When is it appropriate to pierce babies ears?

Andrea - posted on 08/31/2009

Quoting Keely:

Quoting Katie:

Quoting Katie:

I was a body piercer for years, and while I'm sure there is going to be a hot debate about this, I would tell you and everyone else here to never let anyone near you or your child with a piercing gun. Here's why:
Having a piercing done with a needle may be scarier, but it is way more sterile. Virtually all piercing guns are not autoclaved (sterilized) and the user relies on removable plastic pieces between customers to "make them sterile." As you can imagine, this doesn't sterilize the whole gun, it only changes out the piece holding the earing. Remember, the gun works on impact, so fluids can be splattered or leaked onto different surfaces and parts of the gun. There are some people that keloid (scar) very easily and the high impact of the gun can trigger that. I once had a customer that brought me her little girl because the gun that was used on her shot the earings half way into her little ears. They were very swollen and the mom did not want to put her daughter through that again. She also however did not want to lose the piercings since they were already done. I took them out, cleaned the holes, and put in CBR's (closed hoops). They ended up healing fine after that.
Also, make sure you go to a good shop that uses an autoclave on all of their materials. Make sure everything that will be used is brand new, and the shop is clean. The piercer should also make a mark as to where he/she will pierce and have you okay it. The metals used for jewelry should be surgical grade or higher.
No shop that I've ever worked in, or been a customer of, will use a gun even if you ask.
I hope I was of some help. I know it wasn't exactly the question asked, I more posted this for all replies I saw talking about piercing guns.
As a side note, if you are set on doing it with a piercing gun, there are places that sell them for this very reason. They are one time use guns.
I will stop my ramble here, or I could go on and on. Lol.

I should probably mention that when I say "shop" I mean a professional body art shop. Not a mall store. In a good body art shop (tattoo and piercing studio if you like), the piercer will have trained to do what they do. In a mall store they just get a quick explanation. Please do your research whenever you are having something done for you, or something for your child. Go to a good clean shop with a good reputation. Not a mall store.

RIGHT ON.

SO RIGHT ON!!!  

Kristine - posted on 08/31/2009

i was told by the pediatrician u can do them as young as after her first shots

Wendy - posted on 08/31/2009

i have two daughters of my own and two step daughters, my daughters are 7 years and almost a year (one year on sept 6), my step daughters are 9,7, and 6. well all of my step daughters have gotten their ears pierced when they were babies, and have not had any problems out of them acording to their mothers and my boyfriend(their father), my two girls dont have their ears pierced, the reason behind this is; my oldest her father wouldnt let me when she was a baby and i didnt think that at the ages of 2-5 she would do well with this, she is now begging me to get them done and i have agreed, her father and i havent spoke on this but to me she isnt a baby anymore and that is why he didnt want them done to start with, so i have promised her that when me and my boyfriend take her baby sister, the almost one yr old, to get hers done she can do hers the same day!!! we plan on doing the babys at one!!! Just one of her many bday presents, but now after reading all of these posts, im not sure where to take them to get them done, something im going to have to look into further, but if you want to do it do it dont let anyone stop you!!! i waited on my own ears til i was ten had an alergic reaction to the posts that was put in my ears and they got infected and had to be taken out, didnt get them repierced again til i was 24, i wish my mom had done mine when i was a baby or smaller, i really wish i didnt have to wait til i was grown to get them, make sure if you get them its not going to be something she is going to be alergic to, hope this was helpful,

Christina - posted on 08/31/2009

we took our daughters when they were each about 6mos old. we just gave them some tylenol before to help with the pain. good luck!! :)

Bonnie - posted on 08/31/2009

I Hear you all saying the doc said it was ok and by the time they are older they dont even notice them. that is the point, shouldnt it be wonderful and exciting to get your ears peirced, i know when mine were done on my 9th b'day it was so exciting. i couldnt wait to buy some beautiful new ear ring and try them on.

what is the point of having them done if the child doesnt even notice.

It's vain parents who want them, and as i said before it looks horrible.....

Sabrina - posted on 08/31/2009

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM .. I REALLY WANTED TO PIERCE HER EARS BUT HE SAYS WHEN SHES OLD ENOUGH TO ASK.........BUT I THINK AROUND NINE MONTHS IS SAFEST FROM WHAT I KNOW IN THE CENTERS I WORKED IN.....

