should i pierce my daughters ears when she's born?

Maxine - posted on 05/01/2011

i had my daughters ears pierced at about 6 months and had no problems, even with her teething, just keep them clean and turn them in the bath and its all good

Brittney - posted on 04/30/2011

I waited till my daughter was like 5 or 6 months then i peirced her ears myself :D Its up to you but just try to find some that are best so she doesnt try to pull them out cuz the ones i have in my daughters ears now i bought them at walmart the kind that u pierce in there ears yourself or have them to do it for you at wal-mart. :D those work best for me cuz she doesnt try to pull them out :D

Jocelyn - posted on 04/30/2011

Please wait and let your daughter choose. It is her body and we have no right to modify our children's bodies for our own vanity. When she is old enough to ask for them, then by all means pierce away! But please take her to a proper piercing parlor. Do not use the plastic guns. They cannot be sterilized properly and using a hollow needle is less traumatic on the tissue than pushing a fairly blunt object thru the ear.
I distinctly remember when my mom took me to get my ears pierced; we made a whole day of it and I felt like such a grownup! I want to make memories like that with my daughter :)

OhJessie - posted on 04/30/2011

"For those of you who want to talk down to others because of the choices they made/will make; when did their life become yours?"

Bullshit. It's not YOUR life,it's THEIR life. Sure, they're yours for a little while - they're on LEND. At a certain point it becomes THEIR life and THEIR story. Not YOURS. Sure, they're yours for NOW but they won't. always. be.

That's my main objection to mommybloggers - there comes a point where it's THEIR story and not yours to tell. FFS can we respect the privacy of our children or not? My daughter is grown and now it's HER story to tell; it was HER story to tell since a long time ago. Not everything is about YOU. (Again, when I capitalize, I'm not screaming, I'm *emphasizing*.)

OhJessie - posted on 04/30/2011

Another thing, do NOT, I repeat do NOT go to a place where they use a "gun". If you MUST pierce a baby's ears, go somewhere where they use a needle. Those guns are violent and destructive. They could screw your kid up for life. Let a qualified person who uses piercing needles do it. Guns just are NOT the way to go.

OhJessie - posted on 04/30/2011

Patti - you know I had my ears pierced when I was 13 and now I have - oops! - SCARS. I can't wear earrings, but I have painful scars. So like yeah, go ahead and pierce the baby's ears (UGH!) or maybe leave them the hell alone!

OhJessie - posted on 04/30/2011

My mom wouldn't let me pierce my ears until I was 13.

I know in some cultures it's what they do and I don't disrespect that, but...yeah, no. Leave her poor little ears alone. You wouldn't pierce her clit, right? Leave it to her decision when she's old enough. My daughter just had her labret pierced and I HATE it, but...well she's 22 so I guess I just have to live with it.

Rachel - posted on 04/30/2011

GET THEM DONNNNEEEE ..... i got my daughters done at 3 months iv never had a problem .. try to keep them sanitised and u should be right .... i think every little girl wants them done at some point ... so y not get them done and grow with them ... they learn not to touch them and wil keep cleaner ....

Sherry - posted on 04/30/2011

I wanted to get my daughters ears pierced SOOO bad but I decided to wait because of teething. They tend to pull their ears a lot when they are teething and I just worried that she would pull them out!

Melissa - posted on 04/30/2011

Oh and take her to a store where they sterilize and know how to pierce .

Melissa - posted on 04/30/2011

MMM I would wait till she is a little bigger maybe 9 months .. My mom did it around that time .. and sure shell have tears or be a big girl but its quick an done and over with in no time . She will love it as she gets older . Just make sure they place it right !

Tina - posted on 04/30/2011

When my daughter was born I asked about getting her ears pierced and her doctor said to wait until she was 5m. She is almost 2 and has never played with them or pulled them out.

Natasha - posted on 04/29/2011

My mom waited until I was able to say that I wanted them, and I'm glad she did. I liked feeling like I was in control of my life somewhat, even though I was still pretty young. Because of that, I'm going to wait until my girls ask to have their ears pierced.

