have no room.

Stephanie - posted on 02/02/2010

We are all mothers and we will all make different choices for our babies. I must ask though, why is it that so many of you feel the NEED to pierce your babies' ears at such a young age? If you're honest, I think you will admit that it is for your OWN pleasure. To each their own, but I just don't understand it. They have the rest of their lives to enjoy clothing, fashion or hopefully less materialistic things. What is the rush?

Chelsey - posted on 02/02/2010

Brianne: i struggle with the same thing everyday i question if what I'm doing is good for my daughter i struggle all the time wondering if I'm a good mother and i also joined to get help and understanding and open hearts and minds but most of the time thats not what we get.... AniSurei, good for you my daughter cried for no more then 2 to 3 mins and then she got focused on something else wish you the bet of the luck♥

Brianne - posted on 02/02/2010

AniSurei, Good luck I hope all goes well :) and like I said before having a lollipop ready at hand was great. My daughter cried for maybe 1 minute and then I took her and let her lick the sucker and she was great. Also if you are concerned about pain you can give her a little bit of baby Tylenol beforehand... again good luck! I'm sure you daughter will look even lovelier then she already is :)

As for some of the other moms. I really do not appreciate being called stupid or evil or an abusive mother... I just think that is totally uncalled for. Just because we have different views on a subject is no reason to call someones parenting into question.
I joined this forum because I THOUGHT it was going to be a place where grown women could come together and share the ups and downs of parenthood, a place where we could share our successes and failures and support each other. Instead it has turned into a childish pissing match over who thinks they are better parents.... At this point in my life I already question daily if I'm a good enough mother, am I doing all that I can for her? is she getting enough sleep, food, social time? etc. the very last thing I need is a complete stranger telling me that I am EVIL and STUPID for one decision that I have made. We are all human, none of us are perfect and at some point we all fail but that does NOT make us failures. I think we need to all agree to disagree and stick to the rule "If you can't say something nice do not say anything at all"

Blessings.

Trocia - posted on 02/02/2010

i pierce my daughter at 5 mos. old. She did cried at first and I had a bottle waiting for her next. She looks so cute with it

AniSurei - posted on 02/02/2010

As with her shots and blood draws I am more nervous than she is... I had my ears pierced as a baby and I'm choosing to do the same to my daughter. Maybe I should have directed my question to those mothers who had already gotten their babies ears pierced because really I only wanted to know how their child reacted. I had always been planning to get her ears pierced young and had only delayed because of lack of time. I have an appt. Feb 12 to get it done and I am perfectly happy with it. Thank you to all who provided support and "helpful" comments.

Chelsey - posted on 02/02/2010

Chantelle: why are you trying to push your beliefs on someone she ask for advice not for you to sit her and rant and rant then rant some more about how it's child abuse if it was child abuse it would be illigal but it's not everyone has a opinion and I'm sure she appriciates it but it does not to be yelled in to her brain...You should not be so judge mental nor tell other people that they are bad parents because they have had the childs ears pierced. My daughters ears are beautiful and I'm sure so is everyone elses kids that have had them done that does not mean they are bad parents or stupid we all make choices and you choose not to for your personal reasons that doesnt mean we should all be just like you your not perfect either so just stop...dont be so dramtic

Danila - posted on 02/02/2010

I had my daughters ears pierced when she was two months old. She cried for all of two seconds. It is a personal choice. I believe it was one of the best decisions that I made. My friend tells the story of having her daughter's ears pierced at five. Once the first ear was done she did not want to get the second one done. They had to walk the mall for an hour and then bribe her to get it done. No thank you! That is not fun for you or for your child. Plus if they are younger when you do it they will not feel your anxiety about them feeling pain. My advice to you is, do what you want and don't worry about what other people think. After all, she is your daughter not theirs.

Chantelle - posted on 02/02/2010

Christina Cox, you obviously didn't have them done for a reason, nor wear them now for a reason so why the hell would you do it to your daughter? I really wonder what sort of mothers you all are.

Amanda - posted on 02/02/2010

Wow.. Some people are extremely rude on this subject. I have not had my daughters ears pierced, but I firmly believe in our own freedoms... So I think people should really do what they believe in and not judge others. I can't believe how nasty people have gotten over this. It isn't breaking the law and all of these are personal opinions. This person is asking for advice, not asking to get yelled at. It is definitely something not to be taken lightly, but do what you want, not what other people are telling you.

Chelsey - posted on 02/02/2010

Its going to be my choice in the future weather she has them done or not and it was my choice now whats the big deal if she grows up and doesnt want them she will take them out its not something that in the end is gonna effect her life dramatically like there two little holes that you can take out nd will close your making it seem like this decision is going to effect her life like no other. Grow up

Emily - posted on 02/02/2010

so you think that piercing your daughters ears young will make her happy she had them done young...maybe your daughter wont like them..i dont believe it should be the parents choice to pierce a babies ears..when she is old enough to ask and understand what they are the parent makes the final choice at the end of the day..why rush?

Christina - posted on 02/02/2010

I've been considering the same thing for my daughter. I didn't get my own ears pierced till later in life and I don't wear them so I personally think that now is the best time and it's definiely not abusive or disgraceful!

