Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Robin,
    
    My neice got her ears pierced at about 4 mos. old.  I don't know
    if she was fussy that day or not, but she never tried to play
    with them and still doesn't (she's almost 3).
    
    My other neice got her ears pierced at 6 yrs. old and complained
    and fussed with them constantly.
    
    If you've made the decision to get her ears pierced, my opinion
    is that it's better to do it early.
    
    Linda

    I have heard that piercing ears at a very young age (before 1??)
    caused less problems of fussiness and touching and complaining. I think
    they also recommend solid gold earings to reduce risk of infection. 
    
    I would say ask your pedi if giving something like tylenol or maybe
    some ice of the earlobes immediately after will help decrease the
    chance of fussiness. Tylenol may have no effect of earlobes - who
    knows?!?
    
    My neighbor's daughter just had her's pierced at 5 years old and she
    has been very good with them. I think level of comfort and fussiness
    also depends upon the child. 
    
    Let us know how your daughter does!!
    Andrea 

    
    Jim's kid sister got her ears pierced at 6 years of age, TOO! ... and
    I've never known of any one having so many problems with them as this
    kid did!  She wanted them pierced (of course with MUCH prompting from
    Mommy!) and then screamed and fussed and complained and pulled at them
    and prematurely removed the earrings and had infection after infection
    after infection ... on and on and on!  Even a year later, she's still 
    having problems!! ... but I swear 90% of the problems are 
    "self"-inflicted!
    
    My niece had hers done at about 9 years of age and had no problem
    (other than maybe a light infection after the initial earrings were
    removed).  That was 4 years ago.
    
    I see and hear of a lot of infants and pre-toddlers having it done and
    they don't seem to have that many problems with it ... and most people
    do say they "leave the earrings alone".
    
    FWIW ...
    
    Dottie

    My neighbor had his daughter's ears pierced when she was 6 or 7
    months old.  No pain, no infection, no problem, no playing.  
    
    I think this is true up to about a year old; up to that age, the
    child doesn't really have enough perception of her body to
    identify the feeling as belonging to her.  If she can't see it,
    she doesn't notice it. 
    
    My impression from watching other kids etc. is that 6 years old is
    just about the worst possible time in terms of expecting them to
    not bother it.  
    
    --bonnie

    My 3 year old niece had hers done over 6 months ago with no problems. 
    My almost 7 year old had hers done around 5 months ago, again with no
    problems.  I really agree with the older kids, personality has a lot to
    do with it!
    

We had Katelyn's done at around 14 months.  She screamed while we held her
steady to pierce, but once the earrings were in she was quiet and never seemed
to mess with them.  We found a place that had two piercing guns and would do
both ears at the same time for babies.

We have often wished we did it sooner, though, because she did not like us 
putting alcohol on them 3 times per day for 10 days.  At an early age she would
not have noticed.  Also, she wouldn't have minded being restricted while they
pierced if she was a bit younger.

The ONLY problem we have ever had is when taking clothes off.  Occasionally
a shirt, dress, or bib will catch on her earring and pull it, and she complains.
You have to be careful about that.

With the next one (assuming and hoping and praying it's a girl!) we plan to
do it much earlier (under 6 months)!

Good Luck!
Kristen

    We had Adreinne's ears pierced when she was 9 months old.  After the
    initial shock she was fine.  She never pulled on them or had any
    infections.  She is now 4 (almost 5) and I noticed that on one ear
    the area around it seems to be flaky/dry.  I don't know if it is
    because she sleeps on this side more ofter or what.  It is not infected
    and I keep putting cream on it.  Anyone have any ideas as to what
    it may be?
    
    My second daughter is 8 months old now and when I bring her for
    her 9 month check-up, I plant on having her ears pierced also. 
    I think the younger they are the easier it is on both them and
    mommy/daddy.  I remember when I have my ears pierced (maybe 16)
    it hurt soooo bad I drove my mom crazy.  Then crazy me went and
    had another hole done and it was even worse that I let them close.
    What a waist of money!
    
    Good Luck,
    Denise

    re: .7
    
    Denise, 
    
    Based on my daughter's experiences, two things come to mind:
    
    It could be an allergic reaction to the metal in the earring.
    
    Maybe the back of the front of the earring (the part of the front
       that rests against the ear, I mean, not the piece in back that
       holds the earring on) isn't very clean.  Try scrubbing it with
       alcohol.
    
    --bonnie

    We had our daughters pierced at 8 months. She was back to laughing by
    the time we left the store. She doesn't even know they are there. No
    infection or anything.
      We got hers done at the Mall of New Hampshire, for under $10
    including the earings. They all use 24k plating over surgical steel.
    Make sure you clean them 3 times a day for six weeks.
    
    
                              Jeff

    This may sound dumb since it might be so obvious I can't see the
    answer.  How do you insure that the post and backs don't come apart in
    a small child, while sleeping or playing, or keep them from getting
    caught in bedding?  I know the initial piercing earings have a snap type
    backing which is difficult to get apart, but what about the regular
    ones?  Second, is it difficult to get the child to sit still long
    enough to put the earring in, clean it, and/or get the backing on?
    
    Just curious, since I have a SON whom I hope NEVER want an earring!
    Lyn
    

    Thanks for all your replys.
    
    Kati got her ears pierced Monday, and just as many of you said has not
    even noticed them in her ears.
    
    She cried a little, I think she was mostly scared.  And by the time we
    left the doctors office was fine.  I was a reck before and had even
    after the whole thing was over I was a little shaky. 
    
    When we got home she had dinner and went to bed.  I thought she might
    be uncomfortable sleeping on them, but she was out like a light in only
    a matter of minutes.
    
    I am really glad we got them done when she was little.
    
    
    Robin

I've changed the title of this topic from "Infant Ear Piercing" to "Infant
Ear Piercing - Practical Questions" to reemphasize the base noter's intent,
and have created topic 430, "Ear Piercing - General Discussion" for discussion
outside of that specific topic (especially the "why / why not" issues).

	-Neil Faiman, PARENTING co-moderator