CanadianBride.com Talkboards / CanadianBride.com Talkboard / Family Planning / Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done? / Latest Posts

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

igottajlo — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:36:57 GMT

We've decided not to pierce Rachael's ears. She may be our baby but they aren't our ears. What if she doesn't want them pierced when she's older? Yes, she could take them out but I'd rather allow her to choose if she would like to have them pierced.

It's not for us! But I can see why some parents choose to have it done early.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

AmieL — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:12:32 GMT

I think it is completely unnecessary to have a baby's ears pierced. They are cute enough as it is, without earrings.

Earrings or no earrings should be a choice made by the child when they are old enough to decide. I got my ears pierced as a birthday present when I was 10, and I would have done something similar with a daughter if I were having one (but I'm having another boy instead!).

Of course, I am also bothered when I see little babies or toddlers with older hairstyles, like mohawks, or spikes...or HIGHLIGHTS for goodness sake! I don't get it...the beauty of children is their naturalness..(I know that's not a word, but I'm making it up for my own use). Children should be able to be their beautiful, natural selves for as long as possible!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

Kat33 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:20:38 GMT

Personally, if DH and I will have a girl, I would like to give her the choice of whether she wants her ears pierced, so I'd wait. I waited until I was 12 or 13 to get my ears pierced and my sister was 5 at the time, so when I went, my sister told my mom she also wanted hers pierced. :)

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

amanda222 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:01:02 GMT

I remember asking for mine when I was 5 or 6, and it made me feel very grown-up to have it done. I can see why some people might want to do it early (we have friends who got sick of being asked how old thier baby "boy" was, and that stopped when they got her ears pierced), but it's an experience I'd rather my daughter choose and remember.

I actually ended up having to have mine done a total of three times before I was 7 or 8 - the first time they screwed up and did them too low, so the studs pulled the holes down and I had to let them heal over. The second time I left earrings out for too long, and they healed over on their own. Even though it wasn't perfect, it taught me a bit about taking responsibility for my own body - especially as far as cleaning them, etc.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

snowydi — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:42:09 GMT

I didn't get my ears done until I was 11 I think and wished my parents did it sooner I was always called a little boy....grrrr. I have decided thou that if I do have alittle girl I would like her ears done when she's at least 1. Good to know about the gun....never thought about that before.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

rdobina — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:07:46 GMT

[quote][b]marchbride (7/7/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]rdobina (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]I think this is adorable on little girls, but think I would ultimately wait (probably because DH would make me!). I had mine at about age 6, and was SO excited!

I do have a comment to make though! Please DO NOT take your kids to get their ears pierced with guns at little mall shops. I know it may feel weird, but take them to a good, reputable piercing studio. EVerything at a professional studio is clean and incredbly sterile. Piercing guns are disgusting, and since they are made of plastic, they can not be properly sterlized! Moreover, the healing process is WAY longer with gun piercings. The gun SLAMS the skin together creating tissue damage, which really extends the healing process and is way more initially painful! Studios use appropriately sized needles which slide easily through, creating a nice, clean, easy to take for percing! I have seen little girls at professional studios, and they have a great time! Every city should have at least a few wonderful body art studios to go to.[/quote]

I absolutely 100% agree. I'm an apprentice piercer and can tell you that the guns really are not a good idea. You may pay less because you're not paying for a professional but they can not be properly autoclaved (cleaned) at all. Staff is rarely properly trained. The jewellery they use is blunt ended. The back of the earring is literally forced through the skin. There are cases of the post actually turning up inside of the earlobe (vertically) and then it has to be removed by a dr. I know there are many people who have successful piercings with guns but it's not a risk I would take personally - especially with an infant.

My vote is for waiting for her to ask for it herself. I had mine done when I was 7 and it was something I really wanted. My mom did my sister's when she was a baby and she's never worn earrings (after she was 8 or 9) because she doesn't like them.[/quote]

Thanks for adding such great points!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

marchbride — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:40:27 GMT

[quote][b]rdobina (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]I think this is adorable on little girls, but think I would ultimately wait (probably because DH would make me!). I had mine at about age 6, and was SO excited!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

XoXo — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:32:06 GMT

I am definitely not trying to offend anyone, but in my opinion, I really don't think it looks good when little baby girls have their ears pierced... I just don't think such tiny ears need jewelry. I personally would not pierce my baby's ears. I would wait until she is old enough to make her own decision. What if she doesn't want earrings when she is older? I plan to wait until my daughter can make the decision for herself and take care of them herself.

I got mine done when I was... 8 or 9? My mom said that if I passed all of my grade that I could get them pierced. It was great incentive because I wanted it done so badly as a kid.

Good luck with your decision :).

