Ear piercing of a Baby?

Just a question, if as parents we don't have the authority of piercing our children's ears, then how do we have the authority to tell them they have to wait until they are in their teens? I have not known one person who has been tramatized just from having their ears pierced. If you don't like earrings, then just don't wear them. It's not like earring holes are that noticable anyways. On the circumsion, I did know of a little boy whose parents decided to wait on his circumcision and he suffered terribly from it. He little wee wee was always infected. Kids in the daycare made fun of him because his wee wee was different. Parents had him circumsized when he was 4. My question is, if it isn't a religous thing, then why not get them done when they have no clue and will never remember the pain? Just my opinion.

Thank you for your response p1kef1sh. As you have your opinion about the piericing, circumsion, etc. I do have the same opinion toward baptisming a baby. But that is just me.

I am with you on that one too. However, you might argue that Confirmation is the point where the individual makes up their mind. Of course we all go along quite blindly to it because it is expected of us. This could get quite theological and philosophical. I shall stop before I confuse myself.

Hello star2316. First let me welcome you to myLot. I hope you enjoy it here. Seconly, thank you for your response. Yes, many parents have their child's ears pierced, and to me it's "to each their own." I do appreciate your input and your opinion.

When parents do choose to get a baby's ears pierced, it is for the parents' benefit, as well as the idea of having the baby know no different. When somebody chooses on their own to have piercings, additional piercings, etc, it is an expression of individuality =) I wouldn't call it a fad. I would not have been disappointed if my parents pierced my ears when I was a baby. I would just choose whether or not I felt like wearing earrings. Sometimes I don't wear any earrings, other times I change them up often.

Thank you for your response luvstochat. And you are absolutely correct, everyone has their own opinion. I don't think it was wrong of them to do it, it's their child. However like you, I am worried she will pull it out, and split her earlobe. I never thought about the swallowing of it, but you make a valid point.

I have grand daughters and great grand daughters (a bunch) and they are always getting their babies ears pierced. I don't like it but what can you do? A couple of the grand daughters have their tongues pierced (gross). I never had my ears pierced or wanted to. I always figured that if God had wanted holes in other parts of the body that he created, he would have put them there, no pain! Anyway, I realize that everyone has a choice when they're older but a baby? I'm glad this is America because that means I can express my opinions freely. So thank you for the opportunity.

Thank you jmabie for your response. You are absolutely right, their is nothing I as a grandparent can do about it. The tongue piercing, well, I would have a lot more to say about that. Sorry. Like if you plan on "breakin' bread' in my house, you leave that disgusting thing at yours". Opppsss. that is another rant. Yes, this is America and everyone has the freedom of speech. Glad to help you be able to give your opinion on the matter.

I can remember having my ears peirced. because I was old enough to want them done. it really doesn't hurt that much. so having it done "so they don't remember the pain" is a stupid reason. because the pain is virtually non-existant. hey, lets get them tattooed now, so they don't remember it, eh?

Thank you for your comment sparkofinsanity. I appreciate your forth right opinion. Although, I have no worries in having my grand daughter pulled from no matter what I tell my son or daughter-in-law. For the 3 live with me, and I have the granddaughter a good 85% of the time.

Cheers! I said basically the same thing when I noticed who the child actually belonged to. I am also wise enough to never consider having any of our parents live with us (or us with them) because that opens a huge can of worms about whose opinions really get to filter into any raising of a child. Bottom line, parents child, not grandparents, other relatives child. Just my opinion but those other people have or had their own chance with their own children. You don't get to decide to parent other people's children.

Sophiasmom, I am actually surprised that you didn't do it sooner that you did. Though I didn't do it for you until you were much older.

Hello sophiasmom911, thank you for your response. You are absolutely correct each child/person is different. It's sort of like each individual has their own "pain tolerance". I won't lie, the earrings do look cute. They are little diamond stars. However, I don't think if it devolpes an infection, they will look all that cute anymore. I do very much appreciate your words of wisdom in the matter, on if she pulls on them, to remove them.

Thank you prmasters for your response. Everyone has their own opinion and yours is always welcomed. I think piercing of any kind is more of a fad/fashion statement of some kind.

Well, not being a father yet doesn't mean you don't have your own opinion on the matter. If you are every faced with the descion it seems, you already know what you want. I just hope your spouse is in agreement with you on it.

Your are welcome. It is an interesting topic, I am not a father myself so this isn't descision I have yet had to face but I do like hearing the different opinions of parents out there.

