Earrings on babies and toddlers

[Unicorn1981]

I don't get it and would worry they'd get pulled out but understand it's ok in other cultures. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are. I suppose it saves doing it when they're older but I had mine pierced when I was 13 and the back got stuck.

[19lottie82]

This topic has been done to death on MN.

[MintJulip]

I hate it, think it looks horrid, think its pointless and horrid.

[MollyTwo]

This has been done to death and then some more on here.

[giraffesCantReachTheirToes]

Anyone?

[Mommawoo]

I've heard that piercing a childs ears early can increase the chance of them developing an allergy to metal or nickel. No idea if its true though.

[WellErrr]

It looks shit and it's pretty unfair to the child.

Some people think it looks lovely.

Various references to 'gypsies' which will then be deleted.

A few hundred threads about infection.

Done.

There you go, I've summed it up. Everyone can just look away now

[WellErrr]

*posts

[Unicorn1981]

Sorry for being repetitive. Fairly new to mumsnet and was just thinking it might make an interesting debate. I was asked when my baby was a few weeks old when I'd be getting her ears 'done'.

[MintJulip]

But it's one of those subjects nobody ever changes their mind on and it always ends in carnage.



^^ Oh so like every other topic thats done then where two sides are entrenched Op I have not seen loads of threads on this.

[Elephants25]

It actually doesn't bother me, tbh. What people would think is what would put me off, though. I get where people are coming from, but I don't care enough.

[Waffles80]

Blahblahblahblah.

There are far worse things than this for you to get your knickers in a twist over.

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

Child abuse, common, unsafe, several stories about 'a friend of my cousins neighbour had it done while their child was 2 days old and their ears fell off'

Or

Comparing ear piercing to child abuse downplays real abuse, it looks cute, cultural reasons, several stories about 'I had my babies ears pierced while I was still pregnant and my doctor said it was the best decision ever and baby is now a model'

Choose your side

[grannytomine]

I did hear an A & E doctor saying he thought it was abuse. He said he had spent alot of time trying to get earrings out of screaming children's ears and treating infections. He said it was painful and unnecessary. I don't know, don't have piercings myself and my daughter was almost 18 when she had hers done and then couldn't be bothered so let them heal.

[badtime]

The reason this always causes mayhem is because this is seen as such a symbol of social class.

People will seldom admit this, and often won't even realise it.

(Disclaimer: I am from a working class background but have accidentally found myself living a middle class life. I don't think small children having pierced ears looks good, but I also know that when I was playing in the gutter with the other snipes, I was desperate to have it done.
Really, I think the only valid argument against it isn't what it looks like, but that it involves choosing to cause pain to a young child for no practical benefit to that child.)

[freetrampolineforall]

I think it looks stupid and naff. Other people think I am stupid and naff for having that opinion.

[ChicagoBull]

Depends what circles you move in.
I live in an area with a high number of Hispanic people. It's completely normal to have it done on the day your baby is born & I've never heard of any infections/problems etc.
However in other areas in sure you'd be accused of child abuse
Dd had hers done at 7yo and got a couple of from the playground snobs

[lisaneedsarest]

I had mine done as a baby (working class, early 80's) I think it was pretty common where we lived, I don't remember it, and never suffered any ill affects. My mum said I cried for a while by no more than when I had an injection. I've since had more holes in my ears and it was bloody painful! So I've chosen not to bother with my dd until it's something she can decide for herself.

It's something that people always judge about but each to their own I say! I'm glad I have my ears pierced now and I guess also glad that I have no memory of the pain so maybe it was a good thing!

[PageStillNotFound404]

It's been done to death if you've been registered since using Mumsnet required you to signal to the neighbouring Mumcave by beating a mastodon bone on a rock but...and I appreciate this might come as a shock to some - not everyone has been here that long.

[ThoraGruntwhistle]

I think that body piercing is like religion. Best left until the person is old enough to make up their own mind about it rather than someone else deciding for them.

[Dontyoulovecalpol]

I agree with bad time.

Although- I don't know anyone who has pierced their children's ears or even seem them on the street. Are they all congregating in some godforsaken town somewhere? It's all a bit 80s isn't it, children with earrings

[torthecatlady]

It's one of those subjects people love to discuss (me included) and so it comes up a lot!

It seems to be a really common practice in society today to pierce the ears of very young children.

Having experienced emotional, verbal and physical abuse during my life, I don't know if I consider ear piercing abuse, however I am still uncomfortable with causing unnecessary discomfort to babies, even if "they won't remember it" as I have heard a number of times.

Personally, I would rather wait until my child can ask me and is able to understand the importance of keeping the piercings clean.

As a parent, it is your duty to make decisions for your child until they are able to make them for themselves. So, if you believe it is in your child's best interest to have pierced ears then that should be ok. It should also be ok if a parents does not want to pierce their baby's ears.

[AppleSetsSail]

I hate it, but to each their own.

[TinySalmon]

I don't understand what people are saying about social class? I come from a very wealthy family and got my ears pierced when I was a teeny baby.

Cultural reasons here - Eastern European family / very common in those parts.

[AuntieStella]

Actually, I think I have changed my opinions somewhat (after reading several zillion MN threads on this, and actually not minding in the slightest that it's popped up again).

I used to think mid/late teens was the best time, then came round to the idea that the summer between primary and secondary was best (and tbh, I do think that seems to be peak time).

But I also think now that it doesn't actually matter

It's not necessary, but neither is it abusive (will save popcorn for when someone compares it to FGM - I think when I started seeing those comparisons, I thought it had all got a bit ridiculous)