Babies & Toddlers With Pierced Ears

We make a lot of choices for our children, many are driven by our own preferences. What to feed them, how to feed them, where to live, how to potty train, where to go etc. It was my preference to have their ears pierced early so they would be 1) done properly (in India, proper jeweler) and 2) fully healed well before school and under my control. It was far easier than doing it later in life. They are all happy to have their ears pierced and are grateful for the decision I made for them. Also, done properly it doesn't cause pain. None of them cried.
I personally find other parents choices of say toilet training their child at age 3 or 4 when it can easily be done far earlier (assuming no additional needs) a lot more questionable. Topics like breastfeeding, childcare, weaning, prams, pacifiers etc etc will be divisive. We make choices that suit us and, we hope, our children at the end of the day. Ear piercing is really a non issue. Ultimately i made the right choice since my kids are happy with it. And yes both ears for all.

Of course they do, but vaccinations serve a medical purpose and protect children from potentially serious diseases. Ear piercing doesn't.

But the pain ( which i was talking about) is no different

As is the lack of consent

Of course we all make choices for our children, but that doesn't mean all choices are equal. Ear piercing absolutely does cause pain – anyone who can articulate their experience of it will tell you that. As I mentioned before, research also shows that babies have heightened pain sensitivity.

Vaccinations have a medical benefit that I personally think justifies proceeding without consent; cosmetic ear piercing doesn't. There's a fundamental difference.

I think I was about 11 and so was my daughter. I think it looks really tacky on babies and I also think it’s a safety issue, apart from the fact that the child should be old enough to consent. I’d say 10-11?

People moan about piercing ears which is temporary (and yes, unnecessary) pain, but will ply their children with sugar and salt and make them internally unhealthy without any thought.

My DH comes from a culture where it’s quite normal to pierce little girls ears as a baby - even newborn. In fact, I have heard from his friends and family there (though not entirely sure if it’s true) that some private hospitals will even do it for you hours after the birth before you leave the hospital. Little girls in my DH’s family have all had theirs done before 1 year.
I have put my foot down and said that I absolutely will not be agreeing to any piercings for our dirtier children until 6 at the earliest, when they are old enough to ask for it and understand the procedure.

No not unreasonable. No parent should be able to modify their child’s body in any way, shape or form unless for medical reasons.

It’s less harmful than circumcision. I personally would like all not essential (so only for medical not cultural reasons) procedures banned for under 12’s and anything that requires anaesthesia and isn’t fully reversible 18 years old. (So ear lobe piercing 12+, full cosmetic surgery 18+)

It’s less harmful than circumcision.

How is that relevant? It's much less harmful to randomly punch somebody who annoys you hard in the face than it is to shoot them dead through their heart; but that doesn't mean that either of those is in any way acceptable behaviour.

It was far easier than doing it later in life. They are all happy to have their ears pierced and are grateful for the decision I made for them. Also, done properly it doesn't cause pain. None of them cried.

How is it actually more difficult to do it later in life? If you hadn't made that decision for them when they were very young, how would that have presented any kind of obstacle for them getting it done if/they chose to at any time when they were older? You might be grateful to somebody for holding a door open for you, but if they hadn't done so, it's hardly like most people wouldn't be able to easily open it for themselves without giving it a moment's thought.

How do you figure that it doesn't cause pain to a young child when done properly, but it somehow does cause pain when done properly to a teenage girl, or grown woman, who fully understands what is happening, what discomfort to expect and has chosen it for herself?

Because i was able to make sure it healed properly and they dont mess about with it. And because of school: bloody nightmare getting piercings to heal right whilst complying with schools rules. And with other hobbies. My oldest does judo so each additional piercing she wants needs to be carefully timed and managed as she can't have jewellery on for training.
Ultimately it really doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks. The only people that matter in my scenario are my children. And they are very happy with the choice I made for them. So you can argue it's abuse till the cows come home, it is frankly of no relevance. I did what i felt was right and I'm happy with that. I'd revisit a number of other choices if given the option. Not that one.

It's abuse. Just wrong on so many levels. Makes me wonder about CSA as well.

I can’t say I’ve seen any like between people who don’t pierce babies ears and sugar consumption, in fact from lived experience infants with pierced ears are more likely to be sitting in the buggy with a lolly or juice in a baby bottle!

The reasoning is different. The pain is the same.

If a baby soon forgets vaccination pain then surely they would soon forget any pain from piercing?

So a baby with pierced ears is more likely to be sexually abused?? That's sone reach. Have you been drinking? Or just letting imagination run away with you?

It’s almost as though the reason for the pain is a very important distinction.

Honestly only a moron would use the argument ‘well you vaccinate your kids’ as a reason for piercing infant’s ears.
It’s such a stupid argument.

This is the real reason people hate ear piercing, not because it’s ‘cruel’. At least you’re upfront about it I guess.

Had mine done as a baby. Didn’t do my own daughter so no stake here.

But it’s fascinating that you never hear women who he it done to them comparing it tO male circumcision, DV, FGM or CSA. The only backlash is from people who’ve no direct exposure whatsoever.

I don’t agree the only backlash is from people with no exposure.
I had my ears pierced as a baby and think it should be a legal requirement that piercing cannot be done on anyone younger than 13 at a minimum.

Also, people who have had no exposure are allowed to have opinions too though. How people treat infants and the cruel practices they force on them should be everyone’s business.

I don't think I've said otherwise?

Do you not see the fundamental difference between vaccinating your baby and getting your baby's ears pierced though?

Not in pain inflicted no

I had mine pierced as a baby and still think piercing babies and young children's ears shouldn't be allowed.

So if a toddler trips up and his knees are sore vs if I push him over and his knees are sore it’s exactly the same thing and equally acceptable?