Trying to decide about ear piercing for your daughter? I was too! So I asked all the lovely moms over on our Facebook page: “Those of you who have girls, how did you (or how do you plan to) deal with piercing their ears. As babies? At a certain age? Or don’t pierce at all?”
We got tons of great replies so I thought I’d share them with you. Lots of different views, stories and experiences to help you make the very best decision for your family.
When They Are Little
I got my daughters ears done at 4 months. No fuss, no infection, no problems. — Korrine
My daughter was 7 months old. Not really a lot to care for just basic cleaning. She never had any issues with them and she is now 4. — Priscilla
My daughter is 7 now, I had her ears pierced when she was 6 months old. I think the older they get, they either want them or want them & get really nervous about it. She cried for like 2 seconds & was fine. I know some people want their kids to wait to a certain age. I had my ears done when I was 7 & loved wearing earrings as a kid. I then had a 2nd piercing at 14 & a 3rd at 17. I have lots more now in my ears. haha. –Kimberly
Both our girls done under 6 months – easiest ever no infections easy to clean, heal up before they even know they are there. Our oldest has friends (3yrs+ ) who have had then done 3+ time due to infections — Kate
We pierced my daughter’s ears when she was 4 months. Early enough that it wasn’t a big deal & that she was just always used to having something in her ear. Our pediatrician’s office starts ear piercing at 6 months. — Rachelle
I’m due in January. I plan on having her ears pierced as soon as possible. So, between 2-6 months. — Alexandra
My daughter was about 8 months old when I had hers done. My MIL and I took her to Merle Norman in the mall and they had a really nice clean/calm environment. She cried for maybe 3 minutes and was over. She’s 8 now and tells me she’s “soooo glad you did it when I was a baby so now I don’t remember lol.” My parents let me get mine done when I was 7-8 and I didn’t take care of them the way I was supposed to, they got infected, grew back and I had to have them redone. For us, as a baby worked well and I’ll do the same with my daughter who I’m pregnant with 🙂 — Jess
We went to a local earring shop that does piercings and they did our daughter’s at 11 months. She whimpered, but started smiling when she saw them in a mirror. I’m glad we did them early because she never messed with them or tried to take them out. –Jacki
18 months, so she doesnt mess with them, and it’s like just a part of her, as she gets older. — Tracy
I live in México, and here, the piercing is done at the hospital before going home after birth. — Gaby
I’m a Canadian living in Mexico, had my baby girl here 9 months ago. Everyone was shocked that she didn’t have her ears pierced when she left the hospital and you wouldn’t believe how many people called me out on it. I just couldn’t do it to her perfect little ears, and was worried about infection and allergies which I suffer from and it’s painful and annoying as an adult nevermind a newborn. — Angela
When They Ask
I waited till she asked, then discussed the process. She was 4, and all went well. — Wanda
Her choice. She got them pierced around the age of 9. — Sheryl
My 6yo has been asking for them. I will take her to the pediatrician to get them done. — Kelly
I waited till my daughter asked me too she wants them done for 4th bday. — Jade
My daughter got hers done when she was 2. She did ask but I was more than willing to allow it. –Melinda
They can choose if they want them pierced when they are 5 or older. My two older girls got their ears pierced at 5 and have done a great job caring for them and keeping up with their earrings. — Lextin
My parents were really strict about when I could get my ears pierced. I decided that if I had a girl, I would let her pierce them whenever she wanted. My daughter asked when she was 4, so we went and got them pierced. I had to take care of them for her, but I didn’t mind. — Sarah
When my daughter asked to have her ears ”done”, I took her for her 4th Birthday. She’s an expensive child. Her birthstone is a diamond (April) & she has a metal allergy. Hypoallergenic, real gold, & sterling silver is all she can wear. — Jamie
We have four daughters. Each and every one asked at a different age. We made them wait until we felt they could manage the care of the piercing themselves (for the most part). When they are able to take responsibility for it, then it’s time. One of ours was 8, while the rest waited until they were 12-15 years old. Depends on your daughter. Make it a “coming of age” thing. That way they appreciate themselves and the fact they are getting older and more mature so the added pressure is more of a privilege. — Sheila
My fiances daughter got hers pierced when she was 6 months and now looks like it’s where a 2nd hole should be. I waited for my daughter to enjoy it when she turned 5. — Becky
My girls didn’t get pierced until they were old enough to decide for themselves. It hurts and they need to have a choice in it. –Becki
We waited until she was ready/asked for it herself as we wanted it to be her choice (great experience at mall shop, did both ears at the same time so less fear/anticipation). That said, my recommendation is to ask her pediatrician as many Dr’s offices actually do it, or will guide you to a good local place. –Meridith
Her choice. At almost five she is not interested at all (much to my dismay)! — Devany
When They Can Care for Them
I waited until my daughter asked for them AND was old enough to take care of them herself. — Cathy from Life’s Hidden Treasures
When she’s old enough to take care of them. I was eleven, it was a birthday gift. I plan to do the same kind of thing. — Samantha
