Ear Piercing - Joliet,IL

I personally always felt it was only fair to let my daughters decide on their own if they want their ears pierced and not make that decision for them. Even though I have nothing against those who choose otherwise.

My oldest daughter is 4 and although her baby cousin got them pierced as a baby and her other cousin who is a year younger just got them pierced, she doesn't want them pierced yet. Maybe one day she will want to, maybe she never will. I want it to be her decision.

I remember getting my ears pierced when I was 11. I don't recall a lot about my childhood, but I fondly remember going with my mom - it was just the two of us, which was nice because I had 3 siblings. It was fun to have her to myself and a day for the girls. It was, for lack of a better term, a rite of passage. I was old enough to take care of them myself and the experience, itself, was what made it such a wonderful memory. My daughter who is 8 talks about it occasionaly, but if she were to ask to get it done, I would do the same with her - make it a girls day together. Just a thought.

I think if it's a matter of safety and preference. I wouldn't risk it for my child and would wait til they were older and could decide if they even wanted their ears pierced. I've heard horror stories about infections, tears (actual flesh tearing), etc. and would wait. My daughters are 15 and 17 and the older one is totally against it. I'm so glad I didn't force it on her as an infant.

I would wait until she says shes ready. If you pierce her now the holes will be in place for her little ears. As she gets older they will be higher than they should be making some small hoop earings hard to wear. I was 3 when mine were done. I did wear earrings off and on throughout most of grade school but I didn't wear them regularly until junior high. I don't like sleeping with jewelry on and when you are a baby you this thing poking you in the head while you sleep and you can't do anything about it. We are waiting to pierce our daughters ears.

yeah you really did open a can of worms lol. i would look at previous posts about this issue. i will answer as i did then. the only fact i feel is important is that it's your daughter's body and she has a right to decline if she wants to. you want to deny her that right. i know several grown women who don't have pierced ears and don't want them. i whole heartedly think piercing a baby's ears is wrong.

I got my ears pierced when I got my period. It was a nice "grown-up" way to be "welcomed to womanhood." (yes, I realize how goofy that sounds. Sorry.)

My daughter asked for her ears pierced a few times (different ages) so we explained that she would have to be able to take care of them without being asked, so when she would show us she was ready (by brushing her teeth the right way without being reminded) we would have them done. Then we got them done for her 8th birthday, which was conveniently her "Golden" birthday.

As you know, it is all about what you want. I am sure there are pros and cons to everything. I just offered our experiences. :)

I think a good time to have her ears pierced is when she asks you if she can get it done.

You say "in the end it is my decision"...........however.....it is your daughter's body, not yours.

Why not let her choose if she wants to be pierced when she is old enough to look forward to it and have a special time with mom.

16 yrs old as a rite of passage to becoming a young lady.

I got my ears pierced when I was in the 3rd grade and old enough to take care of them!

I agree with the last post. My ears were pierced at birth and I have had no problems and later (when I was teenager) got a second piercing in both ears. I got my daughter's ears pierced at 6 months. I did not have it done by a doctor, but I would recommend taking that route. Later, when she was about 5 or 6 the earings bothered her and she would freak out whenever someone tried taking it out or putting it in. Once we got them out she wouldn't sit still for them to be put back in. The original hole closed and she has had them re-pierced twice since then because she likes having them pierced. It was twice b/c when she got them re-pierced the first time, she started playing volleyball and couldn't keep the earings in (it can disqualify them) for the season. Since she had just got them pierced at the start of season before we knew...one of the hole's closed. I have never regretted having mine pierced and even though my daughter has gone through some things with the piercings...she has never regretted it either. Hope this helps.

Others are correct though, you will have to do what you feel at peace doing.

Hope the best for you!

For me I waited until my oldest was 10, and did it as a surprise for her birthday. I have 8yr old twins as well, and one does not want them done yet, and the other does. I will probably let the one get her's done next year.

I think I would wait until she was at least old enough to enjoy them. Maybe 2yrs old.

I would wait until she's old enough to want them and to care for them herself. I know a lot of people say that if she doesn't want them later she can take them out, and that is true to a point, but I've had mine out for at least fifteen years now and there is still a visible (and palpable) scar on both of my ear lobes.
Whenever you get it done take her to a professional piercer or have it done by her pediatrician - NOT at some cheap place in the mall.

I agree with many of your responses - have a pediatrician do it. The earlier you do it, the better - both from a pain perspective (my daughter's ears were pierced at 1 month and she didn't cry) and also from playing with the earrings. Since my daughter essentially had her ears pierced since birth, it was never a novelty. There are many cultural reasons to do it or not to do it. In the U.S., people are more conservative and it seems like getting your ears pierced is a right of passage. In other countries, it is to distinguish girls from boys and a necessary "perk" of being a girl. Mine were pierced at birth and I've never had an infection from them. No regrets :) Just do whatever is right for you. Trust me, your daughter won't be 10 years old wishing you HADN'T pierced her ears ;)

I had my daughters ears pierced when she was 2 days old (it is typical in Mexico, they do it in the hospital). Never had a problem with them, she is now 2 1/2 they look cute on her. I got mine done when I was in the sixth grade and had horrible problems for the first 6 months, so I vote for doing as a baby, less complications.

