Your due date is drawing near, and you’ve started to imagine what life will be like with a newborn at home. Sure, you’ve already surrendered to the fact that you’re probably not going to get much (if any) sleep, your lady parts are going to be sore for a while, and breastfeeding might have a bumpy beginning — as it does for most women. But then you start thinking about that barbell hanging from your boob, and you wonder if you can breastfeed when you have a nipple piercing.
Can You Breastfeed If You Have A Nipple Piercing?
You might love your piercing but will your baby? As it turns out, a hungry newborn probably won’t mind it too much. “Yes, women can breastfeed with a nipple piercing,” says Rue Khosa, ARNP, IBCLC, a lactation consultant. Thing is, the piercing needs to be fully healed in order to have successful nursing sessions. “Nipple piercings tend to take anywhere from 12-18 months to heal, so if it’s possible, be sure that it’s healed or well into the healing process by the time you give birth.”
What Are Some Problems That Can Happen When You Breastfeed With A Nipple Piercing?
Although you can nurse your baby with a nipple piercing, it can come with some potential problems. “Piercings can interfere with the baby’s ability to establish a good latch,” explains Khosa. “This can result in both maternal pain and inadequate or an ineffective milk transfer.” Depending on the size and placement of your piercing, it could create a blockage that doesn’t allow your breast milk to flow freely and, in turn, for Baby to fully feed. And if your breasts aren’t drained after each nursing session, it might impact your milk supply, and also increase your risk for mastitis.
While some piercings can create an obstruction, others might make too much milk release at once. After all, your breasts have many milk ducts, and an additional (and larger) opening might overwhelm your baby. “When you have a piercing, it can create a faster milk flow through the holes and cause your infant to choke,” warns Khosa. If you’re concerned that your baby might be getting too much breast milk during their feeds, speak to a lactation consultant who can help you to figure out a way to adjust the flow.
Can You Get An Infection If You Breastfeed With A Nipple Piercing?
Getting too much (or too little) milk isn’t the only issue that you and your baby might encounter while breastfeeding: infections can also become an issue. “The nipples and genitals are body parts that are already concentrated with high levels of bacteria,” says Dr. Alexis Parcells, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Parcells Plastic Surgery.. “That’s why the most common infections that might occur if you’re breastfeeding with a nipple piercing would be a superficial skin infection – like staph or strep.” Symptoms to look out for include localized pain, swelling, and/or fever, according to Parcells, and if you experience any symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Is Your Skin More Sensitive If You Breastfeed With A Nipple Piercing?
If you thought that getting your nipple pierced was painful, try breastfeeding a newborn that doesn’t have their latch perfected yet. Now, almost all women (90% to be specific) feel discomfort during breastfeeding, typically in the first few days and weeks. But that pain can persist if you have a nipple piercing. “Skin changes during pregnancy may make some women more sensitive to the pain from a nipple piercing,” says Parcell. It takes some getting used to, but eventually, nipple pain should dissipate — if it doesn’t, contact your OB-GYN.
Do You Need To Remove Your Nipple Piercing If You’re Planning To Breastfeed?
When your baby wants to nurse at 3:00 a.m., the last thing you might want to do is make them wait while you take out your nipple piercing — but maybe you should. “Piercings pose a potential choking hazard and may cause oral trauma to your baby,” explains Khosa. If your piercing is older or has already healed, you can take it out when it’s time to feed your baby. Adds Khosa: “Due to the risks, piercings should ideally be removed while breastfeeding.” How often you remove your nipple piercing is entirely up to you; older piercings are less likely to close, so you may want to put away the piercing until you know that you’ve said goodbye to breastfeeding for good. Or if you’re alternating between breastfeeding and formula feeds, you can always insert the piercing from time to time to ensure that the hole stays open.
You don’t need to get rid of your nipple piercing if you’re planning to nurse, but like most things, awareness is essential. Understanding the risks of having a nipple piercing can help protect your baby and you from icky illnesses and unfortunate accidents, so you can truly enjoy the bonding that occurs when you’re breastfeeding.