Baby Girl Ear Piercing

[Krissy! 0]

Hi Annie!

Well, I'd like to chime into this topic....

We're in a generation and culture where it is "expected" that everyone has pierced ears... and I've heard that the younger, the better -- as it reduces the chance of infection and grabbing.... but with Zain around... be careful! However, it has been reported that it's often that earrings are embedded into the babys' lobes. It takes greater care at the young age.

I do, though, agree with Hoomswife's take on kids being kids!

I didn't have my ears pierced until I was 12.... it was an exciting time. However, it got teared in my left lobe because a school friend grabbed it trying to take a look-see. So that sucked, and my earrings are never even. I got 2nd holes pierced so I put the bigger/prettier earrings in the 2nd holes and smaller studs in the original holes *shrugs*

On the practice of piercing -- I heard and agree that the use of piercing guns is too traumatic for the body, so it is advised, if possible, to go the traditional (but sterile) method.

[S and S 12]

I had this talk with my husband as well. I am totally against piercing our daughter's ears should we have daughters (inshallah). It is taking a decision out of their hands. I was so angry with my mother for forcing me to get earings when I was young. Eventually I got rid of them and the holes grew back, lol. Later, when I was 9 years old I finally decided for myself I wanted them and I took care of them myself.

I don't think earings in babies is cute at all. Honestly it makes me ill to my stomach, but each person has the right over their child so I will not judge. I just want to cry thinking how the baby just had such a big decision taken from them with no consideration. I feel babies are cute without earings. If God wanted babies to have holes in his ears, he would have put them there. Let the baby girls grow up a litte and make the decision for themselves. I'm sorry, but this subject really makes me cry because I feel it is abuse. Most people see no problem with it. I guess they are fine with doing what "everyone else does" and not considering what is actually right.

My husband insists we should get our daughters ears pierced. He asked if I will go against him and "disobey him". I told him no, he can go himself and take any daughters we may have and get their ears done by himself. Then he can care for and clean the babies ears himself. I will be too busy crying for the first months every time I see my child and what was done to her precious ears. Sorry, I feel very strongly about this subject.

[Der Bücherwurm 1]

It only took seeing one woman with a permanently ripped in half earlobe for me to be against small children getting pierced ears. There is so much potential for a small child to have a playmate accidentally rip the earring out and when they get older there's the potential that a schoolyard bully might intentionally rip it out.

I think it's better to let the kids wait and have it be a nice sweet 16 ritual.

Here's the Pediatric's view of piercing a baby's ears.:

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/yourbabywee...y_wk_five_9.htm

Quote:

the American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend that you "postpone the piercing until your child is mature enough to take care of the pierced site herself."

This can help avoid some of the risks of baby ear piercing, including:

infection - younger infants have immature immune systems, so they might not be able to fight off an infection at the site of the piercing very well.

choking hazard - if they get the earring off.

allergic reactions - to the metals in the earrings (especially nickle and gold) she wears, but which can be hard to notice since infants normally rub their ears a lot.

embedded earring - this occurs when one part of the earring goes into the earring hole and gets embedded inside. Although this can happen at any age, it can be harder to remove from infants.

If you love your child why would you risk even the smallest chance of hurting it for something so purely selfish and incredibly superficial?

The baby doesn't want or need it. It is these crazy parents using their children as props that want it so they can have an accessory. But a child is not an accessory.

Edited September 21, 2008 by Hoomsfuturewife

[S and S 12]

It only took seeing one woman with a permanently ripped in half earlobe for me to be against small children getting pierced ears. There is so much potential for a small child to have a playmate accidentally rip the earring out and when they get older there's the potential that a schoolyard bully might intentionally rip it out.

I think it's better to let the kids wait and have it be a nice sweet 16 ritual.

Here's the Pediatric's view of piercing a baby's ears.:

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/yourbabywee...y_wk_five_9.htm

Quote:

the American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend that you "postpone the piercing until your child is mature enough to take care of the pierced site herself."

This can help avoid some of the risks of baby ear piercing, including:

infection - younger infants have immature immune systems, so they might not be able to fight off an infection at the site of the piercing very well.

choking hazard - if they get the earring off.

allergic reactions - to the metals in the earrings (especially nickle and gold) she wears, but which can be hard to notice since infants normally rub their ears a lot.

embedded earring - this occurs when one part of the earring goes into the earring hole and gets embedded inside. Although this can happen at any age, it can be harder to remove from infants.

If you love your child why would you risk even the smallest chance of hurting it for something so purely selfish and incredibly superficial?

