Ear Piercing at 3 Months

There are, as you can see, many different points of view on this topic ... no one is more valid than the others ...

As a hispanic mom, this was absolutely normal for me and nearly all of my friends. My sister and I had our ears pierced when we were about 2 weeks old by the pediatrician. I think my mom said a nurse in his office used to help with the ear piercings. I had my 2nd hole at 13 and then did the top when I was 18 (that one closed up when I joined the Army a few months later).

My daughter had hers pierced at 6 months because she was born in Germany and that was the earliest they would do it at the local jewelry store (that's where they do it over there). That was considered later than I would have had it done here in S. Florida.

My mom's brother & his wife (from the Midwest) didn't allow their daughter to get her ears pierced until she was 13. It was a big issue and she could never find earings when she was younger because the clip-on style were always very "old lady" style -- if you know what I mean.

In the end, you'll find out that, like the breastfeeding comment in your "about me" and many other issues that will arise in the years to come, you need to stick to your guts and not worry about what others say. In the end, she is your daughter and you know what is best for her.

Good luck!!!

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I feel ear piercing should be done at the earliest time possible, this is when they are most tender, and since they are small, they don't touch them.
And as to breast feeding, don't listen to your friend, the longer you breat feed the better for your baby immune system and his health. Remember, baby who are breast fed don't get sick as often as baby raised on formula. I know, i am a mother of 2 grown sons, and grandmother of 5...

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My daughter turned 11 today. I got her ears pierced when she was a baby. They stayed in until she was around 2-3. She learned how to unscrew the backs and take them off. So I took them out. The hole is still there and she can wear earrings if she wants to, but she rarely does. I have put them back in her at different points over the years when she would express an interest.
As the other moms said, go with your own instincts and do what's best for your own family and pay no attention to the negative people. Most of those either have no children, or theirs are grown so they've forgotten. ;o)

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Hello A., I pierced my daughter's ears at 4 months. I also did it at the mall. Some people stopped and starred at me. My daughter was fine. She cried for a second and was quickly soothed by her bottle. I love the fact we did it so early, because for the longest time she didn't even know she was wearing earrings. When you do it on an older age they tucked on the ears.

K.

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Being a hispanic woman I see nothing wrong with it since in my culture we do it as early as possible. When I was born the hospitals pierced your ears before you left as a newborn. People need to mind there own business. She is your daughter make the decisions for her you think are right. As a mom you know what is right and wrong for them and when in doubt it is good to reach to friends and family, take there advice into consideration but at the end you know exactly what is wright and works for your family. Pierce them. She will look so cute with her new earings.

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You will soon learn to follow your instincts for what is best for you and your daughter. Everybody will always have an opinion as to what they think you should do, but you are her mother.

I felt comfortable doing it and peirced my daughters' ears around that time. The benefits to doing at that age are that she will not remember any pain, your pediatrician can do it and you can nurse her right after to comfort her, so she won't even cry.

I also wanted to encourage you to find a good breast feeding support group through your local hospital. I did this and helped me to breastfeed my daughters for 10 and 13 months. Especially if your friends are quitting, it is important to surrond yourself with other mothers that are continuing to breastfeed past 3 months. Also you have made it through the most difficult period of breastfeeding - I think anybody would agree that it only gets easier after 3 months. I took a weekly/monthly approach. I never planned on breastfeeding as long as I did, but by saying "I'll get through this week and see how it goes" helped. If anyone asked how long I planned to I just responded "I don't know, let me just make it through this week/month. The last thing you need is more pressure. Congratulations for making it this far!

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Hi A.,
Being an Asian it was a normal for us to have pierced ears at a very young age. Our pediatrician is hispanic and did it for us as a 'birthday present" at 3-6 months old. (She's 12 now) We've never had a problem, it was during one of her vaccination visits, and they gave her tylenol right before. She fell asleep after about 5 minutes of being upset, and it was done under very clean conditions. My pedictrician is very sweet, and comes highly recommended- Dr. Barbara O'Reilly at Jacksonville Beach. Good luck on your decision. E.

