Must Nipple Piercings Heal Shut to Nurse Successfully?
QUESTION
Dear Lactation Consultant,
I have heard a variety of responses to this question, but have never asked a lactation consultant. I've had my nipples pierced for almost three years. I want more than anything to be able to breastfeed my son (I'm due in November).
One doctor told me that I have to take the piercings out and let the holes close if I want to breastfeed successfully, while another told me that as long as the jewelry isn't in while I'm breastfeeding it was fine to keep them pierced. Who was right? What should I do?
Sincerely,
Brittany
ANSWER
Hi Brittany,
There is no evidence that pierced nipples will affect your ability to breastfeed. Your breasts will still produce adequate milk for your baby, and unless your body rejected the piercing right after you had it done, there is no reason to anticipate any additional problems with infection. Horizontal piercings are more common than vertical, and seem to be more compatible with nursing.You will need to remove the jewelry when you nurse. Leaving it can cause problems. It will be difficult for your baby to form the nipple and press it against the roof of his mouth if there is a piece of metal in the way. Latching on correctly at the breast is a skill that newborn babies have to learn, and it can take awhile for them to get the hang of it even with an un-pierced nipple. While it may be possible for him to latch onto a nipple with jewelry in it, it will make it more difficult for him, and may cause pain as the ring presses against the soft tissue of his tongue and palate. Healthy babies are born with a very strong suck, and it's entirely possible that the ring could dislodge while he's nursing and he might choke on it.
It would be best for you to remove the rings completely for the first few weeks of nursing. Newborn babies nurse a lot (10-12 times or more in 24 hours) and it would be a hassle to keep taking them in and out that often.
Once your milk supply is established and your baby isn't nursing as often, you can replace the rings between feedings if you want to. I can't guarantee that the holes won't grow back together in that time, but if you replace the jewelry once a day and then take it out, that should help keep the holes open.
It can take about three to six months after piercing for the hole to heal completely. It is recommended that you not remove the rings for six to ten months after you have them pierced, and you may need help removing them for the first time, so contact a piercer for advice on the best way to do it. Pierced nipples may be more sensitive than unpierced nipples, so you may experience a little more soreness than most nursing mothers.
As far as different types of jewelry goes, it is best to use titanium, nickel-free gold, platinum, niobium or surgical stainless steel jewelry because many people are allergic to nickel, which is commonly used in jewelry manufacturing. You would have to ask your piercer about what designs are easiest to take in and out, but remember that the rings that are easiest to remove are also the ones most likely to come out in the baby's mouth, so be sure to take them out before nursing.
Good luck with nursing your new baby, and let me know if you have any other questions.
-- Anne, IBCLC
Kathleen Tackett
Dr. Kendall-Tackett is a health psychologist, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Research Associate Professor of Psychology specializing in women's health at the Family Research Lab, University of New Hampshire. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in both the Divisions of Health Psychology and Trauma Psychology. Dr. Kendall-Tackett is a La Leche League leader, chair of the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Taskforce, and the Area Coordinator of Leaders for La Leche League of Maine and New Hampshire.
Dr. Kendall-Tackett is author of more than 140 journal articles, book chapters and other publications, and author or editor of 15 books including The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood (2005, Hale Publications), Depression in New Mothers (2005, Haworth), and Breastfeeding Made Simple, co-authored with Nancy Mohrbacher (2005, New Harbinger). She is on the editorial boards of the journals Child Abuse and Neglect, Journal of Child Sexual Abuse and the Journal of Human Lactation, and regularly reviews for 27 other journals in the fields of trauma, women's health, interpersonal violence, depression, and child development. Dr. Kendall-Tackett is the "Ask a Lactation Consultant" columnist on Pregnancy.org and serves on the Board of Directors of Attachment Parenting International.
Dr. Kendall-Tackett received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in psychology from California State University, Chico, and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University in social and developmental psychology. She has won several awards including the Outstanding Research Study Award from the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and was named 2003 Distinguished Alumna, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, California State University, Chico.