The baby doesn't want or need it. It is these crazy parents using their children as props that want it so they can have an accessory. But a child is not an accessory.

I totally agree with you

[Staashi 371]

My sister, mother and I got our ears pierced when we were 9, 7 and 39. I never had any problems, but my sister's earrings got embedded/infected and my dad had to perform surgery. Her skin had formed nodules around the earrings' posts and backs. It was just a really disgusting visual - blood, pus, and little gold posts. My sister never had any problems later on - she still has pierced ears, but we talk about her experience from her childhood and can laugh about it.

My advice is to wait when she can take care of them herself...let her ask for them and make her work for them - do chores, take care of the cat - and make her be responsible for their care (with a mother's watchful eye).

[sereia 0]

Well, since I'm here I might as well butt in with my opinion...

If I ever have children I will wait until they ask me before I would pierce their ears. Not everyone wants it, so why not let them have the choice?

[angie & abed 1]

Even though I think little girls are cute with their ears pierced, I think it is better for the girl to decide on her own, I had mine pierced when I was 7. I don't think I was even ready then! Everyone in Lebanon was pressuring me to have Malak's ears pierced while we were there; mama, sisters, brothers, grandma, aunts....but I won! She is almost 11 months old and her ears are free of holes. She was always rubbing her ears and I just knew she'd rip earrings out, or, like Sara said....rip them out on purpose cause she is so freaking nosey. In our house, it will be a decision she will make for herself when she is old enough.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

great topic! I am against baby girls getting their ears pierced.

1st bcz when I was a baby I had my ears pierced and they got infected and it happens often. Now I have a new hole right above the one from when I was a baby.

2nd I dont think its necessary for the baby to have earrings and it should be when they are older and mature.

3rd bcz I hate seeing babies in my walmart always getting their ears pierced, it breaks my heart to see them sleeping and then the moms take them out and hold them tight just to have their ears pierced ... then the crying, red faced, sad look starts... its hard to watch and I feel bad for the babies.

I havent talked to Adam about it yet, but Im sure he would agree with my decisions.

[stardusted 0]

I had mine pierced as a baby. Most Indian girls do. I am glad it was done when I was so young because when I got second piercings in my ears at 23, I was scared out of my mind. If I had a daughter I would have hers pierced young as well. Jewelry (and gold) is a pretty important part of Indian culture, at least within my community and family. My aunt pierced her daughter's ears with a needle--it was quick and gentle, and not as damaging as guns.

[Ahmed N Tina 2]

I was so worried about the genital (mutilation) concerns with having a girl that I didn't even think of the ears. Talked to Ahmed about it today after reading this and he wants them done when our girl (if and when we have one) is very young. He didn't specify how young though. Guess this will be something I get to deal with too. (btw, we won't have to worry about the initial concern either. He got schooled)

[Nothing1234 2]

Well, I posted because today we had an appointment for Nour at 1pm. I wanted to know everyone's opinions and experiences.

BTW---We cancelled and will not be rescheduling anytime soon.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I think everyone has some great advice whether for or against.

(Next up, should babies lay on their back or belly) JOKING

Thanks everyone!

[S and S 12]

Well, I posted because today we had an appointment for Nour at 1pm. I wanted to know everyone's opinions and experiences.

BTW---We cancelled and will not be rescheduling anytime soon.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I think everyone has some great advice whether for or against.

(Next up, should babies lay on their back or belly) JOKING

Thanks everyone!

It was a good question and I'm glad you brought it up so we could at least know the pros and cons.

[Aymsgirl 0]

Nawal, love the superman and ballerina girl pics by the way!!

I never thought of this discussion but God granted me a son with my husband for a reason

I mentioned it to him last night and he said if we had a daughter and putting a hole somewhere that God didn't make one was terroristic!! He got himself all in a wad over it!

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Well, I posted because today we had an appointment for Nour at 1pm. I wanted to know everyone's opinions and experiences.

BTW---We cancelled and will not be rescheduling anytime soon.

Thanks to all of you for your input. I think everyone has some great advice whether for or against.

(Next up, should babies lay on their back or belly) JOKING

Thanks everyone!

It was a good question and I'm glad you brought it up so we could at least know the pros and cons.

from what i've seen, the cons sure outweigh the pros.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Alexis had her ears pierced in April when she turned 5. It was a 'mall' adventure. We watched a baby, then it was her turn. They used 2 people, 2 guns and the tears only lasted 30 seconds. Not too bad.