Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel uneasy seeing a baby having his ear pierced?

138 replies

JoannaVictoria · 12/06/2026 16:44

My 11 year old daughter has been asking for a long time about getting her ears pierced and I have given in.

Went into a chain store to have them done and there were two women and the piercing lady who was very young holding down a baby boy (he must have been about one) ready to pierce his ear.

AIBU Im thinking this isn’t right?

I know it’s legal etc and Im not a judgemental person but it just felt so wrong. Needless to say we left as I didn’t want to witness it. He was already screaming and thrashing around.

It just seems so unnecessary at that age. Other people in the store didn’t seem to have an issue with it.

OP posts:
chocoluv · 12/06/2026 17:29

I am very open minded about a lot of things but I can’t stand people who pierce their babies ears.

If I held a dementia patient down and pierced their ears, even though they couldn’t consent and they were crying and struggling - I’d probably be arrested for assault.

LadyLooo · 12/06/2026 17:28

plims · 12/06/2026 16:54

What does this mean?

Show quote history

It means the OP may as well have asked if water is wet.

plims · 12/06/2026 17:28

Backedoffhackedoff · 12/06/2026 17:25

I actually don’t believe the OP

Why?

LilacDrift · 12/06/2026 17:26

Backedoffhackedoff · 12/06/2026 17:25

I actually don’t believe the OP

Friday evening. innit. Always good for a good old MN froth thread.

Backedoffhackedoff · 12/06/2026 17:25

I actually don’t believe the OP

Bertiebiscuit · 12/06/2026 17:24

Pinkflamingo10 · 12/06/2026 16:47

Yah I agree I think it’s gross and unnecessary, and babies cannot consent to the procedure.

Why would any decent parent deliberately inflict pain on their child for no good reason?

Flamingojune · 12/06/2026 17:23

Lentilcakes · 12/06/2026 17:08

Didn’t take long …

Show quote history

Depends which kind, male is quicker than female

MayaLui · 12/06/2026 17:22

I just think if it as a cultural difference. I wouldn't do it myself but I truly don't understand the uproar. It's less trouble than getting it done later in life, it's a very normal thing to have done anyway and it's extremely minimal in terms of effects on the body or appearance.

It's different from circumcision because I have never heard anyone say "my parents pierced my ears when I was a baby and I feel I was violated/affected for life".

LilacDrift · 12/06/2026 17:20

Ha,one of MNs favourite topics.

WhatAMarvelousTune · 12/06/2026 17:15

Dweetfidilove · 12/06/2026 17:00

The doctor who vaccinated my child told me babies forget pain very quickly 🤷🏾‍♀️.

So how much unnecessary pain do you think is acceptable to inflict on a baby, given that they forget quickly? I doubt a 2 yr old would remember being smacked, but that doesn’t make it ok.

JustSawJohnny · 12/06/2026 17:11

I agree that it should have an age restriction.

It's not just the actual procedure, it's the aftermath that can also be very sore.

Hurting your child for aesthetic reasons is nothing but shallow, IMO.

Justbreathagain · 12/06/2026 17:09

Awful can't understand why you would do it to your child

Original poster
JoannaVictoria · 12/06/2026 17:09

No we went in and waited by the piercing station, assumed it was his mum having a piercing , realised what was about to happen and left.

OP posts:
Lentilcakes · 12/06/2026 17:08

User97463 · 12/06/2026 16:57

Wait till you hear about circumcision...

Didn’t take long …

vincettenoir · 12/06/2026 17:03

YNBU to have felt uneasy and fled.

Original poster
JoannaVictoria · 12/06/2026 17:03

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 12/06/2026 16:55

Well, it’s assault. There’s no other way to describe it.

But why take your daughter there rather than to a proper piercer? Those places are mank, the machines they use are shady AF and the staff practice on stuffed toys.

Body modifications aren’t really and area where you try to save a few ££. If you can’t afford to take your child to a proper place then just say no. Don’t cut corners with your child’s health FFS.

We’ve found a local business to go to now.

They use needles not guns and have a policy of not piercing children under the age of 7.

Tbh it wasn’t a decision based on money whatsoever. It’s around the same price at the other place.

OP posts:
Muffsies · 12/06/2026 17:01

User97463 · 12/06/2026 16:57

Wait till you hear about circumcision...

I can't disagree, but this thread is about to get spectacularly off the rails!

Sunnyyetnotsunny · 12/06/2026 17:01

ToddlerMum7473244w · 12/06/2026 16:49

I was born abroad where they pierce your ears right after birth if you're a girl! More hygienic and less drama than having it done at 11 in a supermarket.

Yes, while still in hospital so proper clean and experienced person.
I cannot comprehend why would someone take baby or child to random shop with barely trained staff for this tbh.

Dweetfidilove · 12/06/2026 17:00

The doctor who vaccinated my child told me babies forget pain very quickly 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Arlanymor · 12/06/2026 17:00

Flamingojune · 12/06/2026 16:58

So what?

Show quote history

Quite - I can think of plenty of others - street parking is a good example! I would never go on a thread all mealy-mouthed and say: "We've had this topic already!" People are free to discuss whatever they wish to discuss, if it's not for you then don't read the thread and don't comment!

Flamingojune · 12/06/2026 16:58

NearlyNewNonny · 12/06/2026 16:48

It's been done to death on MN.

So what?

Arlanymor · 12/06/2026 16:58

The non-consent issue is horrible and I know that there are cultural contexts but I don't think they outweigh the bodily autonomy of any individual, particularly one who cannot advocate on their own behalf. Plus their ears aren't fully developed so the holes move upwards as they grow, so usually the piercings become uneven as you can't predict the rate at which each ear will grow. Edited to add that I have nine piercings - I deliberately have one more in one ear than the other - and I would never go to an establishment that wasn't 18 and above. Vote with your feet people. Don't patronise somewhere that supports this practice.

GlosGirl82 · 12/06/2026 16:58

This and circumcision should be illegal- should not be carried out on a child who cannot provide consent

User97463 · 12/06/2026 16:57

Wait till you hear about circumcision...

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 12/06/2026 16:55

Well, it’s assault. There’s no other way to describe it.

But why take your daughter there rather than to a proper piercer? Those places are mank, the machines they use are shady AF and the staff practice on stuffed toys.

Body modifications aren’t really and area where you try to save a few ££. If you can’t afford to take your child to a proper place then just say no. Don’t cut corners with your child’s health FFS.