To think that piercing a toddler's ears isn't right?

[slatternlymother]

An acquaintance of mine has updated on FB about having her 17mo dd's ears pierced this afternoon and has uploaded photos of how 'lovely' she looks.

I can't believe this is even legal! Is it? I'm quite shocked actually, I've never given it that much thought but surely the child should have some kind of choice? What about infection? I remember getting mine done and it hurt quite a bit actually, and I found it quite hard to sleep etc.

I hope they at least gave the little one some kind of numbing cream.

dd had them done for her 3rd birthday. After asking and asking and asking and asking x10000

McHappy did she get on ok with earrings? Bit worried DD will pull on them if she has them and hurt herself

Ooh grapes, I'd forgotten that one

Since you caved in just as well it wasn't a tattoo she asked for then isn't it Mchappypants.

yes! eating grapes in the supermarket before you've paid! BIG topic, redone last week I believe.

Unless its a cultural thing, I see absolutely no reason for ear piercings on young children.

really novack?

Grapes is new on me, I do recall seeing something about folk fingering fruit with their filthy fingers!

I had mine done when I was about 18 months, my mum claims I nagged her for ages to have it done . My DD (6) has asked to have hers done, XH (then DH) agreed immediately, I tried to dissuade her but as he'd already said yes I felt a bit stuck. I just never got around to taking her to have it done, and of course he isn't organised enough to do it. She's never mentioned it again.

does it hurt less if it's a cultural thing then? does that make infections stay away?

I grew up in a culture where smacking and wooden spoons was the norm, I guess noone should have challenged it.. since it was the culture!

fine, slept well that night, no infections and she has never touched them. Looks alot in the mirror.

i also repiercied my ears at the same time

*slatternly both dp and my parents are from the west indies and it is a sort of tradition. I would worry about infection and so ii will be looking for recommendations and vigilant after care. Thats the piercing but similar principle for circumcision - I will trust dp's lead in that area...
Wow, this thread is moving fast

Seemingly if it's cultural it doesn't hurt at all and you don't even need a doctor to do it, just some friend of your grandads.

its assault.

Plain and simple.

Until they are old enough to make the desicsion ofr themselves it is assault.

Good luck for the future Mchappy

It's hardly assault. It stings for a minute and then it's over with. I think likening it to assault is a pretty horrific thing to say.

why is that.

I got mine done when I was 8 and I can still remember how much it hurt and i'm 32!

Assult/abuse are appropriate words when you are discussing a baby imo.

I bet the foreskin stings a lot more than that as men who have it done say it hurts like hell for at least a week and the discomfort lasts for up to a month after. Never had any major discomfort after ear piercing however.

i let my eldest have it done on her 9th birthday 12 weeks later she was brought earings as a gift put them in and a few days later we were in a&e as the butterflys had sunk compleatly into her ear lobes she had to have a opperation.

shes never forgiven me for giving into her.

mine didn't just sing for a minute. It hurt for bloody ages and then got very infected (yes I turned and cleaned them properly)

smacking stings for a minute too, that makes it fine then?

I never understand why you're almost not allowed to comment on this particular subject on MN! Ear piercing under the age of about 10 is pretty vile IMVHO and, although I don't really like the word, I shall assist the poster doing bingo by saying that yes, there is definitely round here a chav element to it. There you go.

I was told NOT to turn them, clean the ear twice a day using the after care lotion.

who exactly are you sharing baby piercing after care tips with?

shall we have a chat about smacking techniques while we're at it ?

Just as well Prince Alberts did not catch on culturally.