Lauren - posted on 08/31/2009

I had my ears pierced when I was four months old and I'm really glad my parents did it. I have a daughter now and got them done when she was 11 months old because she has no hair and everyone calls her a little boy. If I ever have another girl I will definitely get them done and I will probably get them done earlier than 11 months. I know a few different people that allowed their daughters to get them done when they were older and they got one done and wouldn't get the other one done because it pinched. So they walked around with one earring for quite a while. They did both of my daughters ears at the same time and she cried for maybe 10 seconds. She cries for much longer with her shots at the doctors.

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2009

I got my ears pierce when i was one, and my daughters when she was 3 months. They worse part was trying to get her to sit still while they marked her ears. otherwise she didnt cry, only a small eh and that was all. If your daughter decides she doesnt want her ears pierced when she gets older then she can take them out. Also to think that a baby looks trashy when they have pierced ears is a horrible thing to say! As for getting a baby tatooed lets think a little bit and not make such ridiculous comments.

Rebecca - posted on 08/31/2009

I believe when they ask for it to get done personally. I don't really agreed with piercing baby's ears but to each their own I guess.

Jessica - posted on 08/31/2009

I would wait till shes old enough to ask for them. Im pregnant now with a girl and i personally wouldnt do it untill she asked for them. Only because ive seen several infants get their ears peirced where i work and it breaks my heart just about everytime...but im a softy!

Keely - posted on 08/31/2009

Quoting Katie:

Quoting Katie:

I was a body piercer for years, and while I'm sure there is going to be a hot debate about this, I would tell you and everyone else here to never let anyone near you or your child with a piercing gun. Here's why:
Having a piercing done with a needle may be scarier, but it is way more sterile. Virtually all piercing guns are not autoclaved (sterilized) and the user relies on removable plastic pieces between customers to "make them sterile." As you can imagine, this doesn't sterilize the whole gun, it only changes out the piece holding the earing. Remember, the gun works on impact, so fluids can be splattered or leaked onto different surfaces and parts of the gun. There are some people that keloid (scar) very easily and the high impact of the gun can trigger that. I once had a customer that brought me her little girl because the gun that was used on her shot the earings half way into her little ears. They were very swollen and the mom did not want to put her daughter through that again. She also however did not want to lose the piercings since they were already done. I took them out, cleaned the holes, and put in CBR's (closed hoops). They ended up healing fine after that.
Also, make sure you go to a good shop that uses an autoclave on all of their materials. Make sure everything that will be used is brand new, and the shop is clean. The piercer should also make a mark as to where he/she will pierce and have you okay it. The metals used for jewelry should be surgical grade or higher.
No shop that I've ever worked in, or been a customer of, will use a gun even if you ask.
I hope I was of some help. I know it wasn't exactly the question asked, I more posted this for all replies I saw talking about piercing guns.
As a side note, if you are set on doing it with a piercing gun, there are places that sell them for this very reason. They are one time use guns.
I will stop my ramble here, or I could go on and on. Lol.

I should probably mention that when I say "shop" I mean a professional body art shop. Not a mall store. In a good body art shop (tattoo and piercing studio if you like), the piercer will have trained to do what they do. In a mall store they just get a quick explanation. Please do your research whenever you are having something done for you, or something for your child. Go to a good clean shop with a good reputation. Not a mall store.

RIGHT ON.

Keely - posted on 08/31/2009

Quoting Liz:

I also pierced for a long time and the best time is definatly 6 - 9 mnths. I would recommend getting topical cream from a pharmacy that temp numbs an area and put that on her ears. And then once she is alseep for nap time come in. Even if she wakes up halfway through its totally better this way. If you dont handle her immunizations really well, I would bring someone with you.

Keep in mind, the piercing isnt what hurts, the sound of the gun scares them. And I would go to someone that uses a piercing gun, using a needle on a baby is WAY to unpredictable beause they cant control their movements (according to our instructions).

Also after you get her ears pierced, dont put hoops in for at least three months - the hoops can change the shape of the hole and curve it down, meaning its really hard to put in post earrings.

"Piercing guns" are outlawed in most professional piercing studios... they're impossible to keep sterile.  Do you really want something like that touching your child?  Infections that occur can be so horrid, reconstructive surgery is sometimes necessary.  If it's too risky to use a needle in a professional studio (although, there are REASONS why studios have a minimum age limit, normally 16-18), then wait until the child is older.

Lisa - posted on 08/31/2009

I was wondering the same question. I know I had my ears pierced when I was a baby and there was no problem. I have a 2 month old baby girl right now and I think I'm going to wait till she is 6 moths old to get it done.

