ear piercing!!

Natasha - posted on 03/21/2009

again i thank u all for ur comments as u can see for my picture u would have no reason to mistake my daughter for a boy she looks very girly as it is. i can honestly say i wasnt thinking about  getting them done to promote her as a female and i certainly wouldnt put her in a tshirt saying i have a vagina. i didnt ask to ignite anybodys flame as i said in my orginal question i was brought up that u can have ur ears pierced when ur ready to ask. i was just  wondering weither it would be easier for her to have them done while shes small as she wouldnt trouble them now.  which is why i asked the question and i see from some of ur comments you have very strong views on the subject as i find some of ur comments slightly abusive i will now be closing the thread to further comments im not against anybody choosing to have there childs ears pierced i dont personally think its cruel or evil aslong as it is done putting great thought into the matter and done properly so not to cause the child endless pain and distress. i also wouldnt class ear piercing as mutilating a child but i thank you all for your personally view it was very eye opening to see how the rest of the world feels about the subject.

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

I swear, sometimes I think people start these threads just to incite a flame fest but since you asked...

No, I would not punch holes in my kid. I am also in total agreement that if someone decides to punch holes in their kid a hollow needle should be used in a sterile environment. Guns can not be properly sterilized.

Quoting Emily:


I personally think parents who pierce their infants ears do it for selfish reasons. Because they're sick of the child being mistaken for a boy, or because it looks "cute" and "pretty". That's not a reason to mutilate your baby without her consent. It's selfish, cruel, unnecessary and totally cosmetic

Yeah, if it is that necessary to advertise what kind of genitals your baby has just get her a shirt that says, "I have a vagina." It's a lot less painful.

Emily - posted on 03/20/2009

I would never pierce an infant. I would never put holes in her body without her permission. It should be a "big girl privilege". Because then she can make the decision herself, and actually take care of them. An 8 month old might be able to get hold of the earrings and choke on one.
I personally think parents who pierce their infants ears do it for selfish reasons. Because they're sick of the child being mistaken for a boy, or because it looks "cute" and "pretty". That's not a reason to mutilate your baby without her consent. It's selfish, cruel, unnecessary and totally cosmetic

Melissa - posted on 03/20/2009

YIKES! That's cruel!

Melissa - posted on 03/20/2009

i am going to wait until my daughter is at least 8 years old. and i will take her to the dermatologist like my mom did for me. there's something unnerving about seeing an infant with piereced ears.and NEVER let them do it at a piercing pagoda at the mall!

Tamara - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Sarah:

My opinion is that children shouldn't have their ears pierced until they're old enough to make the decision on their own, and really weigh the pros and cons. DD will not be able to get her ears pierced until she's 6 years old. If you do get your baby's ears pierced, please, please, please have it done at her doctor's office (not some place in the mall), or even a very reputable tattoo shop (where they have a sterile environment for piercing and know what they're doing). GL!

This.  My daughter won't be pierced until she's old enough to want them and take care of them.  Only after that will we consider it and will only have a family doctor do it or go to a reputable tattoo shop.

Jolene - posted on 03/20/2009

Personally I could not put my baby through pain just for the sake of 'wanting' her ears pierced because I think it's cute or whatever the reason. Once she is old enough to want them done on her own, and old enough for me to explain to her that it will hurt then she can have them done. Not untill then.

Sara - posted on 03/20/2009

I do agree that you shouldn't take her to the mall and get it done, it's not sterile. I think you, as her mother, just need to weigh the pros and cons of it. Since there is the possibility of infection, you probably want to wait until at least 6 months old. You also have to think of allergies since some people (me included) are allergic or sensitive to certain metals like nickel. You'll want the earrings to be made of either surgical steel or 14k gold products. Also, you need to consider scarring. Some people have poor wound healing where a thickened area of skin forms at the break in the skin. If you have a family member with this issue, then it could happen to your child. I don't really have an opinion one way or the other if you should do it or not, you're her mother, so you will decide what you'd like to do. I don't think I'm going to get my daughter's ears pierced until she can decide for herself simply because I kind of think of it as one more thing I'm going to have to worry about (cleaning them, turning them, changing them, worry about them getting caught on something...etc). :)

Natasha - posted on 03/20/2009

thank you everybody for your comments i would just like to add where my children are concerned i never do anything without a considerible amount of thought and please sarah dont worry wheither i have her ears pierced in a month or 10 yrs time they will be done properly and she will with any luck never step foot into a tattoo parlor ever!! but i thank u from one mother to another for your concern

Candace - posted on 03/20/2009

I did both of my girls at 6 months. Best thing! Wait until she is due for a bottle. When she is so hungry, have the bottle ready, pierce the ears and stick the bottle in to hush her up. They forget right away.

Lauren - posted on 03/20/2009

personally!   I think it is cruel and i believe parents should wait until their child is old enough to understand that it will hurt! Explain to them that it's their descision and don't do it until they can take care of it and they want to!  Just my take on the matter!

Sarah - posted on 03/20/2009

My opinion is that children shouldn't have their ears pierced until they're old enough to make the decision on their own, and really weigh the pros and cons. DD will not be able to get her ears pierced until she's 6 years old. If you do get your baby's ears pierced, please, please, please have it done at her doctor's office (not some place in the mall), or even a very reputable tattoo shop (where they have a sterile environment for piercing and know what they're doing). GL!