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Hi A.,

This is your decision, obviously, but I wanted to tell you that I didn't pierce my daughters' ears (I have 2, age 13 and 16). I personally didn't want to deal with the hygiene or the thought of one of them pulling it out at that point in my life. I had my ears pierced at 16 and really wish I hadn't.

My 16 year old has decided not to pierce her ears and has thanked me for not piercing them for her. I know that the holes can close up eventually but there will always be a mark there. I'm glad I made that choice and I'm tickled my almost grown daughter appreciates my decision. My 13 year year old has never brought it up and hasn't asked....

Just another thought...

M.

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I think that is the perfect age to pierce your daughters
ears. I did both of my daughters at 3 months. Don't worry
about what other people think. This is your daughter and
until she is 18 you will make decisions for her. She will
cry for about two seconds and thats it. You can also take
her to the pediatrician and they will also pierce her ears
if you are worried about the mall. Good Luck and I am sure
she will look beautiful.

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I got my daughters pierce at the DR's office, they did it with her 2 month shots. I think you should do what you feel right about. Everyone is different, but you have to want to do it. She cried because she was scared, as soon as I picked her up, she had already stopped crying. My daughter is 6 now and loves changing her earrings. Good luck.

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Hi A.,

I pierced my little girl's ears at 3.5 months. I would recommed it, but to do it by a pediatrician, or somewhere where two girls do it at the same time and with a gun. Do NOT get it done with a needle! Where do you live? If you live in Jacksonville, my Pediatrician is GREAT, and she pierces ears.

Also, what part of Panama are you from? My mom is Panamena, and we are going there in Feb. I am so excited. Well, good luck!

Hi A.,

I think it's a completely personal decision when to have your baby's ear pierced. Don't let anyone else tell you any different. I just had my 5 year olds done for her 5th birthday. I wanted to do it sooner, but my husband insisted we wait. He doesn't want his baby growing up too quickly. :) After having them done, I almost wish we would have done them when she was a baby. There would have been a lot less fussing. On the flip side of that, I have a friend who had her baby's ears done at 6 weeks and when she was 2 she pulled out one of her earrings and swallowed it! She was fine, but that was enough to scare my friend and she took her earrings right out.
I would recommend having them done at your pediatricians office if you can, especially as babies. It's a much safer environment to have them done. You never know what kind of germs can be picked up in the mall, even if everything is clean.
Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision!

I would not say that it is wrong, but I believe that a son or daughter are humans who should have the chance to make these choices themselves. What if they do not want their ears pierced?

Yes its cute and pretty, but you are putting a "hole" in their body and children should be respected when it comes to markings, piercings, etc being forced on their body and allowed to make these choices on their own with being educated along with it. They could be allergic to the metals and it will hurt for a moment; and they "must" take care of it so it does not get infected. I did not pierce my daughter's ears until she came to me and aksed. She was in 5th or 6th grade when she wanted it done and she did cry for the first hole....loudly! :-) She was fine by the second hole, but we had to wait about 15 min before she got her nerve up. She almost only had one hole! They cry when they are babies too! Don't let anyone fool you saying it does not hurt as much, they just are not old enough to understand what is going on and that's when I think bringing pain without understanding is dangerous! I hate that I had my son circumcised when he was a baby and would never advise that to anyone.

A., I believe, personally, that piercing one's ears is a personal decision. It's a decision, in my own opinion, that should be made entirely by the person who's ears are getting pierced. With that said, I did not pierce my daughters ears until they asked for it. For my first daughter, she was 5, for my second daughter, she was 6. Despite what others will tell you, it hurts. I will challenge ANYONE who disputes this fact. I'm 37 and just got my 3rd holes yesterday and they are sore as heck and it was uncomfortable to sleep on my ears last night. My daughters were old enough to understand that it would indeed hurt so they were prepared for the two weeks that they would feel discomfort. As for anyone telling you that it's wrong, well, if it's what you truly feel is necessary at this point or you feel it's the right thing to do, then pay no attention to anyone who criticizes you for your decision.