Christina - posted on 08/31/2009

Quoting Bonnie:

I believe that it should be a choice that the child makes when they are ready, I have 3 girls and I will make it a birthday present when they ask for it.
I think a baby with ear rings looks cheap and kind of trashy

I think you are exactly right, why would you put your poor little baby through the pain and then the trouble of trying to keep them clean?!? it should be a personal choice when she is old enough to take care of them herself if/when she wants them.

Valerie - posted on 08/31/2009

i had my daughter's done when she was 5 months old

Kaylene - posted on 08/31/2009

I just let my daughter get her ears pierced at age 3 I dedcided it would be better when she could ask for them and take care of them on her own and so far she's done really well with it and is very proud of them.

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2009

i say when they ask. i have heard babies getting their eas peirced and it broke my heart. no way would i do it to my baby.

Melissa - posted on 08/31/2009

When? When she asks for them. I don't agree with piercing a baby's ears. It's unnecessary. It does no good for the child.



And like Katie said, guns suck!

Kylie - posted on 08/31/2009

i would like to say thnks to Katie , for putting that information up it is nice to see you stayed on topic and didn't feel the need to attack anyone else instead you gave kristen some very important things to know IF she decides to pierce her little girls ears no matter what age she does it....THANKYOU

Katie - posted on 08/31/2009

Quoting Katie:

I was a body piercer for years, and while I'm sure there is going to be a hot debate about this, I would tell you and everyone else here to never let anyone near you or your child with a piercing gun. Here's why:
Having a piercing done with a needle may be scarier, but it is way more sterile. Virtually all piercing guns are not autoclaved (sterilized) and the user relies on removable plastic pieces between customers to "make them sterile." As you can imagine, this doesn't sterilize the whole gun, it only changes out the piece holding the earing. Remember, the gun works on impact, so fluids can be splattered or leaked onto different surfaces and parts of the gun. There are some people that keloid (scar) very easily and the high impact of the gun can trigger that. I once had a customer that brought me her little girl because the gun that was used on her shot the earings half way into her little ears. They were very swollen and the mom did not want to put her daughter through that again. She also however did not want to lose the piercings since they were already done. I took them out, cleaned the holes, and put in CBR's (closed hoops). They ended up healing fine after that.
Also, make sure you go to a good shop that uses an autoclave on all of their materials. Make sure everything that will be used is brand new, and the shop is clean. The piercer should also make a mark as to where he/she will pierce and have you okay it. The metals used for jewelry should be surgical grade or higher.
No shop that I've ever worked in, or been a customer of, will use a gun even if you ask.
I hope I was of some help. I know it wasn't exactly the question asked, I more posted this for all replies I saw talking about piercing guns.
As a side note, if you are set on doing it with a piercing gun, there are places that sell them for this very reason. They are one time use guns.
I will stop my ramble here, or I could go on and on. Lol.

I should probably mention that when I say "shop" I mean a professional body art shop. Not a mall store. In a good body art shop (tattoo and piercing studio if you like), the piercer will have trained to do what they do. In a mall store they just get a quick explanation. Please do your research whenever you are having something done for you, or something for your child. Go to a good clean shop with a good reputation. Not a mall store.

Katie - posted on 08/31/2009

I was a body piercer for years, and while I'm sure there is going to be a hot debate about this, I would tell you and everyone else here to never let anyone near you or your child with a piercing gun. Here's why:

Having a piercing done with a needle may be scarier, but it is way more sterile. Virtually all piercing guns are not autoclaved (sterilized) and the user relies on removable plastic pieces between customers to "make them sterile." As you can imagine, this doesn't sterilize the whole gun, it only changes out the piece holding the earing. Remember, the gun works on impact, so fluids can be splattered or leaked onto different surfaces and parts of the gun. There are some people that keloid (scar) very easily and the high impact of the gun can trigger that. I once had a customer that brought me her little girl because the gun that was used on her shot the earings half way into her little ears. They were very swollen and the mom did not want to put her daughter through that again. She also however did not want to lose the piercings since they were already done. I took them out, cleaned the holes, and put in CBR's (closed hoops). They ended up healing fine after that.

Also, make sure you go to a good shop that uses an autoclave on all of their materials. Make sure everything that will be used is brand new, and the shop is clean. The piercer should also make a mark as to where he/she will pierce and have you okay it. The metals used for jewelry should be surgical grade or higher.

No shop that I've ever worked in, or been a customer of, will use a gun even if you ask.

I hope I was of some help. I know it wasn't exactly the question asked, I more posted this for all replies I saw talking about piercing guns.

As a side note, if you are set on doing it with a piercing gun, there are places that sell them for this very reason. They are one time use guns.

I will stop my ramble here, or I could go on and on. Lol.