Rachel - posted on 04/29/2011

i had my daughters peirced at 4mo she is almost 2 now and we have never had any problems with her pulling on them or infection she has done really well when we had her done we they told me 4 mo is the youngest age they will peirce ears

Patti - posted on 04/29/2011

cracks me up when very young mothers believe they know so much yet they are on this board looking for answers. When you ask a question and get honest answers from people that's all it is, other opinions. You poke a hole in your ear, anywhere you pierce it, it may close to the point you can't get an earring through but there will be a mark, a hole, most call it a scar. Just the way skin is. Good Luck to all~

Emma - posted on 04/29/2011

would you get her a tattoo or prehaps breast implants or nose job? if your answer is no then most certaily not .it is purely cosmetic i took my daughter to have them donefor her 8th birthday and heir was a newborn being done infront of us hearing her scream i cried and my daughter decided she didnt want them done after all she has some beautiful magnetic studs she can wear wait till your child is old enough to decide if she wants to dececrate her own body

Danielle - posted on 04/29/2011

i can see the point of having it done as a baby; they wont remember the pain or the trouble of it. but, im real glad we never got my daughters done...she is 5 now, and plays with clip ons. in a few years we will get them pierced, if she is ready. at this point, i will not, and the reason im glad we didnt and wont right now is because my daughter cant stand to keep even a band-aid or a bracelet on, let alone a pair of earrings. and that first pair has to stay in for a long time. my child messes with stuff so much, i know that at night time or some time when she wasnt around me, she would be messing with the earrings something awful. like i said, i cant even get her to keep a band-aid on for more than maybe a half-hour at a time. the earrings would be a wasted battle, because eventually she would get too annoyed by them.

Sabrina - posted on 04/29/2011

i would wait and allow for your daughter to decide for herself if she wanted her ears pieced its her body after all.

Amanda - posted on 04/29/2011

i had mine done when i was really little and i wouldnt let my mom take care of them so she took them out and let them close til i decided at 11 to go get them done again...i waited til my daughter wanted them....she asked us for months for earrings cuz her older sisters (different mother) had them and she wanted them...i think its best to let them decide but that is my opinion :) you know you and will know your daughter best so its somehting you in the end will have to decide yourself :)

Veronique - posted on 04/29/2011

You can't do it till she's 3-4 months old. I have 2 girls almost 3 years old and 18 month old and i did not get there ears pierce because daddy was against it. He said we should not impose that on them, if when they're older they want to pierce the ears that's fine but we will not make that decision for them.

Tara - posted on 04/29/2011

Our daughter didn't get her ears pierced until she was 4 and that was after she had been talking about it. I know a lot of people get them done when they are like 3 months old (most places I know of won't do it any younger), but I have also heard that at such a young age, the earlobes could grow and stretch and makes the piercings look odd or uneven (just what I have heard). However, if you do get them pierced early, a baby will not be able to remove the earrings as long as you leave the earrings used to pierce the ears in.

Roxanne - posted on 04/28/2011

hi, my mum pierced my ears when i was born and they are now in slightly different parts of my lower ear because as i grew, the holes just shifted very slightly. this realy anoys me. my little sister on the other hand got hers pierced when she was 10 months old. we never had any problems with them. you can get them done at almost any pharmacy here in australia. anyway... hope that helps

Shannon - posted on 04/28/2011

Agree. I had mine pierced when I was probably 6 or 7 and though I haven't worn earrings in 17 years I have clearly visible scars on my ear lobes. The holes are closed, but you can plainly see where they were.
I have 2 daughters and have not had theirs pierced. As some others have said it is partly because it is their body, but also because there are possible complications from piercings. It doesnt always or even regularly happen, but I knew a girl in school who lost part of her earlobe to an infection from piercing. I just think it is easier to deal with the admittedly slim chance of complication when they are a bit older and have stronger immune systems.

