As nipple piercing grows in popularity, more women with pierced nipples will experience pregnancy and lactation. Women with pierced nipples who want to breastfeed typically have the same opportunities and expected chances of success as women who do not have pierced nipples. Nipple piercings do not necessarily increase the rate of breastfeeding complications, according to the "Breastfeeding Answer Book." However, mothers who have pierced nipples and who are planning to breastfeeding should be familiar with basic safety tips and symptoms of possible problems.
Choking
The main concern for breastfeeding women with pierced nipples should be to prevent the risk of the baby choking on loose jewelry. Remove your piercings prior to breastfeeding to eliminate the possibility of jewelry pieces coming apart in the baby's mouth while nursing. It is a good idea to practice removing your jewelry before labor and delivery. If you cannot, seek assistance from your piercer or health care provider.
Latch Problems
Jewelry that is not removed can cause additional problems beyond a choking hazard. Even if you feel that the jewelry will not come loose while breastfeeding, the piercing can alter how the nipple and areola fit into the baby's mouth and cause a poor latch. Improper latching leads to a host of problems, such as poor milk transfer, sore nipples and reduced milk supply. Removal of nipple jewelry prior to breastfeeding reduces the chance these problems will occur.
Infection
Well-healed piercings should not become infected from breastfeeding. You may notice milk spraying through the piercing holes. This is normal and, as breastmilk is full of antibodies and white blood cells, can potentially reduce the risk of nipple infection. However, if you notice pain, redness, swelling or irritation on your nipples or breasts, seek medical help, as these can be signs of infection.
Closed Piercings
If you choose to remove your piercings for the duration of your breastfeeding time, your piercings may close and require piercing again later. If and when you choose to have your nipples repierced, keep in mind that piercing professionals often recommend you keep the jewelry in place for approximately six to 10 months before removing the jewelry to prevent the holes from closing, so consider your short-term and long-term pregnancy and lactation plans when scheduling nipple piercing.
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