How Old Was Your Daughter When You Pierced Her Ears?

Why do you know that it's best to get her ears pierced when she's "young and fresh"? What is best about that, and according to whom? My daughter was ten when she CHOSE to get her ears pierced. I don't believe in infant ear piercing. My choice was to allow it when she wanted it and was old enough to care for the piercings herself. She was 10 when she asked, and that's when it was done. She was 13 when she got the 2nd piercing.

Sorry but why do babies need there ears pierced??? WHO is it really for??? To me that is equal to going up to someone and inflicting pain on them when they HAVE NOT asked for it or understand it. JMHO. I got mine done when I was 8 and my daughter will be the same. IF SHE CHOOSES TO HAVE IT DONE.

Why not wait till she's old enough to want them, and let it be her decision? Plus later on, it'll be a good "mommy-daughter" experience. A big girl's day out for ya'll to enjoy and celebrate her "growing up".

BTW, mine where done 2x. Once as an infant. They had to be taken out when I got tubes put in my ears. Then again at 10. It was a really nice day with my grandmother getting to have them done then!

I will not alter my child's body without her permission. So, my girls have to be old enough to ask to have their ears pierced. My oldest was 7 and my second daughter was 5. I have an 11 month old daughter and I will do the same thing with her. We make it a special day with shopping and lunch. It makes them feel like big girls and something they will always remember. Don't get your baby's ear's pierced now. They grow up so fast. Keep some things for when they are older.

Also, since my girls asked to have it done and were excited about it they did not cry, nor were they nervous or scared. They could not wait. It was a big deal to them. Both of them were also very responsible about cleaning them.

Our opinion is that our daughter is not our property.

Her body = her decision.

She asked to get her ears pierced at 10 and we took her to do it.

anyone who thinks you can just take them out if she decides not to have pierced ears obviously has never seen it. it leaves scars. it IS altering your child's body without her permission. personally i think it is vain and selfish on a parent's part. i would wait until she is old enough to want it (or not). i have three cousins who do not have pierced ears. one had them done at a young age. and yes she has scars. i had 5 at one time and am now down to just my original two - yes, i have scars. they don't go away.

isn't your child beautiful and perfect as she is?

My daughter was 5. I really hate to see little babies with their ears pierced. My husband and I said when our daughter requests to get her ears pierced and knows that it will hurt and is ok with it, we will let her do it. I think putting a little baby through the uncessary pain and stress is a little cruel. Thats just me though.

I agree with the majority of those before me. Why? I can't for the life of me think of a good reason to do it before they decide they want them on their own.
My daughter is almost 10. She has NO interest...NONE...in getting her ears pierced. Not because she is scared or don't want to deal with them or anything else. She isn't a girly girl, and hates wearing dresses, etc... I've mentioned it to her before and she just makes a face and says she doesn't want them.

She may NEVER want them. And good for her if that is what she decides. It is wearing of jewelry for goodness sake. I don't wear a particularly large amount of jewelry.. what if I was permanently affixed with a bracelet when I was a baby? YUCK. Maybe one day my daughter will decide she wants them...but until she does, she will not have any. She has lots of friends who do, and it doesn't bother her in the least to be "different".
Let your daughter decide.

at what age will she quit being 'fresh'?
khairete
puzzled S.

In our house it's their 8th grade graduation big gift.
That way it's their decision.
THeir issue if it gets infected.
Their body, their holes.
It also gives them something to look forward too.

I do not like baby ear piercing, but that is only my opinion.

I'm not sure I understand the "young and fresh" comment. A little girl should be able to ask for this. My daughter was 4.5 years, and it was such a special moment because she had wanted it and understood what was happening. She looked in the mirror they handed her, and smiled, and said "mommy, I have big girl earrings!".

This can be put off to a safer time in her life when she can care for them! An infant immune system cannot fight of an infection at the site of the piercing as well as a 4-8 year old girl! There's always a chance of them getting embedded, not to mention the choking hazard.

