Can you breastfeed with pierced nipples? Know what scientist’s have to say!  

Nipple piercing has become very popular from the last few decades among women’s as well as men’s. It is an individual decision and a form of self expression but what if you are pregnant or breastfeeding? As a responsible mother you should know what impact it (breastfeeding with nipple piercings) can create on your baby, right!

 According to clinical research, nipple piercing does not significantly interfere with the lactation process but it has a very high chance of milk leakage or poor latching. In this article we are going to discuss this topic in detail.

Can you breastfeed with nipple piercings?

The direct answer to this question is ” yes”. 

The nipple piercings do not damage the milk production but it can create some  lactation difficulties for the baby.

The main reason behind this fact is that “the milk is produced by the mammary glands which are present inside your breast. And once it has been synthesised,the milk flows out through the ducts and ejects out through the nipples while breastfeeding the baby  .

Fig. Anatomy of breast  

In case of nipple piercing, only the nipple’s are pierced and do not impact the other parts of your breast. The milk is synthesized in the lobules, and flows out through the nipple. But piercing can surely lead to feeding difficulties for the baby. 

According to a study published in JAMA NETWORK, scientists found out that the nipple piercing has led to certain complications while breastfeeding. Few of the complications include infant attachment problems , leaky nipples, blocked ducts, etc. So, now the real question is what you can do to avoid such complications!

Do nipple piercings affect breastfeeding?

You don’t have to worry too much about how you can breastfeed or how you can avoid complications with nipple piercing.

As already mentioned in the above section, it only impacts the flow of the milk but not the quality of the milk or the process of feeding the baby. 

The mother with the pierced nipple can easily breastfeed the baby just like a normal mother does. 

BUT we will suggest you to get prepared for the change in the “flow of milk”. 

Several studies have shown that few babies may find it difficult to latch or feed (suck the milk). You can easily find it out by actively noticing your baby during the feeding interval. Your baby can face some potential challenges. A few of the nipple piercing and breastfeeding problems are very common. Follow the points listed below for safe latching: 

• Remove the jewellery: The very first step that you can do while breastfeeding is to remove the nipple jewellery. If engulfed, it may result in choking hazard. So it is better to remove it before feeding your baby. 

• Maintain proper hygiene: The pierced nipples are very prone to infection and that is why you have to take extra care of them. It becomes much more important when you have a baby to feed. Take extra precautions and wash your nipples before breastfeeding your baby. 

Note:  Mastitis is the most common infection, caused by Staphylococcus aureus.This can result in inflammation leading to blockage of milk ducts.

• Consult with a lactation consultant: You should always consult a health care professional if you are highly concerned about breastfeeding when you have nipple piercing. They can provide guidance on proper positioning, latching, and any potential challenges associated with breastfeeding with piercings.

Is it safe to get nipple piercings during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

If you do not have a nipple piecrcing, and you want one, then sadly this is not the right time. 

We will suggest you to strictly not go for nipple piercing while you are pregnant, or even when you arel breastfeeding. 

The main reason behind it is that the fresh piercing is more prone to infection, due to which you will not be able to properly feed your baby. This can create a huge problem in your baby’s growth and development. 

Furthermore, your immune system is the second reason. Whenever a woman is pregnant, her immune system weakens due to which she has to take extra care of herself. 

Piercing of nipple can significantly lower your immune system, making you less vulnerable to fight off the infection leading to a prolonged infection. It can also hamper your sleep schedule, pain management, etc. 

We recommend that the best time to have a nipple piercing is when you are not planning to get pregnant in the coming 1- 2 years, or you have already stopped breastfeeding your baby. 

Is there any side effects of nipple piercing and breastfeeding

There is limited information or research on side effects of breastfeeding with nipple piercings but if the piercing is completely healed, or you have an old nipple piercing ,then no infection can be expierenced. 

There are very high chance that your nipple piercing can impact the passage of the milk flow through your nipples, but do not completely block the holes of your nipple (for milk to eject out). However it may get messier which can create difficulties for you to manage the breastfeeding process. 

Whenever you feed your baby make sure that you have cleaned the nipple area, to avoid any chance of infection in the baby. 

It is also very important to note that the individual experience may vary, and one shoul consult the lactation  professional or healthcare professional to get more insights about their individual health. 

Pros and cons of female nipple piercing and breastfeeding

There are no such pros of having a nipple piercing  in the breastfeeding process, as compared to a mother who does not have any piercing. But you don’t have to feel bad about it as it does not create a significant harm to your baby. 

You just need to make sure that you are following proper hygiene and removing the jewellery before breastfeeding your baby. You just need to take some extra precautions, and you are good to go!

How long can you breastfeed with nipple piercings

You can breastfeed your baby as long as your baby needs it!

There is no such issue or a particular time to stop feeding a baby if you are breastfeeding with nipple piercings.  

Conclusion

Breastfeeding with nipple piercing is possible but the mother should consider extra precautions and proper care. Removing the jewellery, maintaining good hygiene, consulting a doctor, getting informed about different positions of latching, monitoring the baby while feeding, etc are few of the factors that can give you a better perspective of the situation.

 We will request you to avoid feeding the baby in case of infection, and consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible. 

FAQ’s

1: Does nipple piercing hamper the process of breastfeeding. 

It does not have a significant impact, but yes it can result in blockage of nipple holes or latching issues. 

2. Shall I consult a Healthcare professional? 

Everyone’s body is different and that is why they show a different impact on the body. If you feel pain, irritation , swelling and other symptoms, which hampers the feeding process, then you should visit a healthcare professional. 

3. Will nipple piercing impact my baby’s health  while breastfeeding? 

No, it does not directly impact the baby’s health until and unless you don’t have an infection.

Caution: 

This article is only for educational purposes. If you are facing latching difficulties  then we will request you to consult your doctor.