I got my daughters ears pierced when she was 3 months old. And I had the same thing. People that thought it was cute and others that openly voiced how wrong it was. First off, its not a tourture to pierce thier ears. My daughter flinched from the sound of the gun, and cried for about 2 mintues and then just fell asleep, and they never bothered her after that. She loves them now, and I think she would already be asking me for them if I hadn't done it already. what it comes down to is that its your child. There for until she is 18, its your decision. If you really think its something she is going to like later in life then there is no sense in you taking into consideration what other people have to say. If they want an opinion then when they have children they don't have to pierce their daughters ears. But if its something that you want to do... by all means, don't let anyone hold you back.

I had my daughters ears pierced at 3 months. We found a place that had two people working and they did both ears at the same time. My daughter cried for just a couple of minutes and all was done. She never messed or tugged at her ears. As long as you are willing to take care of them properly and it's when you wish to do it, go for it. In some cultures they pierce their daughters ears at birth. Good luck with your decision!

Hi,

Our Leilani got her ears pierced at 3 weeks. We went to her Mid-wife and she did them herself.

I personally think there's nothing wrong in piercing a baby's ears that young of age.

She's now going on 8 months and those little pearls are still hanging on and she receives plenty of compliments on how cute and feminine she looks.

I'm latin, and in our culture it's the norm. besides if you have a baldy little girl, wouldn't you want her to look like she's a girl and not a boy???

blessfully my little Lei was born with a full set of hair and with those cute pearls she has such beautiful combination!

I have triplets 2 who are girls..I pierced their ears when they were 3 months old right after they had their necessary shots..I think it is less tramatic and they don't pull on them that way and you can clean it so it doesn't get infected...They are 4 1/2 now...

All of mothers opotions are different than others. if Mother feel more comfortbable to let piering baby's little ears. I have seen alot of babies with ear pierces, I thought they are beauiful. I was at mall with my 2 years old girl. she asked me she wants to have ear pierces I said "fine, let to get them" my girl smiled and have it done. she never complaint about ear pireces she love to look pretty with ear pierces and necklace, etc... my girl feels like she's princess. it is important for her self esteem and be happy.

wish you luck, Don't be worry about other people view just follow your heart what best for you to do with ur daughter.

Hi A.,

I waited until my daughter asked to have her ears pierced. She was 4. The down side is that she was afraid and it took 3 trips to the mall to actually get the deed done! I probably should have waited a little longer - or done it sooner. When it came time to change her earrings, she was afraid that it was going to hurt again. She's 8 now, and it's only been in the last 6 months or so that she doesn't fight every time we change them. She still wears her piercing studs most of the time because they don't have to come out every night. It really all depends on what you want. If you end up piercing them now, my only advice would be to see if the doctor will do it for you. Good Luck!

Hi A., I had my daughter's ears pierced at that age, and though she briefly cried, it didn't last longer than 5 seconds. I did not do it at a mall though, I had it done at her pediatrician's office. The pediatrician actually asked me if I'd like to do it as many parents do it at that time. As soon as I distracted my daughter with a toy, she totally forgot about crying. I think the older the person is, the more likely they are to get scared of the needle (since they are aware versus an unaware baby), and the more likely they will cry, scream, freak out, and feel pain. I never had a big problem with needles as a baby, but now that I see them and am aware of the fact I will get punctured at any minute, I fidget, scream, shake, and freak out, even though I'm too old for that, lol. Anyway, I hope you know what I mean when I say kids don't realize it as much as adults. The only thing I would wait on is multiple piercings in the ears, as when you see a girl with 2 earrings on, side by side, in one ear, I would let my daughter decide if she wants that when she is a teen.

Unfortunately as long as we are parents we are going to be judged. We will never make everyone happy or agree with us. I personally find nothing wrong with the ear piercing. Both my sister & I got both our daughters ears pierced when they were 3 months old. That is the age my specific place would do it so as soon as she turned that age, I brought her in. Mother knows best!

