[HileryS]

Hello everyone,
My husband and I are considering piercing our daughters ears. I want to for a variety of reasons one being that in Guatemala that is a typical cultural thing to do which was not done because our foster mother wanted us to make the decision. We like the idea but I have reservations because of the pain involved and because of well... my parents are completely against it and feel like it should be the child's decision when they are older.

Any advice out there?

Hilery

[athena09]

I was not allowed to get my ears pierced until I was 16 and only one set. I worked at a piercing place for a while and pierced ears, infants to adults. It really doesn't hurt bad, the noise and initial shock is the worst. Don't let anyone persuade you to do something your not sure of. If you want to, wait till she is old enough to decide on her own. Pierced ears sometimes are easier when they are very small because they don't have as much of a tendency to play with it. Again though, do what you feel comfortable with.

Best of luck!!

[wvamom]

I would probably wait, just because of the inconvenience. But, I also don't think it's a big deal either way.

When I was growing up, I had a big fight with my parents because I wanted to get my ears pierced and they thought I was too young. I vowed not to have that fight with my children. I let my older daughter get her ears pierced when she was 8, and old enough to take care of them. That worked out fine. But when our younger daughter was 6 she wanted to get hers done then. She was too young--she did not keep her ears clean and they kept getting infected. It was a major hassle.

Of course, you may have other reasons for making your decision. I don't think there is one right or wrong answer. Good luck!

Carolyn

[annaguat]

If you decide to have it done go some where there are two "guns" and two people so both ears are done the same time. Besure the earings are loose enough so you can clean the back and front real well. Walmart and Target will usually have these services and will also carry earrings with safety screw on backs. As for your parents, she is your DD they could make those decissions for their children. Obiously they do not like it but I am sure there will be more things they do not like that you decide. Anna

[annaguat]

Oops missed the note about the foster mother. do what is right for you and your DD do not let anyone pressure you one wqay or another. Hugs, Anna

Originally Posted by HileryS

Hello everyone,
My husband and I are considering piercing our daughters ears. I want to for a variety of reasons one being that in Guatemala that is a typical cultural thing to do which was not done because our foster mother wanted us to make the decision. We like the idea but I have reservations because of the pain involved and because of well... my parents are completely against it and feel like it should be the child's decision when they are older.

Any advice out there?

Hilery

[MNStarr]

I think its a decision that everyone has to make based on what they are comfortable with. For me if Olivia came with pierced ears on the pick up day that would be ok, I realize the cultural difference. But if she didn't I certainly wasn't going to pay someone to inflict pain on my little girl. The foster mom didn't pierce her ears, she wanted us to decide. I will wait until she is a little older, maybe 6 on her golden birthday or something like that.

[aniles]

I used to think it was really cute when little babies had their ears pierced until I actually saw a baby get her ears pierced. I have never heard screams like that from another child. It was horrible and I felt so sorry for the little baby. Plus, it's so much fun when you are older to finally be allowed to go to the mall and get your ears pierced with your mom and friends. It's definitely something that sticks out in my mind as a something special I did with my mom because I wanted it SOOOO badly and I was finally allowed!

[etaag]

We waited until my daughter asked, so it was her decision. She was 5, and didn't cry. But with in a short matter of time (about 3 or 4 months), we realized she was allergic to everything, even gold, silver, and nickel. Her ear turned black on the backside and got really thick, it was aweful. The doc said to wait until she is older and try again (he had to dig it out, her ear was so swollen on the back). She is now 7 and begging to have it done again! The nurse did give me some advice that I didn't know about, she said they make plactic sleeves to go over the post, so the metal does not actually touch her ear. I will try that next time. Just remember to watch out for allergic reactions!


Melissa

[Steffie]

Funny you should ask this question now. Just last weekend my sister and I had the unfortunate experience of seeing a baby getting her ears pierced in the mall. IT WAS HORRIBLE! She screamed and screamed. I cannot imagine intentionally inflicting pain on a baby like that. They have to go through enought with shots, etc. Based on what I witnessed, I would recommend not doing it until she is much older.

[PackGirl]

I think it may be eaiser to have the piercing done when the child is younger. As someone who has had multiple pierces done, I would caution as to having them done with a "gun" as apposed to a sterile needle.
I have had 3 ear pierces done with a needle and 1 done with a gun. NEVER AGAIN!
The pain from a needle is minimal as a needle is designed to "cut through". The gun however forces a blunt object through the ear lobe.
The mall stores will not offer pierces with a needle. (good thing! as I'm not sure most department store workers are actually even trained with the ear gun)
Our tattoo places around here, will pierce with a needle with parental permission. All of the ones I have used will open the clean needle in front of you and they also have sterile jewlery there.
It is a personal decision...either way you decide, is fine. Ear piercing is one of those things that is correctable.

JMHO

[Belenbaby]

I had Belen's ears pierced at 18 months old(she came home at 15 months) we did it at a Claires in the mall. There wer 2 peope who did it together. She whimpered a few minutes then never touched them again. I was afraid she would pull them out, but she never did. I just love the tiny little earrings she wears!!!!

[Yelena]

When I was growing up, ear piercing was something that was reserved for "grown ups" and older kids -- it was not common at all in my culture for little girls or babies to have pierced ears. But of course I wanted mine pierced! I wanted to wear pretty big hoops like my mom's. So she told me that I could have them done on my 8th birthday. Why 8th? I have no idea, but that's what she said! So, as promised, she took me to our family doctor and he pierced them for me -- back then, they didn't do ear piercing in the mall! Afterwards, we went to lunch and she took me shopping for all kinds of pretty new earrings. It was a great day, and I look forward to having a day like that with my daughter. That's why I won't pierce her ears until she wants to have them done.

No one at our agency has asked if we have a preference, and the foster mom didn't say anything about it during our visit. So far, no earrings in the update photos! But if they do pierce her ears in Guatemala, I won't fuss...I'll just take a photo, remove them when we get home and put them in a safe place, then give them to her when she's older, along with the story of their significance.

[my2guats]

Hi,
We pierced our DD's ears when she was 14 months old. She did just fine and never bothered her ears. Now at 26 months she loves having her ears pierced and loves having "pretty earings." We decided to do this because we know how significant it is in Hispanic cultures but also because we personaly think it looks beautiful. We would do the same with our bio daughter so for us it was a personal choice. If we have another girl we will probably do it right away when we bring her home.

[Lemonia]

We brought our daughter home at 9 months and within a couple of weeks had her ears pierced. The only time she cried was when the beautician marked the spot. It seemed more of an annoyance to my daughter than painful. When your older you anticipate pain and become squemish. none of that with an infant. I was 8 when I had mine done and did not look forward to the pain. Just squeeze some alcohol off a cottonball front and back of ear daily. Very easy.
nitsa

[kuka]

I am from Spain, and we use to pierce the ears when the baby is born. It is noa problem, the baby don't feels that much pain, and do not remember any infections at all. Now I live in USA, my bio daugther wanted to have hers ears pierced and I was ok with that. She was 8 years old. It was painful, she cried. She had few infections even if she take care of it, and keep it clean and all that, but they are kids. I think it is more easy when they are babies. I will recomend to do it when thay are small.