When and where to get childs ears pierced?

smartie12

For a parent to chose if a child has earrings or not is hardly the same as making other decisions such as being vaccinated, having nappy changed etc!

Buttonmoons

I had mine done at around the age of 1, my mum sent my gran in with me as she couldn't watch (yet wanted them done) they actually got the piercing gun stuck in one of my ears (I apparently didn't cry with the first one) but I did when the gun got stuck, so now my "holes" are a bit squint, not that anyone would notice, but I do

I personally couldn't let someone pierce a baby, it just seems cruel and unnecessary, OH's mother is from Singapore and in her family, it's the norm for them to be pierced early. Different strokes, though wish she would stop trying me to get my DD's (3) done. She can get them done when *she* wants them done, and when I feel she is able enough to take good care of them. Not because I think she will look cute/pretty/adorable with some studs in her ears!

I think at age 6, if she understands how she will have to keep them clean etc, then fair enough, just make sure she understands that it will hurt (not that I'd know, can't remember) but I remember when my sister was about 9, and wanted her ears pierced, well the first one went in and she SCREAMED, and wouldn't let them pierce the other one. So she looked a bit daft with one pierced ear!

WolfSong2000

Personally I think 6 is a bit young, but different strokes for different folks. As for where to get your ears pierced - please, please, please avoid Claire's. The horror stories I've heard - not cleaning equipment, under-trained staff, etc. I had mine done in a jeweler, and tbh wouldn't even recommend that, as they did mine wonky, plus they got really badly infected so had to let them close up. Best bet, as others have said, would be to go to a specialist piercing centre - also, go for steel over gold, and definitely avoid gold plate and silver.

I've heard sleepers are better than studs, as are less likely to get caught on stuff, but don't quote me on that...I used to work in a jeweler (didn't pierce ears) and heard the tip from a few customers .

maytaurus

smartie12 wrote: »

For a parent to chose if a child has earrings or not is hardly the same as making other decisions such as being vaccinated, having nappy changed etc!

Did you not make any decisions for your child/children (if you have any)
that others may not have agreed with?

juno

Simultaneous piercing is the worst idea ever. With any gun piercing you risk going into body shock, and this risk is increased with little kids. Add simultaneous piercings, and you've got twice an unnecessarily high risk.

And it won't be exactly simultaneous, so if the piercing makes you jump the later one won't go in the right place. Gun placements are never accurate anyway so you could end up with one very wonky piercing.

And in Claire's Accessories and places the seats are in the window, so get lots of lovely germs from people passing. I once saw a baby sitting on the seat and dribbling on it, and I bet it wasn't cleaned properly afterwards. The "piercer" just has to put their hand there and then anywhere near your ear and you've got baby dribble in your new piercing. Mmmm, delightful.

Guns themselves aren't sterile, but that's already been said. They force a blunt stud through your ear, and tear it. If you're thinking "but they're sharp!" to that, think again. Remember you have to sleep with them in for at least 6 weeks, so they can't be that sharp otherwise you'd get a hole in your neck.

Of course, I have used "you" all the way through. You won't be getting the piercing, your children will. Hopefully you care enough about them to realise gun piercings are a stupid idea.

smartie12

To wear earrings is someones choice. I chose to have my ears done and no-one else... especially not my mother!

To have a nappy changed is a necessity.

maytaurus

smartie12 wrote: »

To wear earrings is someones choice. I chose to have my ears done and no-one else... especially not my mother!

To have a nappy changed is a necessity.

Oh well each to their own smartie
It's just like you choosing whether or not to have children and live together or marry
It's all down to personal choice

smartie12

maytaurus wrote: »

Did you not make any decisions for your child/children (if you have any)
that others may not have agreed with?

Can't think of any decisions I made that were disapproved of!

You obviously accept people don't agree with your decision to get baby's ears pierced;)

So why question people's views??

smartie12

maytaurus wrote: »

Oh well each to their own smartie
It's just like you choosing whether or not to have children and live together or marry
It's all down to personal choice

My decision to wear earrings wasn't really on the same level as deciding to get married:rotfl:

Sorry OP for taking over your thread:o

amilotte

I once went into Claires and observed a Mother BRIBING her small (I would say 5 if that) to get her ears pierced. The poor child was crying her eyes out I was utterly gob smacked! What disgusted me further was that the girl who was doing the piercing was also trying to talk the child into it..... that to me is completely wrong, she should have refused point blank to do it at all. They managed to get the first ear done and I'm sure you can imagine the poor childs response, she screamed and screamed I had to leave the shop I was so disgusted so who knows whether they managed to do the other ear!

In my opinion I hate to see children with their ears pierced, I think its naff but each to their own and all of that. My daughter who is 9 has been asking since she was 6 to have hers done but I'm not budging she will have to wait until secondary school. I had to wait till I was 15, it made me mad at the time but I see now why my parents didn't allow it - (I just wished I'd also listened to their opinions of tattoos when I was 21 but didn't and now regret it!!!)

I would say that as other posters have said 10 is probably a suitable age from a responsibility point of view. I only chose secondary school for my daughter as I don't like how it looks on children, the age a child can manage with a piercing is a different matter.