I have 2 daughters -- 4 1/2 years old and 5 1/2 months old -- Their pediatrician's office pierces ears at 4 months and I had them both done then. It is better to pierce their ears young so they do not remember later on. Also, if you wait, they may not want them done because they will be too afraid.

J. F., Florida

I got my daughters ears pierced at age 6 months. Her pediatrician did it in the office. (It made me feel better..lol) But, I'm glad I did. She never ever pulled on her earrings. I guess every child will be different with that, but I personally think with my daughter it's because it was just normal for her. She's 6 1/2 now and has been going through a phase where she doesn't want to wear earrings. The holes take forever to close up so I am still able to make her wear them for pictures. lol

I have two daughters, and I had both of their ears pierced at three months.

As for the breastfeeding...hang on to it for as longs as you can. I had to give it up with my third child long before I wanted to.

A.,
I don't have a daughter but hope to some day. I feel that I would pierce her ears that early. Of course I could change my mind by then but for now I don't think its a problem. I had mine pierced very young and I never resented my mom for making that decision for me. In fact all of my friends that had their ears pierced as a baby never had a problem with it...but the ones who didn't did. They wanted their ears pierced. So I think its your call for sure. Just one thing though, make sure you don't do it at the mall. Many pediatrician's offices do them now for a very small fee. Its cleaner and safer that way.

Also, I read in your profile that you are struggling with nursing. I nursed my son for the first year (he just turned 1 two weeks ago) I am currently weaning him off now. I feel its important to tell you that I'm not a super mom either...which at week 3 of his life I thought I had to be to continue nursing for another year. Here's a few tips that worked for me:
Take it day by day for the first month.
Then week by week the second - third months
then month by month for the next 3 mths until month 6. If you still want to nurse at that time you will most likely have a routine down and will continue until you both are ready to be done. My definition of day by day is to only focus on the here and now. Do it for the day and see how it goes. Then the same for the next day.

Just so you know...I chose to pump and nurse even though I'm a stay at home mom. But choose to do this carefully. Pumping can decrease your milk supply if you don't do it correctly. In the first few weeks/month your baby should nurse on demand. If you pump then you're most likely going to get discouraged because you think that you're not producing enough.

Just know that nursing is very much a natural option but it doesn't always come naturally. It takes dedication and a lot of emotion goes into it. But trust me. You will be so glad you did it in a few months...

I hope my rambling has helped. Good luck with everything. I wish you and your little one the best!

A.,
I say the earlier the better. I had all four of my girls done as early as 3 months and as late as 6 months...no problems....When we got permanent custody of one of our Grangirls, her Mom didn't want her ears done until later (don't know why, just because I ask) at that time I thought she would be getting the kidz back....didn't happen...sooooo at age 5 she ask and it was a DISASTER!!! Crying, pleading not to touch, turn, clean, etc...We felt like the monster GP's from HELL!!!! Sooooooo I say go for it! The girls look sweet and from early on they learn to care for the ears themselves and there is no pain or just a little that I ever noticed when it was done at an early age.

Good luck!

A.

I don't see anything wrong with it. I peirced my daughters ears 25 years ago when she was 2 months old. I figured if she didn't want them pierced then she could let them close. Which they will. This day forward she has 4 piercings in each ear. Her choice.

I pierced my little girl's ears. Do what you think is right and what you would want for your little one.

Just remember people always think that they know better than the mommie. That is why they are not the parent.

I didn't read all the responses, so I may be repeating something someone else has said. First off, I think it should be your choice, no matter what others think. I agree with making that choice an informed one, but she is your daughter, and whether or not have her ears pierced should be your decision. It is not torture, it is not really even that painful. A pinch, and the noise usually scares the babies, but that's it. I had my ears pierced at about 3 months old, and have in fact had them pierced additional times since reaching adult hood. My oldest neice had hers pierced at age 2-1/2 and never flinched or cried. My younger niece had hers pierced at about 6 months, and she only whined for a minute and was fine. I never had any problems with infection as I kept them clean and followed all instructions carefully. As for it being a choice for your daughter...when she is older if she does not like the earrings ahe can simply take them out and let the holes grow up. This does not result in any scar tissue, horrible scarring or anything like that. The holes simply shrink over time without anything in the hole to keep it open, until eventually you cannot even see it anymore.
Good luck with whatever you choose!

