What age is it OK to have your childs ears pierced?

Question

At what age is it ok to have a childs ears pierced?
Any difference between boys and girls?

Answer 1

When they are old enough to decide for themselves.

Answer 2

When I was seven, many of my friends were getting their ears pierced. Ask her if she wants to go back and get it done, and that it won't be so scary this time, because you'll tell her ahead of time what is going to happen. Maybe you need to tell her what to expect, so that when it happens she's more calm. Tell her that she'll hear a clicking noise, which is when they're putting the earring in the piercing gun (you might want to come up w a different term for it; "gun" sounds a bit intimidating.) Then, she has to hold very still and they will make the hole and put the earring in at the same time. The sound will be like a loud click, louder than before, and it'll feel kind of weird. Then they do the next ear. It should only hurt for about 5 minutes after she gets it done.

Answer 3

This is mostly a cultural question. Some cultures pierce the ears of infants and the children apparently forget about the trauma and are perfectly happy. I think it is an individual choice.

I did just read this:

According to dermatologists at the Medical College of Georgia, scars known as "keloids" are most likely to result when piercing is done after the age of 11, and in particular when ears are pierced during puberty. On the other hand, those children who got their piercings done before the age of 11 had a remarkable 60 percent lower risk of developing post-piercing keloid scars.

And this:

“Parents need to make sure that ear piercing is not done until their child gets at least one, if not two, series of immunizations, “ says Dr. Kenneth Gottesman, M.D., an attending pediatrician at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital. “Wait until the child is older, so they have a bigger earlobe — and then make it a birthday present.”

Answer 4

I had my daughters ears pierced when she was 6 weeks old, by her Dr. For a baby, I would definitely NOT go to the mall or a shop for cleanliness purposes.

I do feel it is a "choice" on one hand, but if it something that you want for your daughter at an age when you as the parent make the decisions, that is YOUR CHOICE. If a toddler age child or young girl acted terrified of having it done, it would not force her; that would be a situation to compromise on, because it is not something that has to be done.

As for boys, there is no way my young son would be walking around with ear rings in his ear and I would advise my older son against it! However, it would be his choice.

Answer 5

We lived in South America for 5 years, and the girl babies get ears pierced in infancy - like 3 months old. A small string/fibre is poked through and the mother keeps the ears clean and sanitary, I suppose. However, WE don't live there now and I would only allow ears pierced after a girl is 13 or so. I made my d'ter pay for her own piercing at that age and it was fine. Piercing is clean and safe if you do it at a reputable jewelry store or something

Answer 6

Lets see, my father always said that if God wanted holes in your ears,,,,he would have put them there. (He said the same thing about both of my tattoos) BUT I believe, especially now that I am older and so much wiser.......(no laughing) leave these children alone. Getting your ears pierced or tongue or eyebrow is a passage into adolescence that should be left to the adolescent. Allow your child to make their own mistakes. Don't do it for them.

Answer 7

I wouldnt get my babys ears pierced, especially my boys. I would let my girl decide when she is old enough to do so on her own. I just think it looks dumb on a boy. My husband has his pierced from when he was 16, but I still think it looks bad on a man.

Answer 8

That depends on the child. Some mothers get their daughters ears pierced before they leave the hospital..it basically depends on whether or not you want to be responsible for cleaning and turning the earrings if your child isn't old enough to do it themselves.

Answer 9

I had mine done at 7 then again at 15. I never wear earings now and have found that as i'm getting older there are creases appearing where the holes are. Like wrinkles on your ears! My daughter is nearly 7 and she wears stick ons when she wants to. I will not get hers done. My son - no way! They look like trash on boys.

Answer 10

If I had a girl, I'd get her ears pierced around 6 months.... to be honest... my Mom took me when I was 6 yrs old. I'm a huge baby when it comes to needles-always have been, and always will be... so I cried sooooo hard. I'd rather have forgotten it and had my mom get it done for me when I was a baby lol. If you grow up and don't want your ears pierced when they already have been, let them close up... don't wear earrings! I don't think it's that big of a deal.

For a boy, I wouldn't get them done. I know a lot of my guy friends who had it done, and let them close because they went through a stage where they wanted it, then they didn't at all. So it'd be up to my son when he was older.

Answer 11

Honestly when they r a bay it is much easier than when they r like 5 or 6. I had my daugther's ears done when she was like 3 months old. And she loves them now! So puts in new earrings everyday just so they match whatever outfit she has on. I think it is actually kinda cute. So to answer the question probably about 3 months to a year. After that they may fight u once one ear is done.