Ashley - posted on 04/28/2011

I personally wouldn't pierce my daughter's ears. I know a lot of people that did pierce their babies' ears and I just don't see the point. It is only a vanity thing. It is almost like the baby's are dolls and the moms are just playing dress up.

With that said, I know that places around here don't want to pierce ears before the age of 6, but will after 6 months - given the baby has been vaccinated.

Jane - posted on 04/28/2011

I chose to wait until my daughter was both old enough to decide if she wanted it done and old enough to take care of the piercings so they wouldn't get infected.



On another note, I had my ears pierced twice as an adult and there was no pain involved at all. They used a topical anesthetic spray to numb my ear lobe and the next thing was that I heard a crunch, like eating celery. But there was no pain. I understand that if you pierce the cartilage of the ear it can be painful but I haven't undergone that so I don't know from my personal experience whether or not that is true.



Locally it is extremely common for little girls to have their ears pierced shortly after birth. Many folks have their pediatrician do it. You can also buy special "locking" earrings that are very difficult to lose.

Penny - posted on 04/28/2011

My daughter got hers done at the age of 10. She didn't cry at all and said it just felt like one of her brothers was pinching her. I can't tell you what you want to do for your daughter, all I know is that I've never second guessed my decision to wait. I got mine done around the same age. I don't remember actually having them done or caring for them imediately after, so obviously not a traumatic experience even at 10 or so. Of the 4 girls in my family only 3 have pierced ears. I'm not sure my sister who has choosen to not have her ears pierced would have ever forgiven my mother if she had it done when she was a baby.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/28/2011

Some drs also say boys don't feel the pain of circumcision. It's not true. Babies feel pain before they are born. Babies being aborted go into shock from the pain before they die.
They just can't tell you how much it hurts. And that's really sad.

Nicole - posted on 04/28/2011

I pierced both of my daughters ears between 2 and 3 months. I asked a lot of people what they thought about it too and was told by someone in the medical field that it actually hurts a lot less for them when they are that young as all of the nerve ends have not yet formed and connected in their ear lobes. I am not sure if it is true, but both my girls cried for maybe 30 seconds and then they were fine. We have never had any problems with them either. I always thought that if they had them that young them they would not play with them which is a big cause of them getting infected and elongated. They were so young, its like it was just part of them.

Louise - posted on 04/28/2011

This decision is down to each individual parent,personaly for myself my eldest daughter had hers done last year when she was 5,my hubby didnt want me to do it as he said she was still to young.I went ahead anyway and she looks lovely.The trouble is though she lost 4-5 pairs in the last month(studs) so i carnt stop wondering was she still to young? She asked me though so its different,where we live no one does kids ears untill the age of 8.I wouldnt have a babys ears done for the simple reason that there lying down constantly and could rub there ears to much in cot,pram,ect and cause infection more easier

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/28/2011

I would never risk my daughters health for cosmetic reasons. I would feel bad as a mom to pierce my girls ears because obviously it says that image is more important then safety.

Holes can be misaligned, they can rip the lobe, they can get infected. Etc.

It looks cute, sure. But no cuteness can over rule the fact that it's a unnecessary risk.



I agree,her body her choice. Holes are permanent. My mom had scars and little lumps in her earlobes from piercings that were twenty years old!

Beth - posted on 04/28/2011

Everyone, for the most part, has made valid points. I had my daughters ears pierced when she was 6 weeks old, then had a second piercing done when she was about 6 months old. I took her to a piercing place in our local mall, and they would not do it until she had the first vaccinations and we brought proof. I wanted to have her ears pierced while she was still a baby so it would be less painful and if it did hurt, she'd forget about it sooner. She cried a little bit during both sessions. I'm the one who cried like the baby. My daughter will be 6 years old in December, and she is still proudly displaying her double pierced ears. One way we kept her from messing with her earrings (which didn't start until she was over two), was to use the ones with the the hoop and ball. I don't know the correct term, but a lot of people wear them as cartilage piercings in the ears and nose. I, myself, have 4 piercings in each ear. Three in each lobe and a cartilage piercing at the top of each ear. I've also had my eyebrow and nose done, but had to lose those when I got my job. Anyway, excuse my rambling. I agree with anyone who wants to wait or go ahead and get it done. For those of you who want to talk down to others because of the choices they made/will make; when did their life become yours? Just because someone doesn't agree with YOUR opinion doesn't make them wrong. So, please don't frown on any mother who has made a decision "for" their daughter/s. It's one of the few things we can do while they're young THAT THEY CAN STILL CHANGE WHEN THEY GET OLDER!!! Thank you!

