Baby Ear Piercing-No Thanks!

Ok, first off – I know many loving, beautiful mothers that choose to pierce their daughter’s ears at a young age and they are fantastic parents - I don’t think any less of them as a person or as a parent if they choose to do so. I hope my choices in life don’t make them think less of me either – but here are my reasons why I say F-that to piercing my daughter’s ears.


1 - Numero Uno, Body Autonomy

Ok, I’m going to start off with my biggest problem with this – the issue of consent.

If you were to ask a baby whether or not they would like to get their ear’s pierced, the baby would most definitely respond with ‘NO’.

Now, parents do things to babies that they object to all the time, like changing a diaper or giving a bath – but the difference with these events and piercing a baby’s ear is that the piercing does not enhance the infant’s quality of life, it’s painful and carries significant risks over, say, just changing a diaper.

The decision to pierce or modify the body should be left up to the individual, especially if it involves pain and risk.

There is great benefit in waiting until a child is old enough to grasp issues of the cost, that there is pain involved and the required aftercare – they have the potential to learn personal responsibly!

Involving children in their own health care can teach them to be active participants instead of passive recipients of their parent’s desires.


2 – They Allow Guns in the Mall?  

Ok, I’ve had many, many piercing in my life (tongue, lip, eyebrow, nose, bellybutton, etc) and I know one thing – piercing in a professional shop with a needle is a lot different then at the mall with a piercing gun.

The piercing gun is antiquated and causes a different wound then a needle does - via a blunt end forced through the skin.

Not only is this much more painful, but it takes longer to heal and has a higher rate of infection. Infants have an immature immune system as it is. Why take the risk?

Piercing guns cannot be fully sterilized. Hello! These piercing guns are used hundreds of times – yuck!!

3 – Claire’s is for Accessories NOT Piercings

I’m sorry, but there is no way in hell I would take my infant daughter to Claire’s or some random kiosk on a Saturday morning, subjecting her to what a 17 year old girl’s weekend training certificate deems worthy of a piercing debauchery.   

Piercing should be done by a reputable expert who follows aseptic procedures. Period.


4 – Gender Recognition

Don’t give me this crap about how I want my baby to look like a girl. Babies are perfect and beautiful the way they are.

If you want your baby to look like a girl, use a head band. There are many fun and safe alternatives then a piercing.

Conclusion

A lot of my friends that are moms who have daughters eventually get their ears pierced before their 1^st birthday – and I think these mothers are fabulous.

I just could not do it. It doesn’t make me right and them wrong – it just means I don’t get it.

Ear piercing of babies and young children cannot be claimed to be in the immediate best interest of the baby and causing unnecessary pain to a baby so they can look a desired way makes me scratch my head.

Ultimately, I exceedingly look forward to the day when my daughters come up to me and say, “Mom, I REALLY  want to get my ears pierced.” and then we can make a plan together to get it done.