Hi
It is fine to do for your little girl, let your pediatician do it though..dont go to the mall.
Good luck

My only suggestion is to have it done at the pediatrician's office. If your prediatricina doesn't offer it......call Sawgrass Pediatrics in Coral Springs. ###-###-####.
My pediatrician prefers to wait until their 6 month check up so they have a few vaccines in them first. They do the piercing right in the office. Sterilized earrings are available and must be purchased in the office.

A.:

I had mine done when I was at the hospital. My siblings did too.

Now that we are in Florida my three nieces had them done after the first set of Shots and they were fine.
I really don't think is a big deal but is your decision and your husband's decision to make.

In the end, you will do as you please, but here is my opinion:
Besides cultural things that would make you want to do is as early as possible, I believe there is a time for everything. Babies grow so fast already that there is no reason to make them grow even faster!
I had my ears pierced when I was 10 and like other moms mentioned it, it was a milestone, and I felt proud to get the privilege to wear earrings like the grown-ups!
I will wait for my daughter to ask for them, and probably not let her pierce her ears too early if she asks before 9 or so!
and, truly, a baby girl does not need earrings to be cute anyway!

You're the mommy so you have to choose what you think is right. Personally, I have a 10 month old daughter and I get a lot of pressure from my whole family and my husband's family to pierce, but I think permanent body alterations (without medical necessity) should be her choice. My husband and I had decided before we knew the sex of our baby that we would not circumcise if we had a boy and although it's a less invasive procedure, I feel that piercing is also permanent and purely cosmetic so I will let her choose. Keep breastfeeding if you can - but don't feel guilty if you have to supplement. I would encourage you to go to breastfeeding support groups or La Leche League - they can help you a lot! Good luck!

I'm going to let my daughter ask for her ears pierced when she is big enough to be interested, and hopefully she'll also be old enough at the time to care for them while they are healing. I think piercing a baby's ears is unnecessary.

Well, it's your choice. Although I would wait because personally I think it was almost like a part of growing up having the anticipation of being able to make the decision whether or not to pierce my ears. The other thing I feel is I would like them to look forward to piercing their ears and not have their first piercing to be navel or something else at age 13. Just my opinion though and have many friends that pierced daughters ears, but I just wouldn't take that experience away from my daughter.

I would never say anything to anyone criticizing their parenting choices (unless a child was in immediate danger). We receive enough criticism and negativity.

I have no cultural reasons to pierce or not to pierce. I thought about it when my girls were babies, and in the end I felt they should decide. When my older daughter was 7, she wanted to get her ears pierced. My younger was 6, and asked if she needed to wait. My husband and I took them both to the mall, (to a store we saw used sterile equipment) and had two people do each child at the same time. Yes, they cried (actually, the older one, who wanted it done so badly screamed loud enough that mall security came!) They were (and still are) proud that they were able to decide. But, you can decide otherwise and I would not judge. I think the babies with earrings are adorable too!

personally I feel it is wrong, and should be something you later on let your child decide for herself. I have my ears pierced and now at 36 cant wear earrings any longer because the holes are so stretched so I just have holes in my ear now forever.I have two daughters my older one I had hers pierced, I was young, but my second I'm not piercing...

I personally wouldn't pierce a baby's ears. I think that if a girl wants her ears pierced, she can get them done when she's older. If not, save the baby the tears.

i think that it's up to you. i wouldn't pierce my daughters ears until she wants them. i wouldn't want to take the chance on them becoming infected when she was so young. plus when they're little they could pull on them and all sorts of stuff. but i guess it really depends on the child. obviously theres thousands of little girls out there who have their ears pierced.

You've got to decide what's going to work best for you. I got my daughter's pierced at 4 months, but they did it at the doctor's office, and the doctor did it. As far as breastfeeding - keep going! It can get harder as they get older, but for me, the benefits really outweighed the negatives.

