If you are thinking of getting your nipples pierced or already have pierced nipples, you may be wondering if you can breastfeed.
Breastfeeding with a nipple piercing is usually safe and effective. Infections, blocked ducts, and rejections are problems that may occur from piercings. Planning and care can help prevent them.
Once you start breastfeeding, your baby’s saliva will transfer bacteria to your nipple. So, if you are thinking of getting a nipple piercing, plan to do it 12 to 18 months before getting pregnant. Nipple piercings may take up to a year to heal. During that time, your nipple will become more resistant to infection. Your body will also create a tunnel or channel inside the nipple (called a fistula) to help the nipple heal. It is best to give your nipple time to heal before the hormonal and other physical changes of pregnancy take place.
Nipple Piercing And Breastfeeding
With any piercings, it is important to choose a professional you trust and a facility that is clean and careful. This will help you avoid infection. Keeping your breasts dry and washing your hands before touching the nipple will also help.
Many piercings don’t interfere with breastfeeding. Human nipples have 8-12 openings and it is unlikely that a well healed piercing will block off all the openings. However, some nipple piercings cause scar tissue. This can lead to blocked milk ducts that reduce the flow of milk and may lead to low milk supply.
It is important to remove jewellery for each feeding. Jewellery is a choking hazard and makes it harder for your baby to latch on. It may also hurt the inside of your baby’s mouth or pass bacteria to the baby. You may choose to remove jewellery before each feeding or for the whole time you breastfeed. Milk often leaks from the piercing site when you remove the jewellery. But that’s okay.Motherhood involves various challenges, and one of them is breastfeeding. Some mothers might have pierced nipples, thus prompting them to ask if it is safe to breastfeed with nipple piercings. Although nipple piercing may not cause any harm to you, it raises the risk of choking or hurting the baby when feeding. Also, there can be cases where the piercing might hinder the milk flow from the nipple, affecting the baby’s nourishment.
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Read on as we give you an insight into how nipple piercings affect breastfeeding and what precautions you should observe when breastfeeding a baby with pierced nipples.
Probably. There is insufficient research on the impact of maternal nipple piercings on breastfeeding and the infant. No global medical body or governmental organization has passed recommendations or statements regarding breastfeeding with pierced nipples (1).
Anecdotal accounts of mothers with pierced nipples reveal that the piercings have no impact on the milk flow, milk production, and the infant’s ability to breastfeed. Some experts also point out that several women with nipple piercings can breastfeed without any complications (1). Nevertheless, there can be some negative effects of a pierced nipple on breastfeeding.
Nipple Piercing: Everything You Need To Know
Nipple piercings may not have a direct impact on breastfeeding, but seem to increase the risk of some complications and problems, which are discussed next.
The above problems do not entirely indicate that you cannot breastfeed with a nipple piercing. That said, you need to take some precautions when you are breastfeeding.
Following these precautions can help prevent the nipple piercing from being an obstacle to breastfeeding. However, there are some scenarios when you should pause breastfeeding and visit the doctor.
Can You Wear Body Piercings During Pregnancy?
You do not have to take out your nipple jewelry during pregnancy if you are comfortable wearing them. However, if they cause soreness and pain, bother your skin or show signs of infection as your breasts grow, it is better to replace them with a clean piercing holder made from a fishing line or polytetrafluoroethylene.
After removing the nipple piercing, the closure might take anywhere from two days to a few weeks, depending on how long the jewelry has been worn and how fresh the pierced skin is. However, the accurate number of days cannot be pinpointed as the healing duration may vary from person to person.
If you have nipple piercings and want to ensure your baby receives sufficient milk during breastfeeding, it is advisable to remove the jewelry before feeding. This will help prevent attachment issues and potential choking hazards. Well-executed piercings and premium-quality jewelry can also minimize risks (5).
Nipple Piercings Guide
Yes, it is possible to breastfeed with nipple shields even if you have nipple piercings. These can provide a barrier between the piercing and the baby’s mouth, reducing any discomfort or potential issues. It’s important to consult a lactation specialist for personalized advice and guidance (11).
The safety of breastfeeding while having nipple piercings, particularly for those who have had mastitis or infections related to breastfeeding, raises concerns due to the associated risks. Piercings can heighten the chances of infections and complications that may impact lactation and the baby’s health, including infection, scar tissue, blocked milk ducts, and insufficient milk flow (2).
No, nipple piercings do not impact the taste or scent of breast milk. The composition and flavor of breast milk remain unaltered, irrespective of whether the mother has nipple piercings.
Can You Breastfeed With Pierced Nipples?
Yes, you can breastfeed with nipple piercings, even if your nipples are flat or inverted. It may be challenging, but as long as your nipples can protrude when stimulated, breastfeeding is possible. Remember to remove the jewelry before feeding to avoid choking (12).
Breastfeeding with pierced nipples is not contraindicated, but it may cause complications such as infections, underproduction or overproduction of breastmilk, latching issues for babies, or the nipple jewelry might also be a choking hazard. Therefore, it is important to maintain the suggested gap between getting your nipples pierced and the expected day of starting breastfeeding. Follow proper hygiene and keep the piercing clean to keep infections at bay. If you have pierced nipples, you may consider talking to your lactation consultant or gynecologist to help you have a smooth breastfeeding journey.
Nipple piercings have grown in popularity. But it may also raise concerns about the safe breastfeeding of a baby, considering the potential impact of piercings on breastfeeding and the well-being of infants. The infographic below enlists potential problems that may arise during breastfeeding due to nipple piercings in a lactating woman.
Breastfeed After Nipple Piercing
If you have nipple piercings and contemplating breastfeeding your little one, do not be worried. Check out this informative video to get some handy tips to make it work without pain.
Articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
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Do Nipple Piercings Affect Breastfeeding?
Briana Violand, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Child Sleep Consultant (CSC), graduated from Tiffin University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is a Certified Child Sleep Consultant (CSC) through the Family Sleep Institute. She has 8 years of breastfeeding, and countless hours of education and training. She enjoys helping people. Her goals are to educate, ...more
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...more
Breastfeeding And Piercing
Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals. Her interest in writing on different health-related topics and their accessibility to people have led her...moreOne of the most common myths about pierced nipples is that you can’t breastfeed. While breastfeeding with pierced nipples is not recommended, it is doable.
If you already have your nipples pierced, or are thinking about getting a piercing in the future, it's important to know the potential challenges you might encounter when breastfeeding your brand-new bub to ensure you're making an informed decision.
We're here to take you through the ins and outs of breastfeeding with pierced nipples, including the common risks like affected breast milk supply, latch difficulties, choking hazards and the chance of infection so that you can make the best choice for you and your baby.
Nipple Ring And Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding with pierced nipples is possible but can make your experience a bit more difficult. That's why it's not usually recommended to breastfeed with a nipple piercing.
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