Earrings on babies?

jillianmb · May 2010

This board is a little slow so here's a question:

What is your opinion on earrings on babies or toddlers? If you have a daughter(s) when will you/did you pierce her ears?

TheWop · May 2010

Personally, if I have a girl I will wait until they are old enough to ask for them. I don't think it's wrong to do before they are old enough to ask though. It's up to the parent in my opinion.

Desmond&MollyJones* · May 2010

My sister got her daughter's ears pierced when she was about 1. I totally judged her at the time.

But now I don't have a problem with it. They actually made her look like a girl, and she doesn't even notice them - I thought she would pull at them, etc.

I have no idea if/when we would get our hypothetical daughter's ears pierced.

MissyNa · May 2010

I had Brielle's ears pierced when she was 3.5 months old (almost a year ago). She didn't cry much and she doesn't play with them. Ben and I had a long talk about this before we had them done. We both felt if she didn't want to wear earrings when she's older she doesn't have to. I had my ears pierced when I was 3 months old as well. I'm SO thankful my parents did that. I would be too big of a whimp to have them done when I was older. LOL! Plus now I can go years (really, years) without wearing earrings and still be able to put a pair in without any problems. It's nice to have the option.

)

jillianmb · May 2010

I am torn. I really love how little girls look with pierced ears; I think it is so cute and pretty. I don't like the idea of putting a baby through that pain for cosmetic reasons.... but I remember getting my ears pierced (first holes when I was 6 and then second holes when I was a teen) and it hurt, but not that bad. I've stubbed my toe and had worse pain before.

jillianmb · May 2010

MissyNa:
I had Brielle's ears pierced when she was 3.5 months old (almost a year ago). She didn't cry much and she doesn't play with them. Ben and I had a long talk about this before we had them done. We both felt if she didn't want to wear earrings when she's older she doesn't have to. I had my ears pierced when I was 3 months old as well. I'm SO thankful my parents did that. I would be too big of a whimp to have them done when I was older. LOL! Plus now I can go years (really, years) without wearing earrings and still be able to put a pair in without any problems. It's nice to have the option. )

Did any friends/family members judge you or make comments for piercing them so early?

MissyNa · May 2010

jillianmb:

MissyNa:
I had Brielle's ears pierced when she was 3.5 months old (almost a year ago). She didn't cry much and she doesn't play with them. Ben and I had a long talk about this before we had them done. We both felt if she didn't want to wear earrings when she's older she doesn't have to. I had my ears pierced when I was 3 months old as well. I'm SO thankful my parents did that. I would be too big of a whimp to have them done when I was older. LOL! Plus now I can go years (really, years) without wearing earrings and still be able to put a pair in without any problems. It's nice to have the option. )

Did any friends/family members judge you or make comments for piercing them so early?

No family members or close friends. We've had a few acquaintances make off hand remarks but we tend to ignore them.

) Most people have more questions then anything else (along the lines of did she cry? Does she pull on them? Are they alot of work?). I've had a few women tell me they wish their parents did their ears when they were young.

adreajoy713 · May 2010

It doesn't bother me. But I've also never understood it. I think it has to do with how I was brought up...I wasn't allowed to have my ears pierced until I was 16. Then I didn't wear earrings much and they closed up so I eventually had them re-pierced.

If I have a daughter I will allow her to get her ears pierced when she is old enough to take care of the cleaning responsibility herself and she wants them.

A spinoff to the question...will you/did you allow your son to pierce his ear(s)?

charitylynne_1979 · May 2010

It really doesn't matter to me or bother me. My parents had my ears pierced and I was about 3 months old too. Like MissyNa said, I am glad they did it then cause I would have been chicken to do it later. But for a long time I didn't wear earrings and then I started again - never had to get them repierced.

xDanniellex · May 2010

I think baby girls are so adorable with their ears pierced. H and I have had this discussion, and he always gets sarcastic cuz he thinks I'd pierce a boy's ear(s). I just end up rolling my eyes at him.

Since we're having a boy it isn't really an issue. If/When we have a girl I'll push to have them done when she is an infant.

As for allowing our son to get his ear(s) pierced, I would be OK with it once he's a teenager. I have a feeling H will be a harder sell. I guess we'll have to see if it becomes an issue.

As for piercing more than the ears, no matter the gender I say wait till they are 18 and can sign for themselves. I had to wait till I was 18 to get my eyebrow done, and same thing with my sister and her nose.

jillianmb · May 2010

adreajoy713:
A spinoff to the question...will you/did you allow your son to pierce his ear(s)?

If we have a boy I'd let him get his ear(s) pierced if he wanted. If spacing is still in style and he wanted that I'd be more hesitant- probably only let the gauge get to the point where his ears would return to normal if he took them out. Basically I think I'd be more lenient on things like hair color/style, piercings, clothing etc but strict on permanent changes like spacing and tattoos.

ETA: The boy would have to be a teen to get his ears pieced- probably 15 or older.

Chymes · May 2010

adreajoy713:

I will allow her to get her ears pierced when she is old enough to take care of the cleaning responsibility herself and she wants them.

I am in this boat.

I also don't think infants with pierced ears are particularly cute - it looks out of place/unnatural to me.

Suze04 · May 2010

I probably wouldn't do it, but I was raised in a very conservative religion where jewelry of any kind (even wedding rings in some cases) was frowned upon. I snuck out and got my ears pierced at 17. I think I would probably make my hypothetical daughter wait until she's old enough to know she really wants pierced ears.

It doesn't really bother me that other people do it. I also agree with pp who said it helps baby girls look more feminine.

sme14 · May 2010

I am a bit late, but IMO, it isn't my body. I feel that if DD wants them pierced, then she can ask when she is ready, and can take on the responsibility to take care of them. I personally don't like earings on babies/toddlers, but I won't judge either. Each family has their own likings/dislikes.

LVila · May 2010

I'm in the "not my daughter" boat. I hate taking her for shots b/c they hurt. I'm not signing her up for something unnecessary. I got mine done when I was younger and had allergic reactions, so Mere will have to wait.

jkmcnamara · May 2010

I think it's cute and fully plan on having my (future) daughter's ears pierced the same day the doctor says it's safe.

But I want a little princess

As for a boy? I would say middle school (12) would be appropriate, if he asked for it and was able to care for it himself.

I guess that's a double standard....

KzooJo · May 2010

I think little girls look cute with their ears pierced, however, I wouldn't do it. As harsh as it sounds, I would wait until they're old enough to ask to have it done and use it as a reward for something or as a birthday/Christmas gift, etc. I got mine pierced the first time when I was 6. I was able to care for them myself and my parent's had me "earn" it - I had to do chores etc.

As for boys getting their ears pierced... I wouldn't mind at all. Then again, my husband has his ears pierced twice in both ears. I think I'd like to have him wait until at least middle school, but I suppose we'll see what the trend is at the time.

Earrings on babies?

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