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

p0pc0rn — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:07:34 GMT

I got my ears pierced when I was 10 and it took me a long time to decide. All of my friends had pierced ears but I never really understood the fun in it. Now I love being able to wear earings and changing them (plus trying to find clip on earrings is hard now a days). If/when we have a daughter I would like to give her the option of having her ears pierced like my parents gave me.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

Nik82 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:48:52 GMT

I got my ears pierced when I was 6 or 7. I think I must have asked for them, and my godmother took my for my birthday. I don't remember the actual piercing itself, but I can tell you that my ears got infected afterwards, and it took 4 people to hold me down so they could clean them. Very traumatic! Thanks for asking the question though, it was yet another aspect I hadn't thought of yet.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

NatalieP — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:15:50 GMT

[quote][b]robandhil (7/7/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]rdobina (7/7/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]NatalieP (7/7/2008)[/b][hr]DH and I agree, that if we have a daughter, she will get them as an infant. We think baby girls look so pretty/cute with them.
And we will have them done with needles and freezing at a professional place (not something like Claire's).[/quote]

That's great! I'm glad to hear more people are willing to do this! Just a head's up though - a good professional piercer will not use any freezing agent. They MAY for a baby's lobes, but it's a pretty strong rule not to use anything to numb the area![/quote]

if the piercer doesnt use anything to numb just go to shoppers or where ever and buy it yourself..[/quote]

Oh, that is good to know. Thanks.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

montana007 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:13:14 GMT

I took my daughter to get her ears pierced when she was 7 weeks old. I did this cause my dr. told me the nerve endings in their ears are not as sensitive as ours, she wont play with them they wont get infected, they are basically always a part of her. And it worked! She did not cry when she got them done, she has never had an infecton, and has never pulled at them and she is 6 now!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

robandhil — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:53:55 GMT

[quote][b]rdobina (7/7/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]NatalieP (7/7/2008)[/b][hr]DH and I agree, that if we have a daughter, she will get them as an infant. We think baby girls look so pretty/cute with them.
And we will have them done with needles and freezing at a professional place (not something like Claire's).[/quote]

if the piercer doesnt use anything to numb just go to shoppers or where ever and buy it yourself..

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

rdobina — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:57:40 GMT

[quote][b]NatalieP (7/7/2008)[/b][hr]DH and I agree, that if we have a daughter, she will get them as an infant. We think baby girls look so pretty/cute with them.
And we will have them done with needles and freezing at a professional place (not something like Claire's).[/quote]

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

NatalieP — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:03:08 GMT

DH and I agree, that if we have a daughter, she will get them as an infant. We think baby girls look so pretty/cute with them.
And we will have them done with needles and freezing at a professional place (not something like Claire's).

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

kiwi25 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:30:31 GMT

I personally would wait until she's old enough to decide for herself. I got mine done when I was 12 or 13...after asking several times, lol. My mom and I went out after my volleyball team won our tournament - kind of like a little celebration thing. It somehow made me feel "grown up" at the time :)

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

Beltsie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:26:49 GMT

My mom was dead set against peircing our ears as babies. We were told when we reached age 12, we could get them done, so that we would be the ones to take care of them. My sisters and I had them done when we were 11, early as a reward for an achievemnt. (I think for me it was a certain grade on my piano exam).

Personally, I will wait with any daughter I have. Maybe not until 12, but at least until she's older and can decide if she wants them.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

July7Bride — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:33:10 GMT

I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 6 yrs old when I asked my parents. It turned out that I was allergic to the cheaper earrings, and was only able to wear gold earrings (otherwise my ears would swell). Anyway I don't wear earrings now and I think I stopped wearing them around 12 yrs old due to having so many problems with the earrings.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

pook2355 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:23:20 GMT

My parents did not do mine as a child and I'm glad. I'm now 24 and still don't have them pierced. Personally, I do not like earrings so it worked out for me!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

robandhil — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:21:19 GMT

We had lilys done when she was 3 month old.. we used the topical freezing and she didnt cry one bit she actually giggled and laughed the whole time..

I say get them done when they are young if they dont like them when they are older they can take them out..

we had no problems.. she didnt get infected and everything was fine..

but do what you wish just use my advise no matter what the age use the topical freezing its worth no crying IMO

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

navywife2b — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:04:57 GMT

I will definitely be waiting until Kate is old enough to ask me to take her. I am not a fan of the look of earings on babies and what if she doesnt want earings when she is older? I dont think I should make a decision like that for her, its her body and her ears that she has to live with...plus I hate taking her for shots knowing that it causes pain, so i couldnt imagine putting her through this, even knowing she is young and will forget about it.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

smurf993 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:30:31 GMT

I had mine done as a baby and it was all good. I could have let them grow over if i didn't want them later in life. However, i can tell you that if i had gotten them when I was a say 5-10 years old... they would have gotten one ear, but i would have FREAKED out before they could do the other.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

jessicajoy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:25:18 GMT

Thanks for the imput...keep it coming!!! ;)