Chelsey - posted on 02/02/2010

Please do not be so dramatic! If it hurt that bad they would cry for more then 5 mins! Its her choice along with the other moms who have them done! Do not tell us that we are bad parents, or that were abusing our child how can you compare getting there ears pierced to beating them all of us in my family have had our ears pierced before we were four months old yeah some of them didn't like them and took them out it didn't leave a big hole nor did it cause them any pain! Its her choice like I said worry about you and your choices and you being a good parent and stop criticizing other.

Sophie - posted on 02/02/2010

I would never get my daughter's ears pierced without her consent. Honestly, I can't wait for that milestone when she is older and asks to get it done. I look forward to bringing her to get them pierced and we can both remember that moment for the rest of our lives. :)

Also, at this age, her ears are still growing. The holes may be centered now but as her ears grow, the holes won't be in the same place.

Chantelle - posted on 02/02/2010

Go Sally Henderson. I'm so glad that there are others out there that think like me. And to those of you that say it is not abuse, you obviously do not think very much about your child. You obviously think that your thoughts and feelings are more important. Why do you think that you are not supposed to smack your child? Because it is classed as a form of abuse and why is that? Because it hurts and causes marks, bruises, upset etc
And that is exactly what having their ears pierced does. Hurt, cause pain and upset and leave holes in there body that were not meant to be there. My husband says you were born with the holes that you were meant to have. and that's exactly right. How are you all going to feel when your daughter is old enough to know better and comes to you and says why did you cause me pain in the name of fashion, i don't even like having my ears pierced. ????
I am 29 and had a tattoo at 15 and have hated it since the age of 20. I was old enough to understand what i was doing but regretted it afterwards. It is your childs decision as to what happens to his or her body when they are old enough. Do not take that away from them just because you think it looks cute.

Elissa - posted on 02/02/2010

I'm sorry, but I do not understand putting holes in your child's body because YOU think it is cute! If you are concerned about the pain & infection maybe you should consider waiting until she is old enough to actually know what earrings are & ask for them herself! Really what's more important to you? Inflicting pain on your child for something you want, not her...or protecting her from pain because it seems to me that if you are definitely going to get it done, why does it matter if you do it at 3 mo or 10 mo??

Sally - posted on 02/02/2010

the parents who have got their babies ears pierced are getting a little touchy about the subject arn't they hey. its because thier either stupid or evil and holding babies down to have holes stabed in there bodys is abuse! i don't understand why the hell you would do it? because you think its (pretty) well its not!
when i see a baby with earings i pity the child and feel discust for the parent.
its WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No responsible parent should ever want their child to be in pain. It is hard enough watching your baby cry squirm when it has vaccinations! I think that making your child suffer in the name of fashion is cruel and vulgar!
why would you:
1. inflict unnecessary pain on your baby.
2.Risk infection or injury.
3.leave permanant holes in your baby
4.risk them be traumatized by such pain.
5. risk them ripping out or swallowing an earing
Culture and tradition are not an excuse
What's the hurry? babies are beautiful as they are.
is a pair of earings worth the risk of infection and a stay in hospital? if your answer is yes then you are a bad parent.

Jene - posted on 02/01/2010

i had my daughters done at 5 months,she screamed her head off when the lady did them then i gave her some tylenol and a bottle and she was cool. now shes 9 months and there was no infections,she didn't pull at them and she was able to sleep.so u can do it only thing if she super strong your gonna wanna hold her tight

Chelsey - posted on 02/01/2010

I just have to say i went through and read everyones comments and i can't believe how such a little thing as getting your daughters ears pierced can blow up in to such a big deal...Its not child abuse, its not cruel and if it was it would be illigal but its not and To one of the mothers my daughters ears are beautiful.

Chelsey - posted on 02/01/2010

I got my daughters done when she was 4 months old cried alittle bit but gave her something else and she moved on. saying its child abuse is a little extreme to me. Everyone's different my daughter becuz she was young when i got them has forgotten about them she never pulled on them nor got an infection its your choice everyone has opinions and no matter what you do theres always gonna be critics out there judging you every step of the way. Go with your gut and if you do get them done its your choice keep them clean and keep her distracted.

Katherine - posted on 02/01/2010

I used to pierce babies ears when I was assistant manager at claries. Some babies pull some dont...... It honestly feels about like when she is getting shoots. And it might be sore for the next couple of days but baby tyneol works just like with shots. As for infection as long as you keep them clean. If you dont clean them then they will get infected...... The thing that is the most uncomfortable is the fact you have to hold them so snug to you because they dont understand what the pain is and if she moves they can miss and pierce it to low so u have to make sure to hold them tight. other than that its easy. Like some of the other moms have said when they are ready theyll ask... but I have had little girls come in ready to go and then get one and not want the second and the mom still has to pay .... Sometimes its the mom and or the little girl that gets scared and then want to stop.Or its the crowd that gathers that makes them change their mind. So in the end its up to you and what you feel your the mother. ANd in the end if she doesnt want them u can take the earring out and the hole will close. For a while you can see the mark of where they were pierced then after time it goes away. Good luck either way in what you decide