The baby/toddler ear piercing debate

I'm in the 'dont get it done until they are old enough to ask 5 times' camp...

I wont get my DD's ears pierced just because its cute, I got mine done when I was 6 and my grandmother took me to get them done, much to my mothers disgust (she had said no already) but I was able to look after my ear piercings by that age

I say 5 times rather than just once, as a little girl might see a friend with earrings and ask as a spur of the moment thing, but after 5 (on seperate occaions!) times then its obviously something thats being thought about.

I don't like it on really little kids, think it looks wrong and it just for the parents.

I don't wear earring either but have both ears pierced twice.

I personally don't care what someone else does with their child in terms of ear piercing. In some cultures and religions it is done for very special and symbolic meaning. Having studied Anthropology.

Anyway, if DD wants them done then that will be fine but I wouldn't look at getting them done until she was about 10.

My ears did get infected but I couldn't stop touching mine and it was a result of a ear piercing gun and the earring being put on far too tight that they couldn't even get the butterfly off the back at the doctors!
I found they also got infected a lot having to take them out for sport or if I wore cheap and nasty earrings.

caliandjack wrote: Really ear piercing if a parent wants to then why not?

Why not?

Among other reasons:
Because it hurts.
Because it can get infected.
Because babies and toddlers can rub their ears causing the earrings to fall out. The loose earring can go into their ear canal and potentially pierce their ear drum or fall outside the ear and become a swallowing hazard (normally not such a problem with something so small except earrings tend to have nasty pins on the that can do all sorts of damage).
Because babies and toddlers crawl and run about the place, fall off things, engage in rough play - all of which could potentially rip the earring from the lobe.

I hope those that get their babies done at least wait until they have had all of their tetanus shots

I'm not sure at what age I'd allow my kids to get earrings. My parents had a rule that if you wanted your ears pierced you could get them done at your 10th birthday or if you really wanted them before that, you had to save up and pay for them to be done yourself. I kind of like that rule because it meant you had to be really committed to getting them - it wasn't just a spontaneous thing.

caliandjack wrote: Curious though would you let your boys get their ears pierced?

Yes, I would let my boys get theirs done (at an appropriate age, not sure what that is yet) if they wanted them. I don't see why it would be any different for boys - but that's a whole 'nother debate I guess

Edited by Delli

Not to mention earrings are shiny and to another kid... HELLO!

Anyway, yup boys get theirs done!

I think it's pretty unnecessary for very young children. We'll only cross that road once my girl is a) old enough to really want pierced ears, b) she is able to understand that it will hurt, and c) she understands that she needs to look after the piercings.

If I had a boy, I would let him have his ears pierced, but the same conditions apply.

I just don't really see the point of inflicting unnecessary pain on a baby just to make them look "pretty" or whatever. That decision will lie with my child. I hardly ever wear earrings myself, so it's not an important thing to me at all!

I personally don't like the look of it on babies. I would prefer to wait until she is completely capable of looking after them herself, I had mine done around 11 and think that is a good age. Things change tho so who knows how I'll feel about it in 5, 10 or even 15 years from now. I also don't feel it's my place to judge when people get their babies/kids ears pierced, we all have our own opinions and it sucks when someone else judges your parenting techniques or offers unwanted 'advice'

Alia has asked a few times, but we've compromised on an age, me 16 her 8 LOL

I am not in favour of them until she's old enough to not be at risk of them ripping out of her ears, she does ballet & Gym which would be fine but she also wants to play netball & she plays touch so those are too contact for my liking to have ears pierced just yet.

I don't care what others do & think that babies look ridiculous but do think that getting done really really young is actually better than when they are 1 or 2 cause then they are so used to them so don't play with them as such.

I'd let DS get his ear pierced but i wouldnt do it for him. I know people who had their ears done as toddlers and never like to wear earings but always have the hole/scar and are self concious about it. For my imaginary daughter, i'd say not until she's old enough to take them in and out by herself so she can take them out to play netball etc and put them back in later. Probably also wait til she asks then make her wait at least a year, holding it over her head going if you get a good report, then we'll get them done. No wait! Two good reports and you keeping your room tidy for a month. No wait! All of that AND being nice to your brother until she nags so much i give in. Like my mom did

I thimk itlooks cheap and tacky on little babies. I don't accept religion as an excuse either. Really what religion requires you to subject your child to pain ? Its not like an 18 month old is able to make that decision.   

I judge the parents of babies with pierced ears too. I think deep down we all do, just not everyone will admit it.   It is after all human nature to judge others decisions /actions. And I agree with Mama T, I don't seeear piercing as a parenting technique.

If ddever wants them done it will be at an age she can look after them herself. Probably 10 +.

I really just can't comprehend people hurting their babies so thy look " pretty"