I was 15, almost 16. I wouldn’t do it for my children until they were old enough to ask for it and take care of it during the healing process….maybe 8 or 9 at youngest. It is also worth noting that ears continue to grow and change shape as the child gets older. Sometimes a piercing that is centered on the lobe now will be off-center and look odd later in life. — Caitlyn
I didn’t let mine get theirs pierced until they were old enough to care for them properly; 12 years. — Susie
We will wait until she asks and can prove she’s responsible to keep them clean. I know most girls do want them pierced but I just don’t want to decide for her when it’s purely cosmetic. — Adrianne
When she’s old enough to both want it and take care of the piercings, she can have her ears pierced at a tattoo shop where they use the correct tools. — Mary
We have two girls. No ear piercing here until they are both old enough to ask for them AND old enough to care for them on their own. Our oldest is nearly 9 and still doesn’t have hers done. — Dusty
Waited til she was 12 (old enough to be responsible to care for them herself) and then let her decide. She got hers pierced and after about 6 months quit wearing them. — Sharon
I decided that when we feel they are old enough to take care of them themselves, and if they ask, they can do it then, don’t get me wrong, babies with pierced ears are adorable (IMO), but I don’t need anything else on my to-do list. (My parents said we couldn’t get ours pierced until we were 12, I didn’t love that rule, but it didn’t hate it either.) –Michelle
More Things to Think About
Got my ears pierced when very young. Looked centered until about 12. Now both piercings are on edge of ear. I’m waiting based on my history. — April
We had to be 12 years old. We got my oldest daughter’s done at 12 years and she did not take care of them. We only pay once for them. The next time she had to pay and she still has them pierced and she takes care of them. She is now 23 years old. My husband and I have a 7 and 6 year old together and neither one has asked yet for them to be done. –Kathy
I was forced to get mine pierced because I was too much of a tomboy. I took excellent care of them until I developed an allergic reaction. Wish I had never gotten them at all. Let her decide when she is old enough. I have let mine close. –Maria
Fun Ideas
My mom and I had them done together. — Shavonne
I had mine done as a small child and developed a metal allergy so I can rarely wear earrings now. Mine will be old enough to ask for it, take care of it, and pay for it. We’re really into clip on earrings for my girls (12, 9, and 6). We buy the ones from the teeny bopper jewelry stores. There isn’t a large selection so I also bought the jewelry hardware from the craft store so they can make their own designs. We haven’t done it yet but maybe soon! — Wendy
A friend gave me the idea when my daughter was 22 months that her daughter wanted her pierced so she got potty trained and got it as her reward. My daughter saw the earrings and kept pointing to her own ears I explained if she wanted her ears pierced she would need to be potty trained. That’s all it took within a month she was fully potty trained and didn’t have any accidents. Not saying it works for everyone but it did for us. — Tess
My daughter has one pair of dress up clip ons that she loves and she also likes the sticker earrings! — Devany from Still Playing School
I don’t have a little girl but for me it was my “graduation” present when I finished kindergarten. — Emilie
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Allison B says
I decided to wait until my daughter asked for it. She did at 6 and we happened to be at the mall when another girl was getting her ears pierced when we got there. After watching that girl get her ears pierced she said she didn’t want them anymore. I’m sure she’ll ask again but almost a year later she still says no way is she getting her ears pierced.
Barb W says
3-6 months when you can take total care of them. My grand daughter had hers done at 5 and she messed with them constantly until she finally took them out and lost the ear rings, the holes closed and it had to be done again. I recommend the earlier the better.
julienne says
A good piercing artist knows and will inform nervous parents about the cleaning process, which is no more of a hassle than tending to your baby. The healing effects alone are worth the singular moment of pain as they will be free of defects if the proper jewelry is put in. Babies heal at a faster rate than a 9 or 12 year old girl, and the pain dissolves nearly instantly as so many other things are going on whereas an older child can focus on the stinging or burning sensation.
Always use hypoallergenic metals with babies as allergies are less likely to form. And don’t forget the safety backings so baby doesn’t get scratched!
kristen desjadon says
Both my sister&I had to wait til we were16! I didn’t mind and my daughter had to wait til she was16.
Lara says
i was in third grade, and my cousin (RN) pierced them in our kitchen. My daughter has been told that she can either wait until she’s 12 or if she keeps her room clean without being reminded for three months straight (either not going to happen or will build a good habit) then she can get them pierced. She’s 8 now so there might be hope yet.
Maggie Mouton says
I have 3 daughters. I felt it was not my decision to make (their bodies not mine) They all had it done in their late teens and were old enough to decide if the want it & to care for their ears themselves. <3
Heather says
Another side, I would never do them with a gun, at a mall. Having been a mall piercer, made me realize just how bad gun piercing is.
