What age for bellybutton piercing?

[jackstini]

Dd has just turned 16 and wants bellybutton pierced, plus a couple more ear ones

DH is dead against it, worried about infection and doesn't like them - has said no

I'm not too fussed but I know it's her body and it's not a hill I'd choose to die on (to use a hated mn phrase!)

So what age did you/your dc get it done and do you still love it or any regrets?

16 is fine, in my opinion. I got mine done at that age and kept it for 10 years until pregnancy forced me to remove it. Make sure she goes to a reputable piercer though and follows the aftercare recommendations carefully.

My dd16 has requested the same and I’ve just been very ‘well obviously it’s your choice but it will catch on clothes and also poke out through your skin tight prom dress’ ( when I pointed this out it put her off )
She’s had her helix pierced and let it heal because it caused no end of issues and so currently just has the 3 lobe piercings. She wants to re-pierce her helix and have various other ear piercings and I think she’s now moved her focus to this. We shall see what the summer brings….,

My DD is begging for this aged 14. Lots of her friends have it. I’ve told her to wait til summer so it has time to heal and then she can take it out for PE.

I had it done when I was about 18. I still have the scar and have explained to her that she would have the scar for life. Doesn’t really bother me though as it’s not like I ever get my belly out these days!

As long as she’s fully aware of the aftercare and risk of infection I would be fine with this at 16. There are worse things.

I think 16+ is the norm and doesn't require parental permission. I had mine done around then (a long time ago now!) and really liked it but completely regret it because post children it looks awful. It just looks gross. I would allow dd to have hers done at 16 if she wanted.

16 is OK in my books, but she does need to look after it, they can be tricky to heal.

I think I was 14 or 15? And it was absolutely fine, my mum took me to a proper place and I never had any issues with it

My DD (15) begged for months for a nose piercing- in the end just went and got it done. Within 3 weeks had taken it out as it had gone a bit red and that was that - the hole closed up.

I had mine done at 15 although in all fairness it was only a month off my 16th birthday it was just it was the Easter holidays at the time so I was off school. They did take my Mums word of mouth over the phone that I was 16 (used cousins DOB cos I didn't have an appropriate adult with me)

My daughter got it done at 13. She's the last of four kids and I'd rapidly realised after making mistakes with 1-2-3 that a belly piercing is absolutely nothing on the scale of "this your teenagers can do that is awful". I am also teaching her about body autonomy and letting her take control in a a way that isn't damaging. The worst case scenario is an infection and it needs to be removed leaving a scar. Both scenarios can be easily dealt with.

Thanks all - going to share the comments with Dd

I’d say 16 but it is the most tricky to heal up, so need to be aware of that. Think just because of where it is.

DD1 got hers done at 14, as did most of her friends. So at 16 it would obviously fine.

Not sure why your DH thinks it'll get infected, or why him not liking them should make a difference. Your DD is 16, body autonomy should've been happening for a while now.

I had mine done at 15. It was for my 16th but wanted it done at the start of summer holidays not the end. My dad took me.

My daughter has hers at 13. No problems

Nothing you can do to stop her at 16 tbh, she can just walk in and get it done.

I’d be worried if you’re all so vocally against it she’ll get it done anyway and be too scared to tell you if something goes wrong.

My DD was 15....we were on holiday inAustralia and her cousin age 16 was getting it done so DD ended up having hers done to....she never had any issues with it