Babies and piercings

[AJ279]

I saw someone today who had an 8 month old little girl with her ears pierced. Am I alone in thinking that it's wrong to do that to a baby?

I know it's only a quick procedure but I'm a bit shocked that people still do this. AIBU?

I think it's a totally fucking stupid thing to do to a baby.

Painful with risks of infection and tearing for no positive benefit.

There are lots of things that are cultural and/or traditional - doesn't make them right.

professorpickles exactly this. You beat me too it...

You say potato, I say pohtato, let's call the whole thing off

I'm still waiting for the "it's the same as FGM" posters to crop up like on the last baby piercing thread

I personally do not see anything wrong with it for baby girls
What's your opinion on it for baby boys, Steelo?

it is simply cultural and parents choice.

What about the choice/right of the baby to decide if they want to have piercings? I have multiple piercings which I had as an adult, when I was old enough to make an informed decision as to whether I actually wanted it done or not. There was no cultural or parental bollocks, the choice was mine and mine alone, as it should be.

There's a little girl at my DDs nursery who has pierced ears. Seeing as my DD loves grabbing and poking my ears, I worry that she will grab them and yank them out as they're little hoops.

I personally think it's cruel - was a temp at Claire's years ago and was there when a colleague pierced a baby's ears. The gun jammed. Not a sound I'd wish to hear again.

It is indeed a stupid and very unpleasant thing to do to a baby, and looks hideous into the bargain.

I'm still waiting for the "it's the same as FGM" posters to crop up like on the last baby piercing thread

I think it was the male circumcision that was actually suggested but comparing it to fgm wouldn't surprise me either

Right I'll add my two pennies worth was in Claire's at the weekend a two year was getting her ears pierced screaming the place down wee soul. Mum and other adult was trying desperately to persuade her trying to bribe her etc the little girl was screaming she didn't want them done it was heartbreaking even my 11 and 10 yo DDs commented on how distressing it was hearing her cry.

Why why why it's not worth it really is it?

Horrible to see on a baby, awfully common looking too.
Can't see why people do it when there's a fairly high chance they will get grabbed/torn from ear. Yucky yukky yuk

In all reality babies have no say in anything so in my opinion to chose babies choice argument is irrelevant...

My son was circumcised, does that rob his choice of not wanting that when he was older???
At that age some things are simply not his decision to make.

Ah, my mistake. Still not the same though is it ear holes can close up - I've yet to see a foreskin grow back. ( Not that I stalk circumcised men watching just in case )

I just don't understand putting babies through any unnecessary pain or risking infection.

Had my ears pierced at 10m
I can honestly say that this physical change to my appearance had NO impact on my life choices so each to their own

There are more important things to get het up about.

It's not the done thing for my background/culture, but others see a value in it. Fine.

I never liked ear piercings on babies, but since I've had children my feelings have got even stronger. I hate taking them for their jabs and they way they sob and look at me with big, tearful eyes as if to ask why I would do this to them. I comfort myself with the knowledge that I am doing it for their health and in their best interest. It is absolutely beyond me why anyone could want to inflict pain on their baby for a purely cosmetic reason, cultural reasons or otherwise.

Steel - "not his choice to make"

Yes - as a baby I agree which is why I find totally incomprehensible why a parent would submit their child to any painful and/or risky procedure that wasn't necessary.

Seeing my son as a baby being fitted with an IV for necessary surgery was bloody awful.

Why anyone would elect to "choose" to inflict pain on their child is beyond me - tradition/culture/class, whatever the procedure - meh...don't care - it's just wrong.

Goodnight all!

It's disgusting.

Such a shame parents don't find their children beautiful without having to staple jewels to their head.

Personally I think circumcision for either sex (if no medical reason if male) is far more problematic than ear piercings.

Says it all Steel...there really is no rational response. Goodnight indeed.

I have had a long day at work yellowtulips and I'm getting square eyes.
You have your opinion and I have mine, I don't believe it is common or council I have responded to that.
So yes I am signing out.

Yes obviously it's cruel. It's wrong to inflict pain on a baby, unless there's a necessary reason like a medical procedure.

Baffled as to how anyone can not understand something so self evident. This ought not to be 'controversial', it's a no brainer.

I agree that its wrong. A boy in my DD's pre school has both his ears pierced. That is just horrendous.

I wouldn't use the words "a bit council", but I'd imagine there is some correlation between ear piercing and socio-economic standing.

I wouldn't be doing it myself. It's unnecessary and I'd have infection control concerns. I also don't think it's fair to do something permanent to a person before they are old enough to make an informed choice.

When done as a baby there is virtually no infection, because parents clean them and it heals in days unlike when done older. It is cultural for many and i always think why didnt they get their daughters ears pierced? But i dont condemn those who dont pierce their kids ears, so i dont understand why those of you who dont like it have to be so judgey and rude. I live and let live, why dont you?