She wouldn’t be a little girl if she didn’t want her ears pierced at some point in her life. For every girl, this moment comes at a different time. Some know from the moment they notice sparkly, dangling earrings that they want their ears pierced, while others are too busy playing in the dirt to really notice or think that getting their ears pierced would mean they are ‘girly girls’ and resist the urge. Either way, the ultimate decision is up to parents, and it is important to consider several factors before allowing your daughter to get artificial holes in her ears. Who knows? It could start with earrings and end up with a tongue piercing, tattoos, and a navel ring. You certainly don’t want to go from getting your daughter’s ears pierced to taking the blame for their love of tattoos.
Some families have their daughters’ ears pierced when they are just newborns. Although this can be cute and a clear way to differentiate your baby from boys, it isn’t without risks. Ear piercings must be cared for properly from the start to avoid infection. Some infants, with highly sensitive immune systems, may have allergic reactions to the metal or can develop infections in their ears that are difficult and dangerous to treat. One of the benefits of piercing an infant’s ears is that the fear factor is minimal; most will cry momentarily and then be soothed by a breast or bottle. Still, babies have hands that are prone to wandering, and it may just be a matter of time before they start grabbing their earrings and pulling at them, which can lead to tears in the ear. Pediatricians typically do not recommend against piercing an infant’s ears; however, as a parent, you need to consider the reasons for doing so and all the associated risks. A baby or toddler is often too young to take care of their ears or avoid situations where the earrings might be pulled out. If you do choose to pierce your infant daughter’s ears, do it at the pediatrician’s office if they offer it (most do). This way, it will be done safely.
The majority of parents wait until their daughter is old enough to desire ear piercing for herself. This can happen at any age, depending on the child. There are several things to consider first. If your child is in elementary school, you will need to be honest and let her know that there will be a pain factor. While the pain may not be significant enough for an adult to avoid ear piercing, to a 6 or 7-year-old, the thought of a needle piercing their ear can be pretty dramatic. For this reason, it is best to explain the procedure to your child and detail the aftercare procedures. If your daughter is not very cooperative with medicines and routine tasks like tooth brushing, then getting her ears pierced might need to wait. Explain that she will be responsible for allowing you to clean her ears, twist the earrings, and ensure that everything stays clean. Additionally, if you go ahead with the ear piercing, try to find a place that will do both ears at once. There are plenty of little girls walking around with one ear pierced because they were too afraid to get the second one done after feeling the first.
Choosing the Right Place for Piercing
Choosing a place to get your daughter’s ears pierced is important. You should resist doing it yourself or going to a place that is not clean or kid-friendly. The makeup counter at your local department store or Wal-Mart may not be the best option. First of all, these people aren’t trained or licensed (which is required in some locales), and you could risk your daughter getting a serious infection. The best place to start is your doctor’s office. At least they will prioritize hygiene and will be experienced in piercing children’s ears. If your pediatrician doesn’t offer this service, call around to jewelry stores or other locations to see if they have someone qualified to do it properly. If your child is hesitant, let her check it out before the procedure and allow her time to think about it. It can be frustrating as a mother to take your child to the shop, only to spend an hour waiting for her to stop crying so the technician can proceed. Try not to force it; this may be a sign that she isn’t ready.
Another word to the wise: if your daughter is involved in sports, you should probably wait until after the season is over! Most rules and regulations for competitive sports require that little girls do not wear earrings (or any jewelry for that matter) during competitions. If you get your daughter’s ears pierced, the studs or starter earrings are required to stay in for 6-8 weeks without being removed. Wearing helmets and following game rules can make it a bad time to take the plunge into pierced ears.
If your daughter doesn’t seem interested in getting her ears pierced but you are, remember it will just be one more thing to take care of. Let’s face it: little girls are no cleaner than little boys or puppies, for that matter. There is nothing wrong with waiting if your child doesn’t want to do it! There will be plenty of time to get her ears pierced when she is old enough to go herself and do it with friends. It seems today that children are growing up faster than ever. Remember, there is nothing wrong with a girl who doesn’t want to get her ears pierced for any reason. When the time comes, your first concern should be safety and choosing a reputable, hygienic piercing place.
