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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Baby ear-piercing

205 replies

cherryred · 19/01/2011 09:57

I know this topic has been talked about before but I feel so shocked at having witnessed a baby having her ears pierced that I'm bringing it up again.
I was in a branch of Claire's with my 10 year old when it happenned, the baby was quite young and absolutely howling in shock and pain. My daughter started crying too, she couldn't believe anyone would needlessly want to hurt their baby in this way. I left feeling that this really shouldn't be allowed to happen, ear-piercing doesn't benefit a baby in any way, it's as if some parents don't realise that babies are real people with feelings not just little dollys to dress up. Ok rant over! Angry

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 19/01/2011 17:21

Can't be arsed to read the thread I expect theres loads of chav comments though

TurkeyBurgerThing · 19/01/2011 17:30

It's just vile. You may aswell tattoo the poor thing at the same time.

samoa · 19/01/2011 20:47

Oh yeh we were getting the tattoo done today, right on her forehead!

twirlymum · 19/01/2011 20:50

Of course no-one thinks ear piercing is comparable with female circumcision (or male, but that's another subject!) but they are both done in the name of someone's culture.
It doesn't mean it's acceptable.

pixipie151 · 19/01/2011 20:54

its actually very popular in African culture. I was at my ante natal class when an African lady newish to this country asked if someone comes round in the hospital after the birth and does it?! Couldn't believe my ears, if you pardon the pun!

Personally, I think its a bit chavvy and the longstanding pain of being branded a chav at such a young age is as cruel as the pain inflicted on the infant. Seriously though, its unneccesary and cruel - you can be reported to social services for smacking your child which is physical abuse, how is this different?

Jodalina1 · 19/01/2011 21:05

Totally disagree with it also. Think people should just leave their babies ears alons. Leave the decision to be made by the child when old enough.

usualsuspect · 19/01/2011 21:08

Oh no god forbid you get branded a chav people might think you ain't a nice middle class girl

Dragonhead · 19/01/2011 21:14

YADNBU- it's cheap, nasty and definately chavvy......eugghh.

marriednotdead · 19/01/2011 21:14

My DD is 24 and I had her ears pierced when she was around 9 months old. We are not chavs, but it was very much the norm at the time.

She cried briefly, but less than at any of her immunisations, and there were no ongoing problems.

She is glad I had it done, I asked her a couple of years ago and she was pleased about not remembering the pain.

If I were to have a new dd now (never for boys!), I'm not sure I'd pierce their ears, but times and people change, and that includes me.

I had my own ears pierced aged 12, and wished my mum had done it sooner.

twoboots · 19/01/2011 21:17

I had mine done very early, but its not worth subjecting DD to gypo comments from her own father.

My dad was born in the 1930's in a tiny village in India, he had a tiny blue tatoo placed at the bridge of his nose at birth to ward of evil spirits.

He is yet to be possessed by demons.

twirlymum · 19/01/2011 21:27

Grin at Twoboots

kelway · 19/01/2011 23:00

different groups of people have their own fashions....i live in essex, there is certainly a way of dressing here that alot of females aspire to, used to live in notting hill, again alot of females like to dress in a similar way to each other which is very far removed to east london. in cold countries such as in norway lots of people wear fur coats although it doesn't mean the same thing as a fashionista (hate that expression) walking down bond street wearing one, four wheel drive cars good for the country side but vile in the city. my point is that within some groups baby ear piercing is just 'done'/the norm'. i don't like tattoos and wouldn't have one myself but they look great on some people (rock scene/alternative scene, loathe them on anyone else esepcaially on the shoulder, really hate that). no idea what i am going on about, off to bed

begonyabampot · 19/01/2011 23:14

would you think chav if you saw it on an Indian baby or some stylish Spanish mama's bebe? I don't like it - but plenty of other people think it looks great - maybe they think the way you or I dress our kids looks 'weird', 'chav' or 'common'.

MadAboutQuavers · 19/01/2011 23:16

It's vulgar, cheap and, most of all, abusive

And it should be against the law to inflict this on children younger than 10

MadAboutQuavers · 19/01/2011 23:17

It's vulgar, cheap and, most of all, abusive

And it should be against the law to inflict this on children younger than 10

MadAboutQuavers · 19/01/2011 23:18

It's vulgar, cheap and, most of all, abusive

And it should be against the law to inflict this on children younger than 10

begonyabampot · 19/01/2011 23:18

ok Mad - you've made your point! Grin

MadAboutQuavers · 19/01/2011 23:19

Sodding phone!

MadAboutQuavers · 19/01/2011 23:20
Grin
Lovethesea · 19/01/2011 23:21

I wasn't allowed to get mine done when younger and when I got old enough to choose I decided I didn't want them.

I'm 36 and I like my ears just the way they are. I am really glad no one took away my choice. I will make DD wait until she is very aware of all the pros and cons if she wants them done.

sue52 · 19/01/2011 23:22

When my youngest was tiny she was in the habit of pulling at her ear lobes. I am sure if she had had pierced ears she would have tugged at the earrings and harmed herself. A very nasty and potentially harmful thing to do a baby IMO.

coolascucumber · 19/01/2011 23:29

How ugly would your baby have to be for you to think they need their ears pierced to make them look better?

MrsRhettButler · 19/01/2011 23:49

I did my dd's age 6mnths no religious reasons, not a chav, not spanish, african,indian or jamaican I just wanted to do it at an age where she would forget it was done within ten minutes and wouldn't play with or be intrigued by them

She's fine, she cried for about 20 seconds (if that)

She loves them and she wears small hoops and I always make them loose in case they get pulled so they don't rip her ears

Abuse... My fucking arse

MrsRhettButler · 19/01/2011 23:53

Wow, first time I've disagreed with lequeen ever!

PenguinArmy · 20/01/2011 00:09

I understand people disagreeing with it on the principle or people should be old enough to make decision themselves. I find a lot of peoples opinions on here however quite disgusting frankly i.e. cheap, vulgar, chavvy