My daughters are going on 8 and 9. The younger has started to express interest, and will be getting them done by a professional piercer and not a mall cashier. The older has zero interest, so I am glad we've never taken that choice away from her.

I gave mine the option to choose to have it done. I didn't think it was right to decide what was done to her body without her consent. She was 9 yrs. My twins are 6 and they still aren't sure they want it done yet. I'm glad I waited: my older daughter is just like me and is extremely allergic to nickel. There are alot of earrings she can't wear and has serious reactions. As a baby, it could cause serious scarring. Just my opinion.

My daughter was 3.5 when we got hers done. At that point, she'd been asking for a while and I'd explained the process in sufficient detail that I thought she was ready.

I never had any problems with her messing with them and was quite an active participant in their care.

I did not get them done when she was a baby because I don't think it is necessary to add work for myself...lol. Also, why do you think it is better when they are young? It is the same process and the same amount of pain...even if they don't react the same. My little drama queen didn't shed a single tear.

I did the same thing my parents did...wait until she asked for it. Though she asked a lot sooner than I did!

Many Native American tribes use the ear piecing as a rite of passage with presents and a party. Girls are 8 when they get their ears pierced.
I did not pierce my daughter's ears until each one was old enough to appreciate the process. My ears were pierced and so it seems quite normal to them.

She can get her ears pierced at any age, but as a baby it may need to be done in a doctor's office. I would check with your pediatrician and see what they say about her needing to get some vaccines on board first. However, unless you do it as an infant, I would wait until she is old enough to ask to have it done and is willing to let you clean them afterwards. I've heard of people having it done to them as toddlers and it seems so not necessary. It does hurt but they are not of an age where they can choose to deal with it for the sake of having pierced ears and it does not benefit them in any way. And they will want to fiddle and mess with them and they won't be old enough to understand that they need to leave them alone and allow you to keep them clean.

Personally, I am waiting until DD asks me to have it done. Then it can be a special milestone bonding moment for us (she is only 3 yo now).

I told my daughter she could have hers done for 1st grade... which is around the time of her 6th Birthday. I think Ear piercing is a great coming of age milestone and makes it more of a Big Girl/Mommy Special Day.

I would never pierce an infant's ears - mainly because not all girls grow up wanting their ears pierced. It should be the child's choice and when you do it as an infant or toddler - you take away that freedom of choice.

I got my daughter's done when SHE decided she wanted them done - she was four, and asked for holes in her ears.

I am in the camp of moms who let their kids decide when to pierce their bodies. I feel they're not my ears, so they're not mine to pierce. My older daughter was 4 when she got hers, and my younger was 5. It was a fun mom/daughter day for them and they enjoyed picking out earrings and taking care of their own ears.

I wanted her to be old enough to decide for herself. I'm not a big believer in making that choice that is FOREVER for your child. Anyway, my daughter is 11 and in January she said, mom, I want to get my ears pierced! YAHOO! So we made a big deal about it and went and got it done. good luck with what you decide to do.

Unlike some posters I had my daughters ears pierced when she was 3 months. When they did it her eyes got big each time and then she started her usual talking to the lights in the ceiling and laughing. She is 4 now so earrings have been a part of her life so she never bothers them. She has earrings in different shapes and colors and she loves choosing what earrings she will wear with her outfit. I had my ears pierced when I was 12 and was mad at my Mom for not having them pierced when I was a baby. At that age they were a pain to take care of with me doing it myself. I felt better being the one to take care of my daughters ears while they were healing I know some posters say you should wait but this is your baby so do what you feel. I'm glad I didn't wait because she looks so cute in all of her pictures with her little earrings. Good luck with your decision.

My Daughter is 8 and we got hers done @ 2.5 months.I was told they have to have their 2 months shots and so I did it as soon as I could!I am glad I went with this decision,some people don't agree with it.They think the child should be old enough to decide if she wants them.Well here's my thoughts on that.If she decides she doesn't want them she cant let them grow shut.It was much easier in my opinion,she only cried for a few minutes.If I had them done now she would be nervous and scared and probably cry longer.An older child would mess with them,increasing the risk of infection and might fight you to clean them regularly.Sorry for the rambling,I know you just asking a simple question but I just wanted to share my entire opinion being a Mom who did it as soon as I could!

