The Great Debate
This baby got her ears pierced and she survived 
There has been a pretty big debate going on in our house over the last week. To be honest, the debate is mostly in my own head. You may be asking yourself, what could be causing so much turmoil? Well… I can’t decide whether or not to get Braylin’s ears pierced. Let me rephrase that, I know that I want to get her ears pierced; I’m just not sure when I should make it happen.
Her pediatrician said that she would be fine to get them pierced after her first set of shots. The trouble is, I almost cried when she got her shots. I don’t know if I could handle seeing her get her ears pierced. On the other hand, I really want to get it done while she is young so that she won’t mess with them.
When I told a friend of mine that I wanted to pierce her ears, she was appalled. She said that I should let Braylin make the decision to get earrings when she is old enough. She has a valid point; however, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have their ears pierced, so I think it is safe to say she will want them to be pierced.
Ok, so we know that it is going to happen, the next question is where? I don’t think it is appropriate to take a newborn into a tattoo/ piercing shop, so I think that narrows my options down to WalMart, Claire’s, or that place in the middle of the mall.
What are your thoughts on piercing a baby’s ears? Where should I get them pierced?
I think sooner is better too. And most doctors in NJ do it, but idk about down here. I know my aunt waited until her daughter was 3 bc she wanted to wait until she asked. And she explained to her that if she gets them done she has to be careful not to touch them and she understood and she did great. So it’s all personal preference really. It’s your baby, so go for it!
Dusti,
First, I don’t think your’re crazy wanting your dd’s ears pierced. 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.
Second,I pierced our oldest daughter’s ears when she was six weeks old and our youngest at the same age. We found an experienced individual where they specialized in infant piercing following some suggestions from our ped who encouraged me to go ahead early.She had her dd’s done at Piercing Pagoda and recommended them due to their professional training and experience with infant ear piercing.
Fourth, my mom pierced my ears when I was 2 days old as and I’ve loved it….I think earrings on
little girls are adorable! If you don’t know how she’d look at any age, then hold up a pair of
your studs to your daughters ear and decide for yourself. 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?
Lastly, I think down deep, your mommy intuition is really telling you earlier is better to pierce
your dd’s ears now. You said it best in your comment, “… Let me rephrase that, I know that I want to get her ears pierced; I’m just not sure when I should make it happen.” The answer is yes, but your resisting a primal urge with one part of you secretly wanting your daughter’s ears pierced. I’d say go ahead and have it done soon and not worry about it anymore giving your daughter the “gift of pierced ears” now. She’ll thank you later when all the other girls in preschool see her with earrings and are envious of you being such a smart mommy for doing it when you could care for them and she didn’t remember having them done.
Did I say she’d look cute w/ little gold studs in each ear for her upcoming holiday pictures?
Please write me an e-mail if you would like our ped’s suggestions for moms having their dd’s ears pierced.
Amy
Amyswor@hotmail.com