Hi A.! When I see a little girl with her ears pierced, I in no way judge the parents..but that said, I personally believe in waiting until the girl decides for herself. I think putting a hole in your body is a personal decision. I am liberal as a person, I even have my nose pierced..but I still would not pierce my daughters ears. As far as the breastfeeding, my advice is to keep going with it. Just because your friends gave up does not mean you have to. You are giving your daughter the gift of wonderful immune support. I breastfed my daughter until 13 months, and she did not need to see a dr for sickness until she was close to 2 1/2. If it is going well for you, don't give up. As a bonus, think how much more money you will have in your pocket from not paying for formula. If I were you I would do the math, and the next time your friends try to swing you their way, give them that as a rebuttal! Good luck!
A. C.

Hi A.,

I pierced my daughter's ears when she was 3 months and she's now 29 years old. They healed perfectly and she nor I regret that it was done at such an early age.

I was even told it was better to do it then than wait until later; that way you don't have to worry about the baby picking at the ears which could probably cause infection or lose the earrings.

Pierce them! I got my daughter's done at 4 months. They heal fast and your little one is too young to pull or touch them.

I have had friends that had them done at the mall and had no problem - - my Dr. office offers ear piercing, so I did it there.

Just make sure you take very good care if them!!!!!!!!!!!

I got my daughters ears pierced when she was 3 months old and it was the best thing I did. She never played with them. She is now almost 3 yrs old and she loves her earings. As for breastfeeding don't give up! It is much easier to continue then to switch to bottles. Enjoy your little one they grow fast!!!!

You will need to make the decision for yourself, but one thing to consider is your daughters temperament. My mother got my ears pierced when I was 6 months old and then when I was 2 y/o I threw a temper tantrum and pulled on my earring and almost split my ear lopes and pulled the earrings out. To this day I have problems with wearing earrings if they have any weight to them, so I am waiting with my daughter until she asks. Now she is almost 6 and hasn't shown any real interest yet. That being said, having pierced ears will lessen all the "oh what an adorable little boy" comments. Good Luck with the decision!!

B.

I had my daughter's ears pierced at that age (at the recommendation of our pediatrician), that way they would be just a "natural" part of her ear and she wouldn't play with them as much as she would if I waited until she was a toddler. He said otherwise I would need to wait until she was school-age and asked for it herself. She's 8 now and goes through phases of wanting to wear earrings and not wanting to wear them. I had it done at Wal-Mart and they did a great job.

Don't give up breast feeding! This is for your daughter, not your friends or anyone else who has an opinion. It's free and formula is very expensive. You can breast feed for as long as you want. I stopped when my son was about 15 months old. I wish I had gone longer. Many people recommend stopping at at least two years.
As far as ear piercing: do what you think is best. I have seen many baby girls at that age with earrings my whole life and they seem fine. Make an appointment with the ear piercing person and maybe you can get it done in private.
Enjoy your little one!

I wish I had my daughter's ears pierced as a baby. I even talked to the pediatrician to see if he would do it, but he talked me out of it.

Now, my daughter is 11. She has had her ears pierced twice and both times they have gotten infected (long after the piercing) and we have had to remove her earrings. Sadly, both times the hole quickly closed up. So, now we are looking at a THIRD ear piercing. I don't think I am going to take her this time until she is 16ish.

If I had of done it as a baby, she probably would not touch her ears with those nasty little fingers....

S.

Why stop at her ears? Do her tongue, belly button, nose, and eyebrows, too. And why not go ahead and get her tattooed?

I think doing something permanent to her body should be her choice when she is old enough to decide.

Also, my neice had the screw on kind that is supposed to be "safe" for babies... but I noticed one day that the back was missing! My sister had no clue how long it had been missing or where it could be-- she could have rolled over it in her crib and got hurt by it, especially if the earing itself with the sharp point had fallen out and been rolled on.

Do it whenever you feel it's best. I'd suggest getting it done at the pediatrician's office vs. the mall due to cleanliness and having a medical professional doing it. I did my daughter's at 5.5 months. I had mine done the old fashioned way with a needle when I was around 3-4 months. It's totally a personal decision.