Now! I did it with my daughter and I'm so happy I did ! It was as though she was getting a shot - easy! Tylenol and we were home. She is three and she loves her earrings!

At whatever age you would also think it appropriate to also get her a tattoo.

I would probably do it at the age of 2yrs old and make sure that before you do it she is upto date with all of he shots.

They used to pierce ears before you left the hospital (mine were). My pediatrician suggested to wait until after the 1st shots. The earlier you get them done the less traumitized they are and you wont have the big scene at the shop with a screaming toddler.

It is totally up to you of course. I wanted to pierce my daughter's ears (she is almost one) but decided against it only because I want it to be her choice. It was a really big deal for me when I asked to have mine done and we made a day of it. If my daughter asks when she's three or thirteen it won't matter to me. Also something to think about....I worked in a one year old room at a daycare and a little girl we had would always mess with her earrings. At home she took them out and ended up swallowing an earring. Good luck!

We did our daughter at 4 months. She cried the first minute and nothing since. She loves her earrings at 3 1/2 yrs old. Also, we had her doctor do the piercing, not the stores.

I got my daughter's ears pierced at 2yrs old. It was a much easier process than I expected--I was prepared for crying & screaming! She didn't even budge. When they were done, she looked in a mirror & loved it. Although she really wasn't old enough to decide on her own, I had asked her many times before doing it & she'd always said "yes, like mommy". Now, I on the other hand--My mom got mine pierced around 5 or 6 months & she also said there really wasn't much to it at that age either. What's nice at the young age is that they get used to the habit of cleaning them, turning them, changing them, etc. My daughter is finally comfortable enough with changing them on a regular basis, but it did take some time to get to that point. If you are ready for it, especially the frequent cleaning & turning of the earrings, then go right ahead!
Good luck with your decision.
J.

Hi K.T. The right answer is whenever you darn well please. No one can tell you what is right or wrong. The only reason that I have ever heard to not get a baby's ears pierced is the fact that the holes could end up uneven as the ear grows.

My daughter doesn't have her pierced, but I see other kids with earrings and I think it's cute. There is enough disapproval in the world, why do people get so bent out of shape about this subject?

One thing I have seen recommended, and I heartily agree......is to get it done by a professional piercer.....not at Claires or Piercing Pagoda or whatever.

Good luck on whatever you decide!

I had my son's ears pierced when he turned one, and I wish I would have got it sooner. It was difficult to clean them and rotate them because he would run away from me. As for getting them pierced he took it like a champ, he cries more when he gets shots. He doesn't mess with them at all, and they haven't got infected either. I think the earlier the better because they heal faster, they dont relize that they are there, and the less squirm the easier it is to clean the piercings.

My daughters had their ears pierced as a reward when they mastered potty training. (Around 3.) I had enough to do without having to deal with cleaning ears, earrings, etc. My second daughter is allergic to nickel--watch for swelling, pus, etc., so she can't wear the cheap cute earrings. (she also breaks out from the snap on her jeans, belt buckles, etc) The first pair of gold earrings she had were put in her backpack at school because she was afraid they would hurt her too, and of course, didn't make it home. good luck

I laugh when I read these questions, because you don't even have to read the responses to know that it's going to be a touchy subject! I had my daughter's done at 9mths. My pedi said she got her daughters' done at 1yr and she pulled on them so much that she wished she had done them sooner. Your daughter will cry more when she gets her vaccinations, just make sure you really clean them. I did my daughters twice a day and sometimes more than that, because I was so scared of infection.

My mom peirced my ears at 6 weeks. No issues here. If she doesn't want them when she is older, then she can take them out and let them grow in.

Oh boy you just opened a can of worms! I see no problem with it my kids were done at young children. My oldest is the only one that still occasionally wears them.

Joanna
Mommy to Mara 9, Cate 7,and Olivia 6

I used to pierce ears. And although it is easier to pierce the ears of an infant (they get over the pain in just a few seconds) than a scared five year old who freaks out after the first ear, throws up, and then won't let you do the second one (don't laugh it really happened). I've found that baby ear lobes are really small, so what looks to be centered on a 6 month old can actually be very uneven on a 6 year old. I'd wait or the piercings could end up being pretty lop sided.

another home daycare provider I know had an infant with pierced ears, the earrings (the post ones, not other easier to undo ones) came undone during nap time and the baby swallowed both parts and had to have surgery to get them out as they were poking her esphogus.

Not something I would ever risk even though that is a one in a million thing.