Melissa - posted on 04/28/2011

I used to be really against piercing baby's ears, but then I talked to a woman who actually explained her reasoning to me, and it really changed my mind.

1 - all of the women in her family had their ears pierced as infants, so she almost felt like it was something that was supposed to be done.
2 - as an infant, the cartilage in your ears isn't solidified, it's much softer, and the nerve endings haven't reached the earlobe, so it's nearly painless. much less painful that if it were to be done when she's older
3 - since she's an infant, a newborn, she's not going to be tugging on her ears yet. she can barely find them! it will be up to you to keep her ears clean as they heal (which only takes a couple of weeks)
4 - by the time she's old enough to lose her earings, the holes will be completely healed, so you won't have to worry about them closing up before you can get a replacement stud in there
5 - they make studs especially for babies with soft backing, so you don't have to worry about her rolling over and sticking herself with her own earring
6 - this one is a bit trivial, but you won't have to worry about anyone mistaking her for a boy!

ultimately the decision is yours, no one can tell you otherwise. i hope i was able to help a bit :0)

Cyndel - posted on 04/28/2011

Most hospitals will do it is if you want I believe, I would ask. As for infection...if you plan on breastfeeding this will be less of a problem as your daughter will be receiving antibodies from your breast milk. If you give formula she won't have as much protection from this. So that might also be a factor in your decision.
Personally I won't pierce the ears of any daughter I have until she asks because i don't want her to feel she has to be decorated to be beautiful. But that is a personal belief that is very important to me.

Lisa - posted on 04/28/2011

im sorry but ur baby ant even born yet and u want to pierce her ears that is ridiculous im sorry but that is my opinion, u should wait till she is old enough to decide for herself

Jade - posted on 04/28/2011

I am waiting for my daughter to be old enough to decide for herself if she wants them done. I know she loves to play with my big ear-rings now when I take them out but at 14 months I just don't think that she is old enough. I chose to have mine done and I personally think that's the best way for me and my daughter.

And to the person who said that piercings do close up, they don't always and they do leave scars too, I had my lip pierced and my belly button (as well as several in my ears) my lip still has the mark and my belly button is still partially open even though nothing has been worn in the piercing for 3 years. All but one of my ear piercings are still open and it only closed due to infection because of the metal used.

Nicole - posted on 04/28/2011

I would let her wait and let her make the choice. I did and my daughter told me she wanted them. I strongly believe that all children should have a choice on things like that. They will have to live with it the rest of there lives. If you so choose to pierce her ears though you will that to take her so a place where they pierce ears.

Melly - posted on 04/28/2011

Id be waiting to get my daughters done (if i have a daughter). I think it should be a personal choice to make, not just done because your parents want it done. For example, I love nose piercings, tattoo's, different coloured hair but I wouldnt get any of that done to my child.
Having said that, ultimately it is your decision, and if you end up going ahead, don't get it done with the piercing guns. There can be so many complications with them, the front of the earring can lodge in the ear, the back can be clamp on to tight, and as for anyone who suggests getting both ears pierced at the same time, that can cause a small child to go in to shock. Also as an infant has not fully grown, their ears as they grow will change, and you can end up with earrings no longer being aligned.

Tia - posted on 04/27/2011

I completely agree with the ladies who have said they waited or are waiting for them to make the choice. It is something that for me was a part of becoming a teenager at thirteen. I could never understand why my mom made me wait that long but since I have a daughter of my own now it makes alot more sense to have it done when they have made the decision for themselves and understand the new holes must be taken care of and cleaned.