No long story behind my answer... Both girls had them pierced around 6 months old. No right or wrong answer- its a personal choice

I'm giggling at the "young and fresh" adjectives. She isn't a veggie! I have, indeed, heard that babies' ears don't get as sore, but I don't know whether that's true or not.

Now you have to read my whole story and not yawn. Well, try, anyhow.

My older daughter first started talking about pierced ears when she was four and went to preschool with a little girl who had pierced ears (and absolutely perfect hair and fashion-magazine clothes). So I relied on the time-honored answer, "I'll let you know." After some thought, I decided my girls could have their ears pierced, if they wanted, when most of the girls in their class had pierced ears.

For my older daughter, that was about seventh grade. My younger daughter wasn't interested for quite a while, and decided to have hers done about half way through high school.

MEANWHILE, back to preschool: I realized that if I was really going to allow MY BABIES to get HOLES in their ears, I needed to know more about it. So I had my ears pierced. I was in my thirties (and always a little backward). My main experience was that my ears became infected. But... then I could tell both girls of the value of keeping their ears cleaned once the procedure was done.

My oldest granddaughter is about to turn ten, which is when my DIL has promised her she could have her ears pierced. She's terrifically excited about it.

3 months. In Texas you have to be at least 3 months I believe... at least where we went you did. My daughter gave the lady an angry look and cried for about 5 seconds and she was done. My hubby actually was the one who wanted to get them done! I went along with it for a few reasons. First, when they are younger they don't know it's coming so they aren't really scared and it doesn't seem to hurt them. Second, with her being so young I could clean them, turn them, and take care of them until they were healed up without her touching and messing with them. Less likely to get infected since she doesn't even know they are there and never touches them. And lastly, she looked a lot like my son (20 months apart) and I wanted her to look a little bit more girly! lol Of course I was the only one who saw how closely they resembled each other. She's has very femine features but still!! I love that her ears are pierced, it goes along with her personality, a nice touch of bling!

Our daughter was close to 7 months. If I could have I would have pierced them a lot sooner (we had stuff going on). I had mine done when I was 2 weeks old (back in the 80's).

Did my daughters when she was 4 months. Was not bad at all. :)

I had them done @ 5 months with required State immunizations.She is your daughter do them when you'd like to.

I got my DD's pierced when she was 8 months old. Absolutely NO issues whatsoever. Go for it!

7. old enough to decide for her self. why be mean and hurt your baby

We didn't get our daughter's done when she was an infant although some do. I think around 3 months is the average for those that do but you can ask you doctor.

We waited until my daughter asked and did it as a reward for potty training.

I didn't let my daughters pierce their ears until they could take care of them. I looked at this as part of growing up and a rite of passage. It was a positive experience that we shared with each other. You will be missing out if you don't wait.
Why would you want to start so young? What benifit from having her ears pierced at one year old can you see?

I would wait until she's about 4 months old after she gets that round of vaccinations that's due around that time and wait until a few days after that. Give her infant Tylenol ahead of time, have a feeding ready, and see if your pediatrician will do it or can recommend a pediatrician who will. After care is very easy at this age and there shouldn't be any chance of infection as long as you go to someone reputable and take proper care of the ears, and keep the same gold piercing studs in her ears for the first year.

My daughter is 5yrs old and decided she wanted hers done so I took her to get it done. She did very well & loves the fact she gets to change them when she wants..My niece who is 3 kept telling her mom she wanted her done. My sister took her, she cried her little heart out! but after she was done crying she was excited to show everybody! Unfortuntley she didnt leave hers alone & why her mom was at work it fell out, when mom got home it had already closed up..really it's up to you..Good Luck!

I actually pierced my daughter's ears when she turned 2 months old. I took her to get her shots and then to get her ears pierced all in the same day. Why not get it over with? I then took her again when she was 1 1/2 yrs old to get a second hole, because I think the older you are the more aware of pain you are. She is now 13 and loves it because she can wear different color earrings. I do not allow her nor does her school allow her to wear big earrings.