Katherine - posted on 08/31/2009

i pierced my little girls ears at 2 months and she has had no problems with them she is 19 months knw

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2009

When she's old enough to ask for them, and at an age where a professional body piercer will pierce her ears... guns are BAD news!

Rachel - posted on 08/31/2009

I got my daughter's ear pierced when she was 3 months and I am glad. She looks adorable with them and we have had no problem. If its something you really want to do then do it, I had to wait until i was six and that was cool but with my baby it was my choice.

Tamara - posted on 08/31/2009

I recently asked that very same question to an employee at Ardenes in the mall and she said the earliest they do it is 3 months and the baby has to have had her first vaccines.

Keeping that in mind I am assuming that would be the best time, due to age and the piercers willingness to do it, I think the sooner the better, so they don't remember, I had mine done at age 5, thats was some time ago, I still remember.

Christie - posted on 08/31/2009

We had our little ones ears pierced when she was about 4 mos old. She did great! She cried b/c I had to hold her still but as soon as I let her head go she was fine. And she healed so wonderfully b/c she was still pumped full of good nutrients from breast milk and it was easy to keep them cleaned.

But more than anything else you have to make sure that YOU are ready. You should never feel pressured to do it b/c others think you should and just the same... you shouldn't feel like a bad mother b/c you want to do it but others think it horrible to do such a thing (blah blah blah) You have to listen to your own heart and do what you feel is best for you and your little princess.

Best of luck with your decision,

Christie Archer

Anna - posted on 08/31/2009

To be honest, I think it is quite cruel to pierce your baby's ears. It is painful, they could get infected, earrings wouldn't be comfortable for her to sleep in, and I really think it should be her own choice if she wants to do it when she's old enough. Most professionals where I live refuse to do it on a child younger than 10 now.

Zulma - posted on 08/31/2009

The smaller the better ;)

Minnie - posted on 08/31/2009

Quoting Roxanne:

After they have had their shots and your Dr says its okay. My mom did mine when I was a baby...glad she did. When I was older it was my decision to get a 2nd hole. Most girls want their ears pierced..esp as adults so I dont see the big deal.

If it was such a bad forbidden thing to do they would Ban it! Come on people get over it! LoL It cant be any worse then the Dr's jamming those huge needle/shots in their theighs!

Mmm....no....there's lots of things out there that aren't good in one way or another and yet we continue to tolerate and support them.

Concerning needles- immunizations have a purpose, save lives.  What do the little bits of metal in baby's ears do?  Enable mom to accessorize her dollie?

Joanne - posted on 08/31/2009

I work in a shop, and I am trained to piece babies ears. We pierce from 4 months old, and personally I think that it is too young to do so. From that young they dont know to sit still so they can be done right, and if they move even the slightest bit they can end up with wonky earrings. Also they dont know that they ahouldnt touch them when they have been pierced, which can lead to an infection, so are always trying to pull them out, as they dont know any better. Of course its totally upto you and sometimes babies that young are ok.

Gianna - posted on 08/31/2009

i pierced my daughters ears when she was just 2 weeks old, its best for them as they wont remeber pain . i think the sooner the better :)

Jaclyn - posted on 08/31/2009

i think you should do the piercings while you baby is still young, because if you do it, say when she is 2-3 yrs old she is going to want to mess with them and they might get infected. but if you do it now she will be used to them by the time she is 2-3 yrs old and won't mess with them unless she wants or you want to change them.

Shelly - posted on 08/31/2009

My personal opinion is you shouldn't get your daughters ears pierced until she is old enough to ask to have her ears pierced.



While I think those tiny little earrings are darling, I worry more about the risk involved with infants and earrings. Young children have been know to choke on earrings; aspirate them and even pull the studs through the hole to the point where they must be surgically removed.

Chrystal - posted on 08/31/2009

I had my daughters ears pierced at 3 months. That way she would be used to them when she got older and wouldnt mess w//them. It worked great that way. As far as she remembers they have always been there and doesnt think anything of it.

Roxanne - posted on 08/31/2009

After they have had their shots and your Dr says its okay. My mom did mine when I was a baby...glad she did. When I was older it was my decision to get a 2nd hole. Most girls want their ears pierced..esp as adults so I dont see the big deal.



If it was such a bad forbidden thing to do they would Ban it! Come on people get over it! LoL It cant be any worse then the Dr's jamming those huge needle/shots in their theighs!

Minnie - posted on 08/31/2009

I don't like to use appropriate and piercing baby's ears in the same sentence.



Our daughters may have their ears pierced when they ask for it and are prepared to care for them.



