[Image Description: Background is several triangles in a circle like a pie alternating from true red, scarlet and black. A robin is sitting on his perch looking to the right.
Top Text: “Piercing three month old’s ears”
Bottom Text: “Random passers by look at you like you’re committing murder”]I work at a chain jewelry kiosk where we pierce ears starting at 3 months. Today I was piercing a little girl who was 3 1/2 months, and as I went to do the second ear (I was the only employee on so they couldn’t be done at the same time) she was crying and squirming like babies do. Right after I get the second one done a woman from the Macys store near us stopped and asked “Did you just pierce that baby’s ears?” I answered yes and she just gave me this shocked look and quickly walked away.
I don’t make the company policy. If I want to work there I adhere to what they tell me.
Why is this awful? The baby won’t remember getting it done. Ear piercings are about as painful as getting a shot, which most babies get at one point or another. And they’re pretty safe. My grandmother had this done to me when I was about that age. And I looked damn cute.
I wouldn’t pierce MY baby’s ears, I’d wait till they wanted them done (I got mine at about age 7). I guess people find issues in the fact that the babies can’t consent to the piercings…like putting the baby through the pain for the parent’s satisfaction. I’unno.
I’m not going to pierce my daughter’s ears until she’s old enough to tell me that she wants them done. I wish I hadn’t circumcised my son, but what’s done is done. It’s their body and their decision to make.