You'll need to check with your State health department to see what their guidelines are-age and vaccinations needed. In Indiana, it's 6 months and current vaccinations. In South Carolina it's 1 month old.

My daughter was 6 months old when her ears got pierced and she hasn't ever complained to me that she wished I hadn't and she is almost 11yrs old. It did alert us to the fact that she does have a nickel allergy though. Not saying that is a valid reason to do it to your child.

It's personal preference and while those that have done it to their kids think it's no big deal and there are the mom's on the other side of the fence that think it should be left up to the child when they are old enough to decide. I personally can't say why I did it to mine when she was a baby. Maybe it's because I was in pain after I got mine done as an older child and didn't want her to remember that feeling, I thought she would look cute, people wouldn't think she was a boy (people still thought she was a boy with a flower dress and pink earrings!). But I don't regret the decision and I don't think my child does either.

Good luck
S.

Just to add to what one mom said that earrings are jewelry-yes they are jewelry but so are the little bracelets and necklaces you see babies were. I don't think that is safe because I see it as a choking hazard. But if I'm not mistaken, they are worn for religious or cultural reason. So maybe it is culture for some people to pierce their kids ears at an early age.

We got our daughter's ears pierced when she was four months old and she didn't fuss much and didn't mess with them.

Body piercing-of any sort-should be the child's decision, not the parents. Believe it or not, there ARE children that have no interest in having their ears pierced. My parents had mine pierced when I was around four....I haven't worn earrings for almost twenty years. And, yes, if I want to, I can still put earrings in. After you've had a piercing for a long, long time the holes never quite close up all the way.

I've always thought earrings on a baby were borderline abusive. If you're okay with letting her have pierced ears, then I would wait until she was old enough to ask for them, and then take her to get it done.

Got my daughter's ears pierced at 10 weeks. Our Pediatrician and local Claires both suggested waiting until her 2 month immunizations. My parents pierced my ears when I was 6 weeks, and I have always loved baby's with cute little earrings. I think it was easier to take care of cleaning them for her, and she didn't mess with them cause she was too young to know she had ears, so no infections and she is adorable! It was a little heart wrenching to see her cry hard, but two minutes later she was happy and smiling again.

I personally had to wait until I was 18 years old as my mother told me it was a barbaric tradition and a passing fad. That was 32 years ago.

My daughter, I loosend the rules and let her go at sweet 16.

Hi! wow, lot's of responses already.....doesn't seem to be any "right" answer- or perfect situation. There are pro's and con's to both. Here is just another personal experience/ story to share to help you decide:
I had mine done at a young age. We are italian and that seems to be what they did. I had it done at around a few months old. This was 33 years ago. My pediatrcian messed up and put the hole too low on one eary- so they had to do it again a bit higher. No problems today- the lower mistake hole is still slightly there- but not too noticeable. I planned on doing my daughters when she was 6 months old- but time got away from us- and she turned 2 and it was inappropriate to do at that time because she was too young to know to not mess with it. At age three she started asking for it- so when my mother in law came to visit for her 4th birthday, me, my mom, and my mother in law took her to a really nice reputable Claires- and she got it done. Before we made this decision, we talked to her about what it would be like (how it would feel, what would happen, how she would have to be with her ears afterwards as far as taking care of them, etc.)- she is pretty mature - and it all worked out just great. However; if my older one was a girl- 4 years old would have been WAY too young! I think it depends on the child. Good luck!

I was 6 mo. or so when I got mine done. My sister was a year old. My stepdaughter got hers when she was 8 yrs old and my DH and I have compromised and whenever DD asks, she can get them. She's 2.5 right now. My DH feels in part that it should be the child's choice (like some of the moms here) and also that it should be a big deal and special treat. I'm fine with that.

If you do them young, I'd probably do them in the 6-12 mo. timeframe, but I have nothing against babies with earrings. Just do it in the pediatrician's office instead of Claire's.

