Pierced Ears?

[angelaartsstudent]

As opposed to talking silently ;-P

[HotI]

I much prefer piercings to be done by needle rather than gun. Much less pain and shock.

[toomanyshoes]

I'm curious about it getting infected - as I said in a previous post, I had mine done at 8 and they were infected for a very long time, as a PP said - I could only wear sleepers to stop it being infected and even now - 21 years later, if I wear studs, they still get infected. I have also got a nose piercing which I have had for about 10 years - it got badly infected for the first 3 or 4 years as well. I thought I must just be a person likely to get infections with my piercings but all my piercings were done with a gun (I also have 7 other piercings in my ears also done with a gun but none of them were infected like my lobes and nose). So guns are more likely to cause infection? and playing with the earrings? I never knew that. I don't remember the piercing itself being painful, I remember the weeks following being quite horrendous painwise - that it what turns me off having my baby's ears done the most. I also didn't realise peircings were permanant because if I take mine out for more than a few days, my holes all close over ...

I don't know if there is really a question in there, I am just talking out loud

All piercings can get an infection, gun or needle. Yes, some people are more prone to infections. My main problems with the gun method are 1, they use blunt studs which tear through the skin 2, there is no way to completely sterilise the gun because of the plastic components 3, they are usually not done in sterile surroundings 4, they are usually done by people who have VERY little training.

I've seen people who have had lobe piercing with a gun and the ear has swollen so much it completely covered the stud front and back, I've also seen piercings with a needle rejected by the body. To me it is about minimising risks. The gun method just isn't something I'm willing to risk for my child.

[Just Me]

As opposed to talking silently ;-P

I meant thinking outloud I am having one of those moments. I might just crawl back under my rock now

[loulabelle]

I'm curious about it getting infected - as I said in a previous post, I had mine done at 8 and they were infected for a very long time, as a PP said - I could only wear sleepers to stop it being infected and even now - 21 years later, if I wear studs, they still get infected. I have also got a nose piercing which I have had for about 10 years - it got badly infected for the first 3 or 4 years as well. I thought I must just be a person likely to get infections with my piercings but all my piercings were done with a gun (I also have 7 other piercings in my ears also done with a gun but none of them were infected like my lobes and nose). So guns are more likely to cause infection? and playing with the earrings? I never knew that. I don't remember the piercing itself being painful, I remember the weeks following being quite horrendous painwise - that it what turns me off having my baby's ears done the most. I also didn't realise peircings were permanant because if I take mine out for more than a few days, my holes all close over ...

I don't know if there is really a question in there, I am just talking out loud

I'm the same.I have holes but I actually never wear anything in them.It only takes about 10 minuted before they start getting itchy.It happens even with gold and silver. I get a reaction if I wear anything other than gold or silver anywhere else too.
I think that's another part of why I will not pierce DD ears.She has sensitive skin as it is, so would probably react.

[Fleur]

I'm curious about it getting infected - as I said in a previous post, I had mine done at 8 and they were infected for a very long time, as a PP said - I could only wear sleepers to stop it being infected and even now - 21 years later, if I wear studs, they still get infected. I have also got a nose piercing which I have had for about 10 years - it got badly infected for the first 3 or 4 years as well. I thought I must just be a person likely to get infections with my piercings but all my piercings were done with a gun (I also have 7 other piercings in my ears also done with a gun but none of them were infected like my lobes and nose). So guns are more likely to cause infection? and playing with the earrings? I never knew that. I don't remember the piercing itself being painful, I remember the weeks following being quite horrendous painwise - that it what turns me off having my baby's ears done the most. I also didn't realise peircings were permanant because if I take mine out for more than a few days, my holes all close over ...

I think we have the same ears

As I said before, I put it down to, that's just my ears... being that they are the same now as they were then. Panda has the same problems if she wears cheap earrings for too long, she can only wear them for a few hours.
On a side note, this means that I have had to buy her surgical sleepers for all the holes SHE has inflicted on her ears without our permission. What a stink when I suggested that since she had done it, she could pay for the earrings....

[Raupe]

All piercings can get an infection, gun or needle. Yes, some people are more prone to infections. My main problems with the gun method are 1, they use blunt studs which tear through the skin 2, there is no way to completely sterilise the gun because of the plastic components 3, they are usually not done in sterile surroundings 4, they are usually done by people who have VERY little training.

They use blunt studs here? Geez, glad you told me, I'll never get a gun piercing in Australia then! That's mad Mine were really pointy/sharp on one end and the gun was made entirely from metal (that's the only legal one that they use in doctor's offices). Yep, I wouldn't use the guns you described on my kids either. Go needles!

[meow]

I think your H is a wise man. I don't like seeing earrings on children too young to consent and I think it's far nicer to know you've delayed out of respect for your children's choice. So in that sense I do find it 'tacky'.

[toomanyshoes]

They use blunt studs here? Geez, glad you told me, I'll never get a gun piercing in Australia then! That's mad Mine were really pointy/sharp on one end and the gun was made entirely from metal (that's the only legal one that they use in doctor's offices). Yep, I wouldn't use the guns you described on my kids either. Go needles!

