Tuesday, June 8, 2010

To Pierce or Not to Pierce

I never knew this was a controversial issue, until I was pregnant with Julianna. I guess I thought piercing a baby's ears was just something that the majority of people did. Maybe because 1.) My ears were pierced when I was a baby. 2.) The majority of girls I knew growing up had pierced ears as well. So when I discovered this was an issue for some, I was surprised. When I found out I was having a girl, I never even thought twice about whether or not I would be piercing her ears when she was a baby.

Apparently I never thought twice about it and my hubby had never once thought about it! After more than a few discussions on the issue, we ended up deciding that we would go ahead and get them done now rather than waiting until she was older. And we both agreed she would definitely only be wearing tasteful studs, no hoops or dangling earrings until her teenage years!

We got them done this past Monday. It was fast and she cried less than when she got her shots. I think her Daddy thought she would be screaming her head off, but she didn't. She hasn't been acting any differently and hasn't showed any signs of pain or discomfort and will let me clean them with no problems!

I know some say "Well, what if she doesn't like earrings and wants them out?" if she does end up not liking them, she can take them out and never wear them again! That is the beauty of ear piercing -it is not permanent and can easily be changed. My mom never forced me to wear earrings. It was always my choice, sometimes I wore them and sometimes I didn't. I remember there was one year that I ended up not wearing them, but I was sure glad that the holes didn't close up when I wanted to put a pair in again!


How do you feel about getting your baby's ears pierced? Will you? Have you? Will you not?



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11 comments:

  1. I think it's a personal choice and there's no right or wrong answer. I guess what our parents did for us plays a big role in the decision. For me, it was a big deal when my mom took me to get my ears pierced. I can't remember how old I was but I remember how happy I was... my mom treated it like a milestone. That's why we're waiting until she's older. It is a sticky point for some parents but I see nothing wrong with it. It's actually cute to see a baby rocking little studs!

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  2. My mom took me to get my ears pierced when I was 5. I remember it clear as day, especially what my tiny little pink studs looked like. I was so excited to get it done and my mom made sure I knew that I was going to be taking care of my ears and if they got infected, that was it. They were out.

    The husband and I have had a few talks about ear piercing for Emilia and we have decided that we will wait until she's older. It might not be 5 when I got mine done, but it will be when she's old enough to take care of them herself.

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  3. I got my daughter's ears pierced at 6 months. I don't think it's a "big deal". But I know many families where they have to be in their teen's to get them. Why not? right!

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  4. My ears were pierced when I was I want to say 2? I barely remember it, and I don't remember any pain. Just a cool chair that I can spin in.

    I don't see any problem with it. The smaller they are, the better they take the pain. When they get older, of course, they're going to ask to get their ears pierced. It's apart of society. It's better for them to get it done and over with now than dealing with a annoying complaining tween.

    Check out Desperate for Coffee for a two new awards for you :-)

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  5. I do think they are cute on babies! But since I didn't have mine done until I was in 5th or 6th grade, then we will probably wait and treat it like a milestone (as another commenter put it). I don't think it's a big deal either way!

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  6. I had mine done when i was super young and don't remember it but my niece had hers done when she was about 3 or 4 and it was cute cause she got to pick out which earrings she wanted and everything. I def wont be getting my sons ear's pierced :) but when i have a girl I'm torn on when i should get them done because i think its adorable for babies to have little studs, but it would also be cute to have a mommy/daughter day when she's older. Oh, the tough decisions in life! Ha

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  7. I think it is a personal preference. I am going to wait with my daughter. There is no right or wrong, just a matter of preference. Have a great day!

    Mama Hen

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  8. Hey just saw your comment about Little Chick's little pool. You have to get one! They are so much fun! Julianna is still a munchkin, but soon! Have a great day!

    Mama Hen

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  9. Ashley,

    I think you’re were a smart mommy for piercing your dd’s ears early. Admittedly, I know a lot of people have strong feelings when to pierce a child’s ear. “Let them decide” is being replaced by parental decision when mommy intuition knows, “earlier is better” from either personal or friend’s experiences of unpleasant childhood ear piercing. I think it just depends on your own personal choice whether or not you wish your baby or little girl to have pierced ears.

    Some feel perceived gender of their child is important while others find it a cultural
    tradition where all infant girls have pierced ears. I pierced our oldest daughter’s ears when she was two months old and our youngest at just days old. We found an experienced individual where they specialized in infant piercing.

    My advice is to do them one at a time to insure they are perfectly centered. This may take 15 seconds longer, but will make sure they are not crooked later in life.

    Our oldest daughter just turned two and has never had an infection, pulled them out, and she’s never even played with her earrings (which is amazing in my book). My mom pierced my ears when I was 2 weeks old and I’ve loved it…I think earrings on little girls are adorable!

    Many moms including myself like the look of earrings on babies and little girls for no
    specific reason, but like how light plays off a simple gold ball on a bald baby girl or
    small gold hoop poking through the hair of a toddler.

    Cerebrally, as mothers of girls of all ages, we know it celebrates their femaleness and femininity. After all, they are little girls, right? Growing up I remember many of my little girlfriends were not allowed to get their ears pierced. I could never understand it…but when their parents did finally let them, it always seemed they’d get infected because they were constantly touching them or trying to change out the earrings before they were supposed too. Many said it was painful, but all cried having a great deal of angst leading up to and including the actual ear piercing.

    To each their own but I think the earlier the easier. If we have another girl, I will pierce
    her ears early as well. I took my youngest DD at days old after I asked our pediatrician and she encouraged me to go ahead before she aware of her surrounding or developed a pincer grip to play with her ears. She gave me some suggestions for moms having their daughter’s ears pierced. They seem to apply to all ages.

    Just when is the best time to pierce your daughter’s ears? It is when you are ready to care for them during the healing phase. They are very easy to care for. If you decide to do it as a newborn or infant, then I promise she’ll thank you later!

    If any moms are thinking about it, then don’t hesitate to write me an e-mail.

    Amy

    amyswor@hotmail.com

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  10. I never thought twice about it either! It was just always something I knew we would do if I had a girl. I know some of it is cultural too... my family being Cuban pierces baby girl's ears when they are very little babies... mine were pierced when I was 2 weeks old! I plan on doing the same thing if we have any more girls... if they don't like them (which I never known a girl who doesn't) they can take them out like you said :)

    Cute blog BTW... thanks for the email!

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  11. hey there...you have a new follower! i found ya from kate's blog mommy monologues!!!

    my oldest dd has her's pierced did it when she was 2 and now she 9! we are very girlie and i never gave it a 2nd thought that if i had more girls they would have her ears pierced!

    UNTIL i got remarried...he has forbidden me to pierce our daughters ears...UGHHHHHHHHHH actually it's probably a good choice...my 9 yr old never ever touched her ears or bows on her head...my 20 m old rips everything off that touches her....SO i'll wait for now! not by choice! :o)

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