Thank you for your response sedel1027. I understand completely your input on this, and have to agree with you. I myself had my ears pierced when I was 6 and it wasn't that pleasant of an expiernce. I'm just glad I wasn't there when she got hers done. For I am the one who had to hold her down the day before to get her 4 month old shots (something that is required mind you). I don't think I could have taken her crying while getting her ears pierced.

Strange thing is, she didn't even mention to me that she was going to have it done. But she probably already knew what my response would be! We do tend to have a little generation gap thing going!

Yes, my son didn't mention it to me either. When they got home they showed it to me. You might have a point with the "generation gap".

Thank you terri, for your response. It is nice to see not only did you comment on your daughter, (who also responded) but your grandaughter. It shows both sides of the matter. *smiling* Does this mean ya'll had a difference of opinion on the "age"?

Anytime my friend.

Hello vamp! Thank you for your response on this, it's greatly appreciated. Yes, things done as a child is less remebered as they age.

Chey...I do not know where I was when this discussion was started! BUT I have some minor input! As you remember, I was a paramedic for 13 yrs. on an Island of a population of approx.1000....and one of the grossest calls that I had was a baby who'se stud earring had come loose, and the baby poked the earring into her eye....We helicoptered her to Children's Hosp. in Vancouver! Time lapse...infection set in! Now, 50% eyesight, damage retina nerve! I am opposed to piercings unless for religious reasons! That's my opinion...and I'm sticking to it! Luv ya, girl! Cheers!

Hey there. I'm not sure where you were either. Oh wow. Now that I couldn't have handled seeing. My stomach turned just reading what you had wrote. I do have to agree with your logic on it. Thanks for your input.. *hugs*

Yes, it is very common to have a baby's ears pierced. You are absolute right about that.

I was initially worried about her playing with her ears or pulling on the earrings, but she never did. Honestly, the only way she will rip out an earring is if it gets caught on her clothes or something of that nature. I really don't think she will pull the earring through her ear herself. If she does pull on the earring, as soon as she pulls enough to cause pain, she will let go of the earring.

Hello Melitta! I am not judging them as I wouldn't judge you as a parent. For all parents, does parenting differently. You are absolutely right the back of the earring is different than that of an adult earring, so actually pulling the earring from the back of it, is a bit hard to do. But pulling it down and possibly splitting the earlobe would still be the same, and that is what concerns me. Did your daughter pull on her ears at all?

You do have a valid point about them pulling on the earring themselves. Thank you.

Hello Jill! *smiling* Thank you for your response. Yes, you are absolutely right. It is kind of hard to tell a 4 month old not to pull on her ears, that she can hurt herself.

I applaud the fact of you wanting your daughters to decide if they want their ears pierced or not. Yes, dressing a child in all pink should give someone a clue that the gender is female. *laughing* I think ear piercing is more of a fad then anything though.

To tell you the truth, I really haven't paid attention to the fact if it's faded out or not. I raised 3 boys, and it's not my nature to go and look at every little girls ears. *LOL*

I agree the ear piercing is just a fad It does not seem like people do it as much as they used to but I guess I could be wrong. I just have not seen that many children with there ears pierced as I used to.

Hello mindfad! Thank you for your response. Yes, I am sure when she is older she will determine if she likes her ears pierced or not.

Thank you for your input. I guess some kids as well as adult adapt different to different things. Glad to hear your granddaughter had no issues with it.

Hello! Yes, you are absolutely correct it is up to the parent. I wasn't saying it wasn't. I'm just a bit concerned by it. As I stated earlier, I am a mother of 3 boys, so I was never put in the situation of whether or not to pierce my baby's ear. I think my in-laws would have killed me, if I pierced my son's ears. *LOL*

Ah but again, in my opinion it is not your in-laws right to say anything, even if they do disagree. Not their kids, so not their decision, and it is even wrong for them to try to make you feel bad about it, or even to influence what you do or try to change your mind. The only time they had that right was when raising your spouse when he was a child.

I can remember it. it stings a bit for about a second. that's it. that's this huge traumatic event people mutilate their babies to prevent them remembering. if it was so painful there'd be lots of people walking around with only one ear done.

Thank you for your response luckydolphin. You make a very excellent point: doing the ear piercing while they are babies, they won't remember it. Or I hope they wouldn't.

Thank you latherosu for your response and in stating you opinion. It is greatly appreciated. I too understand part of the reason in why it was done, and the other part of me doesn't. Yes, I am sure her hair will grow in time, and if nothing else a "DRESS" would have sufficed. Just my opinion.

oh and latherose, I meant to add. "Welcome to myLot. I hope you enjoy it here."

Thank you for your input.