My husband has finally agreed to allow me to have Helen's ears pierced. For the moms who have had their daughters' ears pierced as babies, did you have any problem with the symmetry or placement of the holes as your child's ears grew?
I've asked my cousins, but they don't really remember.
Also, any tips on care?
Thanks.
Once again, please don't turn this into a debate on the practice of infant ear piercing. We won't ever see eye to eye.

Ame

By Marcia on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:13 am:

I had all of my girls done as babies, and they were all fine. The first time I paid more at a specialty place, and the next 2 I just did it at a hairdresser. The results were the same, so I didn't need to spend so much the first time. Live and learn.
They mark the spots with a marker, and make sure they're even before they do it. They all still look good, and they're now 9, 10 and 12.
Don't forget to post a pic when you get them done!

By Latonya on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:24 am:

I had Ashley's done at 1yr and she is now 13yr and hers is just fine. I had hers done at Wal Mart. They also mark the spot with a marker and have you look at them to see if you like where they are before they do it.

By Karefl on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:36 am:

My pediatritian office does ear piercing. I have boys so I don't have any advice here. My twin nieces had theirs done as infants though & they still look fine.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 10:37 am:

I have had no problems with Maddie's, or my own. Maddie's were done at 6 months, and are just fine. As for care, swab with the solution they give you twice a day, and turn them each time.

By Amyl on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 03:10 pm:

no problems here, just make sure that the dots they make with the markers are even stand back and look at them. Both of my girls were done as infants, and are fine now. Never had any problems.

By Babysitbarb on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 04:20 pm:

I had both of my DD's ears done at 3 months and they are just fine. They have never had any problems with them.Just make sure you clean them good like they say to.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 06:05 pm:

Definitely have it done by a doctor, and follow instructions carefully. You're right, I wouldn't agree, but it's not my decision.

By Cat on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 06:16 pm:

I haven't had any little girl's ears done, but have several piercings of my own, including three in each ear lobe. Yes, they can migrate, but that can happen any time, not just as a baby. There's an 11yo at church whose holes are quite large because she hasn't taken care of them like she should have. I don't know how long they've been pierced. I'd suggest either having a ped pierce them or letting a professional piercer do it. Piercing places usually have a bad rap, and some can be kind of seedy and not very kid friendly, but with an infant it's not like she'll know what she's looking at anyway. In my experience piercings done with needles heal faster and better than those done with guns. Also, with needles they can mark both the front and the back so the piercing is straight where as with the gun they only mark the front and the hole could be crooked (I have a couple like that and it can be a pain with certain ear rings). Jmho, of course. If you do choose a professional piercer make sure they use one time only needles and don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck.

By Amecmom on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 06:16 pm:

I knew at least one person wouldn't agree, but I appreciate the sentiment and the advice.
I am going to have it done by the doctor. I'm glad to hear of no problems with symmetry as the ears grow.
Ame

By Maddysmommy on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 07:45 pm:

i had madison ears done and we had no problems, they do match them up and i got her's done in the mall .they do recommend that you use a 14 ct. posts.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 07:52 am:

I had Jen's done by our Ped when she was a baby, no problems in any way whatsoever. If you want to read more, there IS an old thread on the Debate board, I believe, on this same subject.

By Amecmom on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 10:50 am:

Thanks for the info, Cat. I had mine done with a needle and surgical thread when I was about 7. I was so embarrased to be going to school with black sutures in my ears!

The doc will do them. I'm not really comfortable taking her anywhere else, even though I'm sure a professional piercer would probably do the best job.

I have three pair of 18K baby earrings that were sent by my relatives in Italy, and I'm just dying for her to wear them so I can take pictures and send them.

Thanks Karen, I remember the debate well, which is why I asked that this not be turned into one. It really is a debate about the practice, and I don't recall this particular question being addressed.
Ame

By Truestori on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 03:57 pm:

I had my daughter's done as a baby and now she is 12 and has two in each ear! I personally think it looks really cute on little girls, and I plan on taking my little sister who is 1 month to get hers pierced soon. Goodluck

By Kaye on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:54 pm:

Mine were done at age 3, they are still symetrical and I have no issues. They were done in the mall..lol. My dd's were also done via the mall at age and done with a gun and a marker. I would go to the ped if I were going to have another one, but these have been just fine.