The first thing you need to know about nipple piercings for breastfeeding is, “Can I have nipple piercings while breastfeeding?” The answer is yes! You can breastfeed successfully with nipple piercings; however, there are some things to keep in mind.
4 Risks with Nipple Piercings for Breastfeeding
The risk for complications appears to be low. However, some potential concerns include the following:
1. Decreased Milk Supply
Scarring from nipple piercings can block some nipple pores for milk from your breasts.
Beyond the nipple pores, decreased lactation in nursing mothers has also been reported due to damaged milk ducts (where breastmilk is made and held in the breasts before breastfeeding or pumping).
2. Mastitis
Blocked nipple pores, possibly damaged milk ducts, and decreased breastfeeding is only the beginning! Because of these risks, those with nipple piercings have a higher risk of clogged ducts and mastitis when compared to mothers without nipple piercings.
If your breastmilk can’t exit your breasts, it can create a buildup of breastmilk and inflammation that can turn into a clogged duct or mastitis.
Furthermore, the risk for mastitis increases if the piercings aren’t fully healed before the start of breastfeeding.
3. Faster Milk Flow
Contrary to scarring causing a slower breastmilk flow and a decreased milk supply, having an extra hole (whether in the nipple or the areola) can create an unpleasant faster milk flow, making your baby fussy at the breast.
4. Infection from Nipple Piercings for Breastfeeding
Lastly, there is a concern for potential infections.
Infection of the piercing site and breast infections stemming from the piercing site is the biggest potential complication that might impact breastfeeding.
Research suggests that anyone with a nipple piercing is at a slightly higher risk of breast infection (including men with nipple piercings!).
In fact, there is a 10-20% risk of infection from a nipple piercing which might make it unsafe for your baby to nurse. However, infection is often only seen within months after the procedure [1].
Frequently Asked Questions About Nipple Piercings for Breastfeeding:
“Can i keep the nipple piercings in while breastfeeding?”
Unfortunately, no, not ever.
Breastfeeding mothers should remove their nipple piercings for nursing to avoid the possibility of the piercing coming loose and being swallowed or choked on by the baby.
Additionally, if the piercing is left in place, this can interfere with the baby establishing a good latch, resulting in pain for the mother, inadequate or ineffective transfer of milk from the breast, clogged ducts, mastitis, and more!
“can i prevent infections with nipple piercings?”
During the first weeks of breastfeeding, many mothers don’t have time to shower often, much less thoroughly cleanse nipple jewelry. Additionally, while an exclusively breastfed baby is expected to nurse at least 8-12 times per day, this would mean taking your piercing out and putting it back in 16-24 times daily. And because of this inconvenience, many mothers take their jewelry out before birth and leave it out for the duration of breastfeeding.
Furthermore, taking out and putting back in the jewelry increases the likelihood of an infection.
If you want to keep your nipple piercings in for the duration of breastfeeding, take great care of them by cleansing them thoroughly and being sanitary, taking them out, and putting them in.
Wash your hands before taking the jewelry out; while it’s still out, wash it again before putting it back in.
I hope this blog post answered your questions about nipple piercings while breastfeeding! If you have any other questions, please leave them in the comments below.
Talk soon, mama!
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
References:
[1] Jacobs VR, Golombeck K, Jonat W, Kiechle M. Drei Fallbeispiele von Brustabszess nach Brustwarzenpiercing: Unterschätzte Gesundheitsprobleme eines Modephänomens [Three case reports of breast abscess after nipple piercing: underestimated health problems of a fashion phenomenon]. Zentralbl Gynakol. 2002 Jul;124(7):378-85. German. doi: 10.1055/s-2002-35545. PMID: 12439766 : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12439766/
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