I don't punch holes in unconsenting people's bodies for vanity's sake.

Angel - posted on 08/31/2009

I used to pierce ears for a living a few years back and have a 3 year old daughter of my own. The place I worked at I had regular customers so I would see them before I pierced their ears and months to years after I had pierced their ears and every parent of an older child says they wish they would have done it when their child was 3months or older instead of waiting because they discovered the earrings and would take them out and all that. With my daughter I had hers done at 3months. She had no idea they were there and now being 3 years old she is so used to having them in and being changed and cleaned that she feels its part of her. If you are gonna do it do it before she is 1 year old. After that its really hard to get them done because you cant get both ears at once til they are like 4 and at 1 its still easy to console them so you can get the other ear done within minutes of the first. Well with whatever you choose to do good luck and make sure you go somewhere professional. I do recommend all Claire's or Icing stores that are located in mails and they have to be trained and all that before set free to pierce. People at Wal-Mart stores are not trained and Piercing Pagodo is okay as well. Oh and if you do it when she is still young make sure you give her some tylenol or something similar at least an hour before so it will help with the pain. Best wishes to you and yours on this venture.

Kelsey - posted on 08/31/2009

If you do it at about four months there are a lot of pluses...Your daughter will not remember the pain-if you put a lolipop or some kind of baby snack in her mouth durning the process she may not even cry! It is up to you, if shes going to do it eventually you might as well just do it!-if you do bring a sucker-one of those small lolipops or some treat-i do reccomend waiting until 6 months though when she is starting solids.

Jennifer - posted on 08/31/2009

We waited until our girls were old enough to decide whether they wanted them done or not. Both our girls got their ears pierced for their 3rd birthdays after explaining to them that it would hurt and that they would have to be taken care of. They understood and they sat nicely to have them cleaned and changed and now they love all the different styles they can wear. Obviously it's up to you, I think that getting them pierced when they are babies is more for the parents than the child.

Michelle - posted on 08/31/2009

I don't plan to get my daughter's done unless she asks for them. My parents waited and let me decide if it's something I wanted. I have also been told (I don't know how true it is) that in some places they class it as child abuse to do it before the child can decide (something to do with inflicting unnecessary pain on a child). Again I’m not sure how true that it, but I do kind of understand where that would come from. It’s a personal choice at the end of the day and you will decide what to do with your daughter ears.

Megan - posted on 08/31/2009

i had my daughters done when she was 4 months, have not had a problem she cried when it was first done, but i have not had any problems with it.

Hannah - posted on 08/31/2009

I had my daughter's ears done at 3 months. And by 7 months, I had to take them out. They never healed, and just got worse and worse, and very infected. I cleaned them every day, like the Doctor said, but still they just would not heal. So out they went, hopefully it doesn't leave a scar. Seems like every one else has had good experience with it though. I will let her decide when she's older if she wants them done.

Ashley - posted on 08/31/2009

My dr reccommened that they get their second round of shots then its safer.. I got my daughters done at 3 months and she did awesome. She barely cried and now she is 4 and has never messed with them. She loves having earrings!! I do highly reccommened to do them both at the same time. Thats what we did and it made it so easy. Walmart is where we went and id ask to make sure there are two ppl that can do it. I gave her some tylenol b4 too just in case!

Kimberly - posted on 08/31/2009

I used to work at claires and pierced baby's ears all the time, 3 months is probably the earliest you can get it done. Its quick and easy when there little.

KRisTIne - posted on 08/31/2009

My baby girl had her ear pierce when she was 3 mos. old..The piercing was done in a hospital..Its better to pierce a baby when they are still 3-4 mos old because the skin or tissues are still soft..Just clean it with 70% alcohol daily...

Louise - posted on 08/31/2009

We got our baby done at five and a half months (she is almost ten months now) and have had no problems at all, she cried alot more when she had her needles! I think it looks really cute and after having two boys i couldn't wait to get them done!!!

Jessica - posted on 08/31/2009

i pierced my daughters ears at 10 months

Jessica - posted on 08/31/2009

i got my daughters priced at 3 months n i am glad because now she dosent even notice there there n dosnt pull at them and she is 18mnths now

Kristy - posted on 08/31/2009

Do you really want to put your baby in pain just for looks????

a baby fells pain!!!

Rachael - posted on 08/31/2009

I think that it is totally up to the parents but then i also think that you should wait until they actually start to pester you for it to be done. What if when they are older they turn around and say why did you do that, i don't like it?????
You don't go and get their tongues pierced when they are little...so why should ears be any different?
But thats my opinion.