Ear Piercing - Pueblo, CO

My oldest was done at 2 months, we had no problems, we got good earrings and never changed them unitl she was older. We had no problems. My middle DD was around 8 when we had it done (not bio)she was more traumatized by it then any of them. She knew it would be painfull and worked herself up before we even got there, but insisted on doing it, but there were no actuall problems with it, my youngest DD was done just before her 1st b-day, and again no problems.

Really it is a matter of preference, it is not hard to keep them clean and turn them.

I think at her age you need to wait.
Personally I have seen too many of my daughters friends that have had infections, ripped out earrings, you name it.
I see when people do it as babies and that may work as they are healed by the time they are so active and in school and stuff.

I told my daughter when she was old enough to take care of them, keep them clean, manage it herself then I would take her. She is 7 and still hasn't made that choice, I know she wants them but also now understands through her friends what a big responsibility it is.

I just don't think 3 year olds need earrings. Doesn't make sense, they are little girls and not able to take care of them the right way, they will be running around on the playground before too long and get dirty hands. I just don't understand rushing little girls into big girl things, let them be little girls. I would ask the aunt to drop the subject and put a age on it maybe so they can look forward to it, like at 6 or 7 and tell her that is so she can make sure it is a good experience and more able to prevent infections.

you are going to get mixed opinions on this subject as did I when I posted a long time ago. I got my daughters done at 3 mos. I think its a personal choice as to when. My daughter loves her earrings now (2years old) she will touch them and say ooh my earrings? The only issue may be with a 3 year old is her touching them during the healing process which may cause irritation and infection. If you can deter her from doing so I don't really see any problems.

Hi J.,

I was never of the mindset when I found out I was having a girl that I would pierce her ears at a very young age. I had pierced ears (and didn't get them done until I was around 8 or so), but as the years went on they got so sensitive that I could only wear platinum - and who can afford that? Everything else made my ears itch - even if I only had them in for a very short time and made sure the earrings were meticulously clean before putting them in. Wasn't like that at first, just as the years went on. Anyway, (like you really wanted to know all that, right? lol) our daughter is three and I wouldn't think of having her ears pierced before she was capable of taking care of them herself. The only reason your daughter wants it done is because of the aunt that keeps egging her on, otherwise she probably wouldn't have even known to want something like that at her age. If you don't want the hassle of the cleanings and such, you could always just get her some clip on earrings - or make them yourself. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Joanns all sell the supplies and they are really not that expensive to make. That way, they wouldn't look old lady-ish (like some clip ons in the stores do) or be the plastic play jewelry, but real earrings. And you could even take her with you to pick out the beads and such - that might appease her until she is old enough to really know she wants her ears pierced and can take care of them herself. There are several earring books at the library if you need ideas or instructions on different looks, or you could try the fire mountain gems website, they have a "catalog" of project ideas and instructions that are free online. Good luck!

My mom made us wait until we were able to take care of them ourselves. This included understanding the why's and how's. Even if we understood but could not change them ourselves, we still had to wait. All 4 of were right around 8 when this occured. I plan to do the same with my daughter. My sister has also set the same boundaries with her 5 girls. I feel that as moms we have enough thing to worry about and to remember, why add to the stress by piercing the ears of a child to small to care for them on ther own. Earings are not a need out of life, so I figure it can wait.

I have yet to get any of my girl's ears pierced (my oldest is 13). I feel like that is one thing to hold off on until they are old enough to care for the piercings themselves. I feel like I have enough things to look after without having to worry about infections and turning the earrings and such....let them do it themselves.
J.

I am sure you will get alot of advice for and against it from all the mommies on here! It really is a personal preference for you though! No one should be making oraltering your personal views on it-I had to wait until I was 13 to get mine-My mom also had hers done at the same time-That said it really bugged me that most of my friends had them pierced and wore cute earrings every day! So I had my kids done really early-6 weeks for most-until my last was born and then Wal-mart would not do it until she was 3 months and provided proof that she had her 3 month shots! I always have them use 2 people-one on each side so it is done at the same time-cause sometimes people freak out and do not want the second one done at all! LOL! My oldest is 25 next month and the youngest is 4-we have not had problems with infections, ripped ears-just lost earrings and the trauma over that can be interesting with girls! BUT with all that said-DO NOT LET SOMEONE ELSE BROWBEAT YOU INTO DOING SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT READY TO TAKE CARE OF FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE! Stick to you guns and do what you feel is right for you and your daughter! GOOD LUCK!!

I'd suggest waiting. My mom made me wait until I was old enough to take care of them myself. Like someone else mentioned, I too cannot wear them any more due to allergies that developed after a while and just continued to get worse. I finally gave up since I got an infection every time I tried. I'd talk to the aunt and tell her this is not something you want to do at this time and you would appreciate her not encouraging it. You can offer that, when the time comes, you'd be more than happy to let her be the one to take your daughter, if you do feel that way. GL!

Of course this is your decision and I won't give you my opinion on what is right for your daughter. You asked for other mom's experiences so I will share that with you. My older daughter had hers pierced at 4. She was kind of scared (although she definitely wanted it done) but it went very well. I had no problem keeping her ears clean and free of infection. My main thing was having her wear very small studs when she was small. When she was older, she was wearing a chunky pair and slightly ripped her lobe while wrestling. We had it re-pierced in a slightly different spot and put her back in tiny studs until she was older. At 13, she had her cartilege(sp?) pierced. With my younger daughter, I actually got them done at 3. My reason for going younger was that one of my initial goals was to not have them be scared. Since my older one was scared at 4, I did go younger and she did great. They had 2 people , one on each ear, at the same time so that it was over with immediately. It was very non-traumatic. Again, I had no issues with keeping them clean. It was just part of the daily routine. With her, though, we do have to buy earrings for sensitive ears or real gold. Her ears do get irritated. But now at the age of 10, she doesn't even remember having it done and she's never had a problem apart from sensitivity. But the bottom line here is, you should do this when YOU are the most comfortable, be it now or when she is older. It's not like it's a moral issue or anything. Good luck!

You are the Mommy. Her Aunt is not. If you are not ready for her to have her ears pierced, then tell your little 2 year old, "No." I agree with the other Mom who says you need to have a conversation with the Aunt. Just ask her to please refrain from talking to your daughter about getting her ears pierced until you think she is at the appropriate age. When that time comes, you can invite the Aunt to go with you to get it done and have lunch after. Make it a girlie day she will remember when she is older. In my opinion, this is a perfect opportunity to use your parenting skills to teach your daughter you are the authority. If she gets her way, she will be learning that she can get her way again by begging and whining. Kids figure that one out real early. Now, if you agree with your husband that it would be ok do get it done for her birthday, then make that the answer. Tell her that she can get her ears pierced on her birthday, but you don't want to hear her begging to get them done before then. Either way, assert your authority and make sure you set the boundaries with the Aunt.

I pierced my daughters a few days after her 2 month shots and I have never had any problems.