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

jenoneill — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:56:38 GMT

It's a cultural thing for us. Baby girls practically get their ears pierced in utero. All the girs get 'em done when they are infants. Our daughters get to look forward to wearing makeup and dating - in highschool. If they want more then one set of holes in their heads they have to wait for that too.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

chickypoo — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:17:58 GMT

[quote][b]teenietiny (7/6/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]jbuckle (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]I'd wait. It's something for her to look forward to as she grows up. It's almost a rite of passage;) I remember being thrilled and I was aobut 10 years old. I still wear earrings EVERY day![/quote]

i agree!! i remember begging my mom for like 1 year when i was 9, and then she finally took me to get them done on my 10th birthday; i was sooooo thrilled!!! i would wait...[/quote]

Me too! Personally, if we ever have a little girl, she won't get her ears pierced until she wants to, if she even does.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

teenietiny — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:55:01 GMT

[quote][b]jbuckle (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]I'd wait. It's something for her to look forward to as she grows up. It's almost a rite of passage;) I remember being thrilled and I was aobut 10 years old. I still wear earrings EVERY day![/quote]

i agree!! i remember begging my mom for like 1 year when i was 9, and then she finally took me to get them done on my 10th birthday; i was sooooo thrilled!!! i would wait...

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

Summer07 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:32:57 GMT

I would wait until they are older and asking for it to get done. I remember asking my parents and going to get my ears pierced and when I did, feeling like such a big girl.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

beaniebaby — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:02:37 GMT

My mom had mine done when I was a couple months old... I hardly ever wear earrings now, but the holes never closed, so I CAN when I want to.

I'll be doing the same for my daughters, should I have some.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

jbuckle — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:45:49 GMT

I'd wait. It's something for her to look forward to as she grows up. It's almost a rite of passage;) I remember being thrilled and I was aobut 10 years old. I still wear earrings EVERY day!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

rdobina — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:28:53 GMT

[quote][b]crysandjim (7/6/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]rdobina (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]I think this is adorable on little girls, but think I would ultimately wait (probably because DH would make me!). I had mine at about age 6, and was SO excited!

I seriously have never thought of that before![/quote]

That's great - I strive to educate! There are seriously no benefits to using the gun, besides the fact that it's cheaper! Your story about the guns jaming just helps to cinch my point!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

ColieW — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:38:53 GMT

We won't be getting Sophies ears pierced. If she wants them when shes older, we will take her then. But we're not going to decide that for her.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

eeklrb — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:36:10 GMT

We plan on getting our LO's ears pierced when she is a baby. We won't do it when she is a newborn, probably around 5-6 months. I think it looks so cute! My Mom wanted to get mine done when I was a baby, but my Dad didn't want too. I got them done at 3 when I "asked" for them...after a lot of practise with my Mom. lol. We plan on taking her to a piercing salon to get it done, no pressurized piercers for us. JMO.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

MrsZator — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:18:54 GMT

I got Lauras done when she was 2 months.

I think it looks so sweet and its easier then then when their older.

If I had another girl Id do it again as a baby.

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

crysandjim — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:51:00 GMT

just as a note to the piercings themselves...I have had to get mine done a few times, due to the holes growing shut after just a few days with no earrings. When I was younger and got them done, the gun thing jammed while in my ear, adn I paniced. I got so upset, that I literally couldnt see. A year ago i got them redone as i was in a wedding, and part of the outfit was matching earrings. Well, the earring broke as it was being put in. also quite painful

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

flyboysgrl — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:41:48 GMT

I would personally wait until she is old enough to decide for herself. I got my ears pierced when I was 9 and even though it hurt, I knew that it was something I really wanted. And please go to a studio... those "guns" are both painful and just plain gross!

Another tidbit to think on is the fact that her head including her ears will change shape as she matures... this happened to me and both of my "holes" are crooked now. Some types of earrings look really stupid on me now....

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

beachnut — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:35:18 GMT

My Mom got my ears pierced when I was a little baby and since I don't remember anything lol it must have gone well! When they are little, they won't remember the pain and the ear lob is much thinner so I'd think it would be less pain....To each their own! :)

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

BeeBear — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:24:10 GMT

My Mom had my ears pierced when I was really little, maybe 2. I have never disliked it even though I don't wear earrings too often. I have always thought that girls and earrings went hand in hand.

However, DH and I have decided that should our LO be a girl, we are going to allow her to approach us and ask. :)

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

crysandjim — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:54:41 GMT

[quote][b]rdobina (7/6/2008)[/b][hr]I think this is adorable on little girls, but think I would ultimately wait (probably because DH would make me!). I had mine at about age 6, and was SO excited!

I seriously have never thought of that before!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

rdobina — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:27:01 GMT

I think this is adorable on little girls, but think I would ultimately wait (probably because DH would make me!). I had mine at about age 6, and was SO excited!

RE: Better to get girls ears pierced while infants or when old enough to decide whether or not they want them done?

crysandjim — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:08:59 GMT

I wanted to do it with Molli when she was a baby, but her dad wouldnt let me, he said he wanted her to ask for it. We just did it a few months ago (she is 5 now) and while she cried a little when she got it done, they are fine now. Actually, she takes care of them herself...turning them and such.
I also wanted to get Tessas done early, but Jim said no...I watched a baby get her ears done in the mall one day, and I had to leave the area because it was so heartbreaking to hear the screams