Hi A.,

My daughter is now 17 years old. I had her ears pierced at 3 months old but I had it done at The Pediatricians office. SHe never played with her ears or pulled them. I felt that by getting it down at an early age she would just know they were thereand never play with them. Plus she was so bladheaded I had to make sure people knew she was a girl even though i dressed in her pink the earrings always made such a cute difference. I always put little studs in never hoops.

Hope this helps a little.

L.

I have a 2 year old daughter and decided it should be her decision whether or not she wants her ears pierced. I also am not about to dog people who have had their infant daughter's ears pierced. I would say however, that I would NOT do it at a mall. These people are untrained and you do not know how well they keep up their equiptment and sterilize it etc. My pediatrician will do it in their office. You should contact your pediatrician first. It is not usually advertised but most will do it in their office. Then you can feel comfortable that the equiptment is safe and that the person doing it is trained & know the body/where nerves are etc. If your pediatrician does not pierce they may be able to recommend a reputable place.

You do have to feel most comfortable with your decision. As the mother of a 6.5 year old girl who has not pierced her ears..... I see little babies with their ears pierced and think it's ridiculous like the kid is a commodity or novelty item-big frilly outfits, fluffy things on their head and then pierced ears just so everyone knows it's a little girl or like it's a stuffed animal to show off. This is MY opinion, obviously not many others or so many wouldn't do it. I have many earrings and many holes but I did these as an adult and it was my choice. I feel that my child is her own person and it's up to her to decide what she wants with her body as she matures (with obvious guidance). It is mutilation but to most (and to me too) it's a beautiful one. There simply is no reason to piece ears so young, especially if it's to make sure people know it's a girl.

My pediatrician will pierce ears at their office, but not before 6 months. Most places I've heard 6 months is the earliest they would do it.

A.,

It all depends on how soon you want to have to start taking care of them.
Personal opinion-let them make the choice of when or if they want them. My daughter waited til she was 9. She is old enough to take care of them herself and she is mature enough too. She made the choice and handled it well.
After all, they are HER ears, not mine.

Take Care,
T.
Mom of 4

Just my opinion, and I appear to be in the minority, but...
I waited with our daughter. She is 7 yrs. I will wait until she is older and asks about it. Then make a decision. So far, she's never even mentioned it. I didn't get my own done until I was 13. My mom/dad made it a "milestone" and I had to earn the privilege. Worked for me!
Bonus: mom never had to take care of my ears. Never had any infections (I was old enough to competently take care of them). And when learning stuff /playing sports as a smaller child I never had to worry about getting them caught on something and ripping them out, or losing them. (I have long hair, so does my daughter.. it can get wrapped around the earring fairly easily just taking a shower, swimming can be annoying for the same reason, if I don't put my hair back, I can only imagine with putting on bike helmet's etc).
Who knows, she may never decide she wants to do them. But, if she does, it is a simple type milestone. No need to jump straight to make-up or shaving, LOL. It gives kids a sense of accomplishment and confidence to be able to EARN privileges, and this seems like an easy one to me.
Again, just my opinion... others don't agree with me, obviously... :)

I have not read any of the responses, but just wanted to say, if you do decide to pierce, make sure you have the piercing done by your pediatrician in his office, and NOT at the mall. I only have boys, but I personally have no problem with baby girls with pierced ears. I think it's cute. Also, if you would let her get them done in a few years when she "asks", why not get them done now? I'm sorry, but I really don't see a difference. If people think an eight year old is capable of making that decision for herself, they are wrong. Even at that age, it is still the parent's choice to pierce or not pierce, not matter what the child asks for or wants.

Latin cultures pierce girls ears very early. If this is a family tradition, go ahead.Your pediatrician can do it safely,I wouldn't rely on the shops that do it at the mall. There will be a loud cry that will scare half the parents in the waiting room, but she'll probably sleep soon after.You'll need to keep the area clean and dry and it heals in a couple of days.
P.S. You are 24, so you're not growing old, we girls never do!