Pierced nipples are a wonderful way to express yourself but you may wonder what happens to your piercing when breastfeeding. Can you breastfeed with a piercing on your nipple?
While it is absolutely safe to breastfeed with nipple piercings but there are a few things you need to look out for when nursing your little one with a piercing.
We find out how safe breastfeeding with a pierced nipple is and what you can do to reduce potential risks for you and your baby.
Can You Breastfeed With A Pierced Nipple?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to nurse your baby if you have a nipple piercing. A nipple piercing doesn’t affect a new mother’s ability to produce milk and nurse her child.
However, it is a good important to allow the piercing to fully heal before you start breastfeeding. This will prevent potential infections.
The female body produces breast milk within the mammary glands. They are just behind the nipple.
Typically, these glands start producing milk after giving birth, even if you have a nipple piercing.
This being said, a nipple piercing can occasionally interfere with the milk flow if the piercing blocks a milk duct. However, this is very rare and it’s easy to fix by removing the piercing.
Risks And Precautions When Breastfeeding With Pierced Nipples
Whether you have a piercing on your nipples or any other part of your body, there is always a potential risk of infection.
Use A Good Piercing Studio
Infections only happen when the piercing and healing conditions are unhygienic.
This means that you need to find a good studio that uses sterile piercing needles and takes hygiene precautions.
The piercer should wash their hands and wear gloves before he starts the procedure. Make sure he also sterilizes your skin.
You may also want to check that the piercing establishment is licensed by the state’s department of health.
Take Precautions After The Piercing
It’s not just the hygiene of the piercing studio where you get pierced that’s important. You can also contribute to the prevention of infections after the piercing.
Don’t touch your piercing with dirty hands and don’t permit anyone else to touch the piercing while it is still healing.
It is also essential to avoid any chemicals, soap or lotions near your nipple piercing until it is fully healed.
Your piercer should give you specific advice on when you can take out your piercing for the first time and change the jewelry.
You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine as this can cause your blood to thin, extending the healing process of your piercing.
How To Breastfeed Safely With A Nipple Piercing
Breastfeeding with a nipple piercing is safe for you and your child but there are a few things you should look out for when you nurse your baby.
Allow Your Nipple Piercing To Heal Fully
Before you start breastfeeding, it is essential that you allow your piercing to heal fully. This prevents any infections around your nipples and potential health risks for your baby.
Remove Your Jewelry Before Breastfeeding
Even though many nipple jewelry pieces seem fully secure, they can naturally get loose and fall out.
In order to avoid any choking risks for your little one, it is best to remove any nipple jewelry before you start breastfeeding.
Plus, keeping your nipple free from jewelry can also help your baby latch onto your breasts easier. This makes breastfeeding more pleasant for your newborn and yourself.
Keep Your Nipples Clean
Just as adults want to drink from a clean glass, babies shouldn’t come into contact with dirt around your breasts while breastfeeding.
When you remove your nipple piercing for individual feeding sessions, then make sure that you clean your hands and your nipples carefully.
You can then reinsert the piercing after your baby is done with feeding. Keep in mind that you also need to clean your nipple jewelry each time you take it out.
Can You Get A Nipple Piercing When Breastfeeding?
No, it isn’t a good idea to get your nipples pierced when you are breastfeeding. Many piercers may even refuse to pierce your nipples if they know that you are nursing a baby.
Pierced nipples need some time to heal to prevent any infections. In fact, it can take up to 12 months for nipples to fully heal.
While breastfeeding with healed pierced nipples is generally safe, you shouldn’t breastfeed with freshly pierced nipples.
Can You Get A Nipple Piercing When You Are Pregnant?
No, most piercing professionals do not pierce pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
It takes a year for a nipple piercing to fully heal which means that during this time, there is a higher risk for infection.
Plus, pregnant women are generally also more prone to infections.
This means that piercing your nipples during pregnancy can lead easily to infections and other potential health risks for expecting mothers and their babies.
Can You Breastfeed With Piercings On Other Areas Of Your Breast?
It is not recommended to breastfeed with piercings on any other areas of your breasts, other than the nipples.
The dark area around your nipples and the breast tissue connect to the milk ducts. A piercing could stop the milk flow or even damage the milk ducts.
If your breast milk can’t flow, then this could lead to plugged milk ducts that can cause swellings and other health issues.
Plus, it means you won’t be able to breastfeed your baby, so it is best to remove any piercings around your breasts while you are pregnant and after giving birth.
If you notice that your breasts are unusually painful or swollen, then it’s best to check with your doctor.
Final Thoughts
While you can safely breastfeed with a nipple piercing, it’s important to ensure the area around your nipples is clean at all times and the piercing is fully healed.
This will make sure that you and your little one can enjoy these special moments together safely.