Some issues;
cross contamination- many things are used more then once, like pens and can lead to sickness, also most mall piercers are not taught about blood borne diseases.
poor training-
The training at the major mall chain I worked was similar to other popular store who offer piercing, that included reading a pamphlet, piercing a foam ear, possibly piercing one employees ear, and then you were allowed to pierce customers. We often had employees who never pierced a real persons ear, before piercing customers. I was one of those people.
Gun issues- The way the piercing guns work can cause major issues when they fail. I had two cartridges fail when piercing customers, the earring in one locked part in the ear, part in the cartridge, one the piercing had to be redone, the other, left me to push the earring the last bit through the flesh, the customer never knew about that failure, just knew it hurt.
Another issue that is very common, is the gun, jumps and does not create a straight hole. This is very common and the reason a lot of people have issues wearing certain types of earrings or have part of their piercing close up.
Basically after being on the other side and seeing kids bleed, quite a bit, and cry horribly. After seeing how poor the training is, and the failure rate of this type of equipment, I have decided to wait with my kids, just like my Mom made me wait, till I am old enough to ask and it can be done by a professional piercer.
Alida says
Thanks for adding your experience, this is something I never thought about before everyone’s comments! This has been such a helpful thread.
Katy says
Being a store manager of one of those chain stores once, I couldn’t agree more. The training we were given was terrible. I am surprised that these stores are still able to do what they do.
Pamela M. says
I am a mom of two daughters who had their ears pierced when they were four years old and wanted them. But I’m also an early childhood teacher who has cared for more than 100 children in thirty years. I have cared for many young baby girls whom had no issues with pierced ears at that age..perhaps once or twice an earring was lost but moms realized that was a possibility. But recently I’ve had a toddler in my care who had her ears just done at twelve months and she will not leave them in..they have gotten infected and so many have gotten lost and broken..it’s been a real struggle..her parents are even at odds, because mom keeps trying and dad said to leave then out at this point..just another side of the story to add
Alida says
Thanks for adding. There’s so much to think about and it’s so case-by-case depending on the child!
Sandra says
I can’t remember if there was a “rule” about what age I could get my ears pierced when I lived at home, but did get them done when I was 18. Ouch! That was 40 years ago, and now one side has grown back in. I keep saying I’ll get my ears pierced again, but I never do 🙂
My kids had to be 14 before they could get theirs done. All 3 did, but I’m not real sure they wear them every day, though they do wear them.
My oldest wanted to get her nose done, when she was 16 so, at Xmas, I put a fake on in my nose as a “surprise”. She didn’t get hers done, after that, lol.
My middle daughter has her chin pierced, too.
Cassie says
My doctor tried to tell me that the ear lobe grows at different rates, to wait for age 5 before piercing my daughter’s ears. I didn’t listen and had them done at 3 months. They were pierced dead center by a professional jeweler. But sure enough, as she got older, the ear lobe grew at different rate in different areas and the ear holes ended up very close to her head. She was upset. My bad. Should have listened to the doctor.
Julie Wardrope says
I think babies and toddlers with their ears pierced is horrible and doesn’t look pretty at all. My daughter will get it done when she asks and is old enough to take care of them herself. Probably around 12 at the earliest. If she wants it done at all.
Zuki says
I had my grandmother pierce my daughters ears just like she did mine when I was little. My daughter was 4weeks old, cried for a minute and forgot about it.
Tinajo says
Me and my husband decided on waiting until she was 12, old enough to care for them her self. It was hard enough wen she got a splintering in her hand. We didn’t want to make they decision for her. So on her 12 th birthday she asked and she got them pierce. And she doing really good about taking care of them. Glad we waited her choice her body.
Megan says
My parents let us choose when we got our ears pierced. (Once they thought we would be responsible to clean them.) I got my ears pierced around 11 but my younger sister was probably 15 or 16 until she decided that she truly wanted her ears pierced. I know women who chose not to have their ears pierced so I am going to wait until my daughter(s) are sure that they want them pierced.
Karen says
One thing that people should think about is how UNSAFE it is to have ears pierced with Piercing Guns. There is not enough out there that tells people this. Maybe another idea for a post! If you want any information, let me know. I am currently working on getting the info up on my website, and will be having information at a booth at a local baby expo this weekend. Guns are unsanitary and do not create a proper hole. So many reasons to wait!
Isabel says
I am from Guatemala, and in Central America, all baby girls are pierced at hospital when born. I have two daughters and they didn’t even cry, since they are still anesthetized from delivery. Not traumatized at all, the pediatrician puts the small studs after the baby is cleaned as part of the routine. They look adorable with their earrings as little girls.
Kel says
I had the option to have mine done at around 13 and I’d wanted them for a while but at the time decided against it because by then I was getting pimples on the earlobes so I thought they’d probably just get infected. My daughter is 5 now and hasn’t asked for them to be done and I believe it’s her body so it should be her choice.
pam clarkson says
i got my god daughter ears done at 2 mts , i dont see anything wrong with it
me says
It’s not a smart thing: http://www.rainbowforevertrust.com/earcharts.html , I got it at 6y and I regret it. I’m making it close. I would’t allow my (maybe) future dauhter to do it.