Because they are adorable enough as babies.....they don't need any additional "adornments" .....and who needs the extra hassle of worrying about earrings with a baby? There are enough things to take care of. Personally I think it's much better to wait until a child is old enough they want to do it and THEY can learn to take care of it themselves instead of having another thing you have to take care of for them.

ok I am going to offer my 2 cents.. I have 2 daughters, one is almost 9 and the other is 9.5 months. I had them both done at 3 months and this is entirely your decision!!
I had no problems with either and my eldest daughter wants second holes although that I am going to wait on a little while.
If your daughter has the coordination to tug at her ears now.. she may pull at them. I called around and found a place that did both ears at the same time so it was done and over with quickly and they used plastic earrings and protector backings so there is no post poking out the back of the ear.
I have had no problems whatsoever!
Call around and do your research.. I recommend finding a place with 2 guns and the plastic if you can find that.
Best of luck!!

i pierced my daughtres ears at exactly 3 mos. she'll be 4 mos on monday, so if u have a bby that looks kinda like a boy then i suggest u do get her earrings,lol!!!!!!!!!!! i did them bkuz its beautiful when a bby has her ears pierced!! well hope this helps!!!

Until a child can truthfully give informed consent to have something done to their bodies, it is not anyone's right to inflict any pain upon it.

That's just basic physical human rights of the child.

I got my daughter's ears pierced at 3mo. The main reason is so she would not remember that they are there and is less likely to mess with them as they heal. Some people feel that you should wait until the child is old enough to decide for themselves. However, I chose to do it early, every women I know has their ears pierced, and had it done as a baby. If she doesn't want them later on, she can take them out.

i had my childs done as soon as i could (i think 6 weeks) after shots. (both of them) and even though they don't wear them much, it doesn't close up. they do not pull on them and it heals quickler than when they are older.

I would think it would be better to have her do it as a rite of passage type thing when she is older, like on a special birthday or something and make a mom/daughter day of it. It is not like it is so painful that any 6 or 7 year old can't handle it, or it is going to scar her for life. I would think that would be a nice special moment that a mom and her daughter could share when it means something to both of them. And my PERSONAL opinion, babies with earrings look odd.

I got my daughters ears pierced at 3 months old at her pediatricians office. She has never had any issues with them, no infections. One con to getting them done when they are older is they are probably more likely to touch them and mess with them and accidentally take them out and not be able to get them back in and is too scared to tell you she messed with them and then the hole is closed (happened to my niece) My daughter now 5 LOVES getting new earrings in her stocking for Christmas or Birthdays. She was never really into them until recently now she wants to wear different ones and changing them isn't an issue at all since the hole is established. If she decides that she doesnt want earrings as a teen or adult she can take them out and never put them in again she might have the hole indent but who seriously says I have a hole in my ear and my life is ruined? She wrestles with her brother and they have never been pulled out or yanked. She has a plastic backing so it doesnt bother her when she sleeps. Do what you want just make sure that she doesnt tug at them being a little older than a 3 mos old.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. My daughter was 6 when she got hers pierced. My grandmother didn't get hers pierce until she was in her late 60's! However, I think this is one of those easy opportunities for parents to turn that decision over to their child if they feel like their child is ready. Getting your ears pierced can be one of those wonderful mother/daughter rights-of passage-type of experiences that you both remember for the rest of your life!

i pierced my daughters little ears at 2 wekks old she was fine shedidnot pull the erring now is 14 months and neveris pulling the ear i like it how it look

Its a personal decision and you are not wrong either way. I think either do it now or wait until she is older. When they are babies they get used to it, when they are a little older babies they will pull at there ears.

I got my girls done at the Pediatricians office. I would not go to the mall. My sister worked at one of those stores and they made her peirce ears even though she did not feel comfortable with it and they only had her practice a few times. SCARY!

Also you can get closed backed earrings that screw on so they won't come of and the back of the earring won't scratch your child.

Got my daughters done at 7 months at Piercing Pagoda. She is now 7 and we have never had a problem.

I would say when they can ask for it. I had mine done at 5 years old, and because my ears were still growing, the location was lower on one ear than it should have been. I had to get it redone when I was older. But it had been my decision to have them done.

The younger the better. I got my daughter's pierced at 3 months. They give you a solution that you have to clean the front and backs for. I've only swtiched her ear rings 2 times so far and haven't had any problems. I'd go with gold tho (just to make sure she's not sensitive).

I'm not sure if I'm answering a bit late but I just came across this post so I'll answer here in the same way I answered the previous mom...I think you think you should get your child's permission first. You stated that "in the end it's your decision" well, no it's not...it's your child's decision. They're her ears, not yours. You should wait til she asks for pierced ears. I think it's cruel for a parent to pierce a baby's or toddler's ears, they didn't ask for that. Babies have rights too so I think you should wait til she asks first.