Having a baby's ears pierced?

[MumOfOne92]

AIBU to think it's absolutely ridiculous to get a baby's ears pierced?

Each to their own but...

I don’t think anybody judges the baby, they just feel sorry for the baby. A baby with its ears pierced is a baby whose parent has consented to assault on its behalf. Nice. If you consent to do this to put earrings in your baby’s ear because you think it looks nice, some people might conclude it is trashy.

My DD asked for hers to be pierced in the summer. She's 11.
Had an interesting conversation with the piercer (had it done in a tattoo place which was highly recommended) she would pierce children's ears but not babies. She would only do it if the child was old enough to ask for themselves and seemed happy about having it done.

@RainbowWaffles the PPs who are saying its "Chavvy, trashy and tacky" seem more concerned about stereotypes and appearance than the wellbeing of a child....

Oh and for the record (or before anyone accuses me of agreeing with child abuse) I support the notion that piercing should wait until a child is old enough to ask for themselves, however I think people should be capable of having an opinion without casting nasty judgment on others. What I don't agree with are the people on here suggesting it is the same as FGM that is ridiculous and very insensitive. I also don't agree with those making assumptions about other cultures.

It's primitive injuring a child for cosmetic or cultural reasons, whether it's something small like piercing a baby's ears, or big like circumcision or FGM. Unnecessarily harming a child is cruel and doesn't belong in the modern world.

Nice to know absolute majority of females in country I was born in are tacky, trashy and chavvy😂 Including myself 😂

I, and my pearced ears (done in a hospital when I was born by an actual doctor) are out of this thread. I must dash and put on my fake gucci, roll in glitter and roast chicken for a dinner in a barrel in front of my house.

That's where I am, PengAly. I had my ears pierced when I was 3. I wouldn't make the same choice for my daughter but not because I think I was a victim of abuse!

@Birdsgottafly
Fox hunting and pigeon shooting still go on in UK as it’s white upper class tradition.

@User12879923378 exactly. My sister had hers down when she was less than a year and my mum (who is amazing and not evil on anyway made that choice but if i asked my sister if she felt like a victim of abuse om sure she would laugh in my face.

What is the point of piercing a babies ears.

@JellyBears
It looks “chavy” not on my DD.
She’s incredibly beautiful with lovely smooth black skin and long thick curly hair but that’s her least accomplishment she’s smart funny, kind and incredibly intelligent.
I’m from mixed Caribbean background while DH is African and that’s our heritage.
If you call people “chavy” you are definitely not well educated.

Why did you pierce her ears out of interest?

I personally wouldn't do it I would wait till she is old enough and asks for it after a chat about care so not till she is old enough to understand. Same with religion I haven't had her christened it will be up to her to decide once old enough x
I think we decide enough for our kids what nursery what school etc something's can wait. However to each their own I would never critique another parent if that is what they want to each their own.

@Kko1986 yes! This is a mature way of thinking about it. Nice to see some posters understand the difference between having their own personal opinion and harshly judging others.

I was absolutely beside myself watching my DD getting her vaccines, and that was something she needed!

I couldn’t imagine inflicting pain on her for vanity.

@Seline
Giving you the benefit of doubt as so many posters claim to be from “mixed heritage” then spit vile racist opinions.
I decided to have DD’s ears pierced because in my mixed (black and Indian) Caribbean background it’s a right of passage for girls.
DH from Ghana and if baby is well and healthy they do at 2-3 weeks.
I had DD’s ears pierced when she was 8 months old and the private GP put emlea cream to numb and was meticulous with hygiene.
Ear piercing and male circumcision (Jewish and Muslim culture) is in no way comparable to FGM and lots of posters who go on about it being child abuse are in my opinion predictable and prejudiced.

DM refused to let me have mine done til I was 16. I didn't stick to gold studs and wore a pair of heavy dangly ones not long after. Promptly got infection and for years later my earlobes were scabby.

Dd got hers done when she was 14. I was very reluctant to agree to it.

DH is from a Jewish family (non adherent) though he was circumcised. DS was not though, I don't agree with it.

@Lunacake
It’s not vanity.
Had both DC’s fully immunised and I managed to not be “beside myself”.
I’m health professional and our friends include GP’s, Paediatricians, and Lawyers from multiethnic backgrounds (African Caribbean, Indian Chinese, Jewish etc.)
as we live in London all agree that FGM is Barbaric, most agree that male circumcision is something that’s more hygienic and something that needs to be discussed between both parents.
Ear piercing is an issue that racist whites occasionly use as a weapon to attack not only minority’s but also what they perceive to be “white chavs” ie those one step down from them.

Ghana I understand that but...personally I don't see why a cultural practise that's not got any tangible benefit to the child and is actively unpleasant for the child should be continued just because it's cultural? We have multiple races and religions in the family so I'm well aware of differing practises I just personally don't see the need for continuing them when they offer the child no discernable advantage.

I wouldn't circumcise my sons either.

Thank you for answering. I'm trying to understand the mentality because at the current moment I don't. What is the significance of the right of passage if you don't mind me asking? Does it mark anything in particular?

I'm nodding furiously with @Ghanagirl and I agree with her wholeheartedly.

@PengAly
You’re right how on earth can a baby look trashy.
It’s the mindset of a judgmental adult with low self esteem.

Id love to get my DD ears pierces but couldn't put her through the pain just because I 'want' to get her ears pierced

Funny, my baby had hers done after her injections. Never has anyone approached me in the street and told me what a terrible mother I am. I have, however, been told numerous times how pretty, lovely, sweet, etc. she looks. Funny how people actively compliment in person but on a computer disagree.
I have no issues with having them done as she barely even wimpered. They were pierced with white gold earring also to minimise any problems with reactions to metal. No problems with them ever.
Each parent to their own. I’m confident in my status as a good bloody mum and having her ears pierced never made me a terrible mum; regardless of what some people believe.

@Ghanagirl i respect your choice and think you did it the right way (through a doctor, woth numbing and hygiene considered). Ignore other posters who clearly already decided they wouldnt agree with you before you even answered. You cant please the judgmental type unless you agree with them.

I personally wouldn't get my baby's ears pierced because I couldn't be bothered with the aftercare but I can't work up the energy to be judgemental towards or disgusted by those who do.

DD got hers done when she was 6yo, with a needle, and it didn't hurt at all. They did both ears at once and she didn't even realise it was over and done with until they said that was it, finished.

I think highstreet places like Claire's Accessories should be banned from doing piercings because they're shit - overly expensive and poorly trained.

Each to their own.