My Daughter is a year old I have not gotten her ears pierced do the fact that I had alot of trouble with mine . I was not able to keep my ears pierced for very long in till they got infected. Come to find out Im not capable to not being able to ear any ear rings that are not 14 carrot gold. Think about if you had any trouble with them . that is one reason why i have not had my daughter's done yet. I will come to that when she is able to care for them and so they wont get infected.

All I'm really trying to say is about a month is good. Do it when they are younger so they dont play with there ears when they are older. The best of luck to you .

My daughter was 5 1/2 and had been asking for a while. I was 5 when I had mine done, so I was fine with her getting hers done at that age. 2 1/2 months after they were pierced, one of the earrings became embedded in her ear while she slept. She had a bad infection and we could not put an earring in the hole. The infection has cleared up, but she will have to have the ear re-pierced at some point. Certainly did not go the way I had hoped. :(

Mine is nearly five now and is as of yet, unpierced. I remember I was about six when I became aware of my mother's earrings and asked to have a pair myself. She took me to the jewelry store to get my ears pierce but after the first hole was made she couldn't convince me to sit back in the chair to get the second ear done. It hurt!

Finally she said, "If I let them pierce me, will you get back in the chair?" and I agreed. So my mother had two sets of holes and I got back in the chair to finish my first.

I guess I'll take my daughter on the day she asks for them. When we go I'll make sure they do both ears at once though... I don't need any more holes in my head right now.

My granddaughter had her ears pierced when she was just a few months old. She's now 10 and her ears have grown closed. I say, do it now, perhaps when shes a couple months older. If she doesn't want pierced ears she can let them close up.

One piece of information. Her mother had it done at a jewelry store and they used adult sized studs. Her ear lobes stand away from her head. It looks to me that the back of the ear ring held it out and it grew that way. I'm just guessing. But I would be sure to use baby sized ear rings.

Just like other readers, I waited until 4 months after she had her vaccinations. I took her to Claires and they asked to see the vaccination form signed by the doctor!

I wanted to have them done right after she was born by the doctor (like when I was a baby) but doctors dont do that anymore I guess.

My daughter did great though, cried for about 5 minutes and was completely fine. She hasn't tugged or paid much attention to them since.

Try and keep posts in her ears for awhile so they don't snag on anything. My daughter is 2 1/2 and we recently tried to use small hoops and they snagged on everything!

Congrats to you and your fam on the newest addition :)

My daughter was 8 weeks old. If you feel you want to give her the choice, then wait until she is older. However to the mom that said it is a choice for the child FOREVER, that is not the case. Holes anywhere in your body close up after time, period. I know I've had multiple piercings. If you want to do it now go for it, if she wants to take them out later she will. All in all it is a choice you have to make. There is no right or wrong answer. I say ignore everyone else and go with your gut. :)

I took my daughter after her 2 month checkup. She had to get shots that day and we went that afternoon, while she was already crabby! She is 4 now and has done great with them.

i did it at 5 months. she cried until i nursed her and that was the last time she even fussed. I do feel guilty and i also now know that acupuncture point are on the ears and if they had hit one of those she could have had some serious discomfort. sorry i dont think i was any help, if you are going to do it younger is preferable because the older they are they more chances they will play with them and take them out, youd have to wait until she was more responsible.

My daughter got her ears pierced when she was ten months old.. the day she turned 10 months happened to be one day before my birthday and my birthday present to myself was convincing her dad to take us to the mall and get them done. He was kinda against and didnt think it was necessary only because he didnt want his little girl to go through any pain in which she didnt absolutely have to ( compared to the many shots babies get in the first year) but he took us and we did it and he was happy after it was all done and over with..the thing i think scared and hurt her the most was being "restrained" and held tight while the peircing was done.. but both ears were done at the exact same time with one person on each side and as soon as she was in daddys arms the tears were over with.) she is now two and there has been no problems or infections with them. Just make sure that you clean them more than the bottle of solution recommends.. well at least thats what i did.. it was a great time to get then done because she never even attempted to touch pull or feel them..