Hannah - posted on 04/27/2011

and to the person that said get the babies ears pierced at a tattoo parlor...REALLY?!i dont know about that..i have tattoos and i looked and looked for a good place to get them done and every tattoo place i went to was no place for a newborn let alone a child.u can just take her to a mall, like someone else said, piercing pagoda.as long as its somewhere thats known for piercing and specializes in it.my sister in law got hers done at a piercing pagoda when she was a baby and they did just fine.

Jodi - posted on 04/27/2011

"Piercings do completely close up or I would have umpteen holes still in my body."



Actually, they don't always. AND they often leave small scars. I have some piercings in my ears that have never 100% closed over and can still be seen, and I haven't worn anything in them in probably 15 years or more..... So yeah, they could scar, or may not close over, you don't know.

Hannah - posted on 04/27/2011

i asked this same question to my facebook friends and the majority said go ahead with it.and i agree.im pregnant with my 2nd child, a girl this time,and im so excited to get her ears pierced!my mom of course disagrees and thinks i should wait til shes older and let her decide like she did with me.but everyone i know who had their ears pierced as a baby had no problems at all and those of my friends,including myself,who waited til we were older ALL had ear issues.mostly infections and having to get them repierced.ive had my ears pierced many times, 2 piercings in the lower ear and then i tried for the cartiledge(sp?) piercings a few times but FORGET that!i now have a big keloid on my upper right ear due to an infected piercing.so i say YES get her ears pierced while shes a baby.im waiting 2 or 3 months after my baby girls arrives to get hers done.they barely cry and itll heal before they even discover their ears.and of course they wont even remember it!good luck with ur decision =)

Lexi - posted on 04/27/2011

I had my ears pierced when I was 8 months old, it was done at a regular piercing place like the have at the mall. I don't remember it at all. That said my mom tells me she wishes she hadn't done it. I screamed and screamed and she felt horrible afterwards. If I have a daughter this time around I don't plan on piercing her ears. She can have the fun and excitement of getting it done later when/if she wants to. If I was going to do it when she was little I would at least wait until she was a few months old. Newborns have enough to deal with.

Jen - posted on 04/27/2011

What Julianne said and just to repeat it because I like it:

I would never permanently alter my childs body. She has the right to bodily integrity. It is not my place to decide, her body, her choice.

Brittany - posted on 04/27/2011

I would suggest waiting for her to choose. However if you really want to, you'll have to wait until she has a Tetanus shot and go to a tattoo place. I highly suggest NOT going to the mall. Piercing guns are horrible. It makes it faster, but it isn't as good for the earrings. Also make sure there is no nickel in the earrings, it can be a nasty allergy.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 04/27/2011

I wouldn't. I plan on letting my daughter decide. For one, it's her body. And two, she's got lots of growing to do. They may not stay even years down the road.

Alecia - posted on 04/27/2011

oh, and i took my daughter to Peircing Pagoda...ppl say have ur doctor do it, but i have NEVER heard of doctors doing it...ever. just dnt go to a Claire's store...go somewhere that thats what they do

Alecia - posted on 04/27/2011

my ped told me to wait a week after her 2 mnth vaccines, so thats when we did my daughters. she cried for less than a minute and was completely over it. they healed beautifully and even though at 19 mnths she knows they are there and loves getting new ones, she doesnt play with em. i think little is best. i have lots of earrings so it was a matter of time before my daughter wanted hers, and its soooo much easier when they are that small. but like i said, id give it a couple mnths

September - posted on 04/27/2011

Personally I would not but that's just my opinion. I would wait until she is old enough to tell you she wants them pierced.

Julianne - posted on 04/26/2011

I would never permanently alter my childs body. She has the right to bodily integrity. It is not my place to decide, her body, her choice.

Cassandra - posted on 04/26/2011

I would say after her vaccinations. If you choose to get them. I don't have a girl but thats what I would do.