Well it's what I consider "blunt" yes it has a tapered tip which is "pointy" but it is by no means "sharp" like a hollow need.

[Raupe]

Ahhh, OK!

[Glamourcide]

Wow.

Why do people pierce babies ears so young?

I haven't read all the responses yet so someone may have already answered this, but it's quite common for Drs and piercers who are asked about the procedure, to recommend that it be done either BEFORE 8 months of age, or then left until after the child's 3rd birthday, because that window in between is when littlies discover body parts and start to pull and tug at their bits and pieces, especially their ears etc, increasing the risk of infection. It's thought that piercing a baby's ears before they hit that curious and capable 8-month mark will decrease the risk of infection or damage to the lobes because they haven't yet worked out how to pull or touch their ears, and they can heal without interference, and it's easier for Mum to clean them as they are more likely to be able to sit still/be held still while it's being done twice daily.
I didn't want to get the DDs' ears pierced that early because I figured it was unnecessary, and FWIW when I took DD1 to get her ears pierced at 17 months (ish, I can't remember the exact age but it was when she started daycare so that's how I remember), she had been asking about 'getting pretties' for a while (DH and I are both tattooed and pierced and she is fascinated by them). I fully acknowledge that she was far too young to understand me when I explained that it would hurt and that she would have to let Mummy help clean them while they healed, but that explanation didn't put her off and she was really excited about getting her ears pierced. I would not have put her through it if I didn't think she could handle it, but this is the kid who never sheds a tear at vaccinations and jumps right back up and keeps going even with a skinned knee. Pain doesn't bother her much, and she was fine as soon as she saw in the mirror that she had the earrings she wanted.
Sure, I could have waited, and yes, I do sound like a hypocrite when I speak so adamantly against infant circumcision, but for me, the two procedures are very different things.

As for wanting to 'feminise' a little girl by getting her ears pierced, YES. I have often considered it for DD2 purely for that reason - I dress that poor kid in head-to-toe pink, frills and all the rest, and people STILL say, 'What a cute little boy, look at those curls!' Right now, that's not reason enough for me to get her ears pierced, she's not quite as advanced as DD1 was at that age and therefore wouldn't understand, so I won't force it upon her, but yeah, I can see why parents choose to do it if they're constantly trying to find ways around the awkward, '...but she's... a she?' thing.

[*Beema*]

I'm one not for doing it this young... and I haven't read all 6 pages of this thread

I think it should be the childs decision when they are a bit older. It is a personal decision
That the child is old enough to be responsible to look after them by themselves - learning about them, infections, cleaning earings etc
And I think it looks a bit tacky

And I most certainly wouldn't go behind DH's back and get it done.... let alone contemplate involving a third person in the equation, it would be something that I would most definitely want to be there for.

[maz]

but it's quite common for Drs and piercers who are asked about the procedure, to recommend that it be done either BEFORE 8 months of age, or then left until after the child's 3rd birthday, because that window in between is when littlies discover body parts and start to pull and tug at their bits and pieces, especially their ears etc, increasing the risk of infection. It's thought that piercing a baby's ears before they hit that curious and capable 8-month mark will decrease the risk of infection or damage to the lobes because they haven't yet worked out how to pull or touch their ears, and they can heal without interference, and it's easier for Mum to clean them as they are more likely to be able to sit still/be held still while it's being done twice daily.

oh really...find that interesting but yep totally understandable. I gather thats why circumsision ( so cant spell sorry) is done so early, off track I know but another understandable thing to a degree.

I dont know how my lot would have gone getting their ears done that early though, mine all threw their hands up around their head alot and loved tugging at their ears.

Never less I still cant justify doing it to my babies no matter how cute it might look but hey, each to their own

[Junglemum]

sparkly, sparkly earrings, how i love to see you shine.

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I had mine pierced at 10, all of us had to wait til we were 10. Just a warning on those cute kiddie earrings with the plastic posts and backs - DON'T USE THEM! Mum gave me some as a present, and I didn't want to lose them, so I kept pushing in the back to make sure they didn't fall out. The plastic back ended up IN the hole and it got so badly infected, I still remember Mum cleaning it with dettol and me screaming coz she had to get it out, and her crying coz I was screaming

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Ouch keike... nasty.
I think i will sit down with DP and see what he says then maybe next time i am at the DR's ask what they think about it as well for a medical stand point

[Hectic Mother]

Hi, I wouldn't say its "tacky" but it may be too adult? It would be nice if they had a choice if they want them or not. If they get pierced ears when they're older then that will be something exciting for them instead of being forced into it when they were younger. I have to say, my mum pierced my ears when I was one years old. I never had a say and I think its better if you just let your girls decide for themselves. It could be something nice for them to look forward to on their 12th birthday.

[Meercat]

I havent read all the replies... but I will be waiting with my DD

My sister is desperate to get Tiah's ears done, has already given her little gold star earrings! She asks me if we can get it done about once every damn week!

I would much rather do it when she asks me if she can have it done. Then we can have a girly day, she can choose her earrings, get it done and then we can have a babychino afterwards to celebrate