9.5 Month Old Ear Piercing

Make it as comfortable as possible? Yes, I have a solution, don't do it! Why would you want to inflict pain and discomfort on your infant all for the sake of aesthetic gratification. Gratificatin, I might ad, that she can't even enjoy being as how she is only 9.5 months old. Not only are you going to cause her temporary pain, but there is the potential for long term problems too, such as infection. Not to mention, that she could easily pull the earing out (likelihood being high since it is a foreign object and sensitive), which may cause her earlobe to tear. Oh, and then there is the good possibility of her swallowing then choking on the jewlrey. I don't mean to be negative while I'm putting my two cents in, it's just that I couldn't personally imagine purposefully inflicting unecessary pain on an infant. I could understand piercing the ear of a child that has a conscious awareness of the procedure and is okay with it, but to do it on an unsuspecting infant, that can't even verbalize when her tummy hurts, is cruel. Now, don't think I am anti-piercing or anything like that, because I am anything but. As a matter of fact, I have had a number of piercings in my day including, but not limited to, my navel, tongue (two studs), ear lobes, eyebrow, nose, tragus, inner conch, daith, lip..... I've never had a piercing experience that was anything other than unpleasnt. So, if you do go through with it, I can't think of anything to help ease her pain and the healing process.

M.,
Awww....she is still so small. Maybe you would consider waiting. Whats the hurry. I am SURE shes beautifully cute w/out them. If your mind is made up there is stuff that can be prescribed by pediatrician that numbs the skin. When I asked my doctor prescribed it for my daughters shots. I would ask the pediatrician for a prescription to use for next shots and then you can use it for her ears as well. I forget what its called but your dr. would know. Above all ....I would consider waiting though...just in case ...so you dont' end up with more trouble than you need. Babies are enough to care for as it is. And they go through enough just in normal growing and learning. Hope I havent offended you. :)
K.

If you're determined to do it, please make sure it's done by a doctor at a medical office. Ear piercing places/practitioners have to be licensed but there's no guarantee that anywhere you go will be hygienic. People have gotten some serious, life-threatening bacterial & viral infections from ear piercing in un-sterile environments, including MSRA (that fatal strain of staph), pseudomonas and hepatitis B & C. Even though it's a cosmetic procedure most pediatricians will do it to keep their patients out of the mall, and a doctor would be able to direct you on pain relief too.

I will not tell you to wait. Its you choice. My only comment is that if you have waited this long what's the rush. Maybe at 2 or 3 she will ask. I would give tylenol before and if she is still taking the bottle or binky have those ready. They may help soothe her. And to be extra safe ask you ped what they recomend. Maybe there is a place or something they would suggest before.
Good luck!