Thread: Ear Pinning

My daughter is 4, and has quite sticky out ears. I've been thinking about it for a few months now and wondered what others thought?
Having had the discussion with hubby he's a bit reluctant to put her through it and sees it as my vanity rather than for our daughter, and perhaps we should wait until she's older.
My argument is that I'm very concious of my sticky out ears and wish I'd had something done about it when I was younger. And I'd rather do it now whilst she's young so she doesn't really remember it, and before any possible bullying.
I've looked into it a little bit and its only an hour's operation with a week of wearing bandages after that, so I don't think it will be that bad for her.
Has anyone else had this done on their child and how did you explain it to them? How did they cope with the surgery?
Hubby already calls her "wing nut" so I can only imagine her being bullied in a few years.

Hmmm, how bad are they? If she wore her hair down would they still stick through? Perhaps it is the combination of having fine four year old hair and it creates the illusion that they are worse than they actually are......



TLC x

I'd speak to your doctor first and get all the proper pukka gen info on what it actually entails before you do anything else. Although I'd be tempted to leave well alone if it's not worrying her at the minute. Watching your children going through surgery, however minor, is a hideous experience and I wouldn't want to repeat it unless it was absolutely necessary!

Don't they glue them these days?

Think it's only done if it impairs the hearing, cosmetic surgery for kids is frowned upon!

I knew a girly who had it done when she was 10 and 7 yrs later she still has awful keloids.

My little wing nut!
From what I've read they do it on the NHS on a regular basis.
I do understand what you're all saying about leaving it alone til it bothers her, which is Mr M's point of view. However, I was bullied when I was a kid and I wouldn't want to put her through that if there is something I can do about it now.
Its really difficult to know what to do for the best.

bless her she hasn't got big ears they just stick out a bit, she has loads of growing to do! Be thankful she isn't a ginger

Yup, I suppose sticky out ears is better than being ginger!!
I've only really noticed it in the last few months as she's growing. My ears were like that when I was a little girl, and they still stick out now but my hair is a bit thicker so its not so noticeable.

I had mine pinned back at the tender age of 4. I don't remember it so it wasn't that big a deal (I remember getting red patent leather shoes that summer.)

My sister didn't get her done until she was in her 30's and has a vivid recall of the whole event! Not a happy one!

There's a thread from a few years back about the same thing or about surgery/cosmetic procedures for kids.

Kitty has a mole on her face which we're hoping to have removed while she's still little.

If it's done to protect your child's feelings and to help them be a more confident person then go for it's my thoughts on it.

I thank my lucky stars I had it done as a nipper.

Beebs x

Ah thanks for the feedback Beeb's, helps to hear of someone who had it done as a child.
Obviously we will go to see the doctor and discuss all options, hopefully fairly soon.


Beebs did you ever ask your parents why they did you at such a young age but left your sister? Do you know what their reasons were?
I wish my parents had had mine done, but looking my back brother was really poorly when I was about this age so my parents spent years in and out of hospitals with him. I have thought about getting mine done, but I doubt very much it will be on the NHS

Love the photo, your daughter is very similar to my little girl!!!

I think she is absolutely gorgeous and I think that with a year's or two growth you won't notice it either. However, in 12 months time if you still think it is an issue then perhaps think about surgery.

TLC x

I had a friend who when we were at school was so self consious about her ears, and always wore her hair down to cover them (even though nobody ever bothered her about them) but I must say, when she had the op at 14, she completely changed and was so self confident afterwards and was a changed girl. But we all know how cruel schoolkids can be sometimes... maybe it's worth waiting to see if she has an issue with it later on which might not happen, and then decide xx

Mrs M my sister is 20 years older than I am, i think they just had too many kids to deal with at that time, I'm the youngest.

Beebs x

Beebs, I see. Its a difficult 1. Will go and visit the doc with Mr M and get all the info before we make a decision.

Originally Posted by bootifull

Be thankful she isn't a ginger

Have to stick up for the gingers here and say I dislike this comment!

Hi My daughter had her ears pinned back at the age of 8, and i have to say what a huge difference it has made to her life. She wouldnt have her hair tied up, and on one occasion she did, she came home crying after other childrens and adults nasty comments. After the op she never complained about the pain and sat very still when they removed the stitched, she couldnt wait to return to school with her new bobbles in, and the biggest smile on her beautiful face, everyone commented on the big change and the confidence she now has. I would wait a little longer before you decide to go ahead as 4 is young but theres no harm in having a chat to your doc. Good luck xx

Hi Camp Follower - see thats what kinda making me want to do it now, before any nasty comments. Do you wish you had had it done earlier?

Hi Mrs_M, I don't think i would have done it earlier, it's a big op and very painful,at 8 she understood why she was having the op, i also had a battle with the docs as the wanted to wait until she was in her teens, i had to hold my ground and explain about the comments and her lack of confidence. We lived in Germany at the time so the NHS might be different. Good luck and please let us know how you get on.xx

Your daughter is adorable.

I can understand your dilemma. I'd have a word with a Dr about it-if its not causing her any problems they might be reluctant to do anything right now BUT a flippant comment from a pesky kid in a few years times could have a major affect on her later. Its hard when its a 'what if?' situation.

My friends daughter had a HUGE birthmark on her face which was so big it covered the whole of one eye, surgeons couldn't remove it as it was dangerous to her eyesight etc, she had some treatment and it shrunk massively- is no longer bright red but she has baggy skin where the growth once was, its now safe for them to remove the excess skin but her daughter doesn't want to! She says she's happy with herself and her birthmark makes her- her.

My point is I'd take my cue from your daughter- she may never have a problem with her ears and be happy with her lovely little self or she may in the future express that she'd rather have them pinned back.

Either way, from what you've written she'll have your full support.

Just for the record, my daughters hair used to be super fine...now its thick and wavy like a lions mane!! x

It is a difficult one. On the one hand we are supposed to teach our children that they are beautiful as they are, and that there are far more important things than aesthetics. However, there are parents and children who will undo all that teaching with a few cruel comments.

If it were my child I would wait and take my cues from her, like Enigma said, it may never bother her like it did you. I have to say she is a beautiful little girl, and he ears are not the first thing I noticed. Not with that lovely smile, and dimples anyway.

I'm sure you and Mr M will come to a decision that is good for your little girl. xx