Can you breast feed with nipple piercings?

Question

Can you use a breast pump only (not actually breast feed) with nipple piercings or do you have to take them out?

Answer 1

I don't think your baby can latch on to your nipple with a metal piercing.

I would be concerned about the bacteria that could be in the openings of the piercing that could be transfered to babys mouth and eyes.

You will have to decide what is more important your babys health or your nipple piercings.

Answer 2

You need to take them out to use a pump or too breastfeed. You can put them back in after each feeding, though it is my understanding that most women find it uncomfortable and the hole may stretch so that the piercing doesn’t fit anymore.

Also pumping and giving breastmilk in a bottle is NOT the same as breastfeeding. While the baby is at the breast they can better regulate how much they get, in addition the consistency of the milk changes during the feed -- more watery at the start and more fat towards the end. The way they suck can also influence what composition the milk is. This allows them to regulate the amount of calories and water they take in. The immunities in breastmilk also start production faster to anything the baby has when they are at the breast. However if your baby is not at the breast you will only make immunities to things you are exposed to.

Not to mention the bonding that occurs when you actually put your child to the breast.

Also pumping is a pain in the butt. It is inconvenient; you have to boil bottles and pumps. You have to keep it refrigerated. It is all the hassles of formula feeding AND all the hassles of breastfeeding combined.

You have to pump regularly which means that even if your baby sleeps 6 hours at night *you* will be up every 3 hours pumping to keep your supply up. When you are pumping you are much more likely to have too much or too little milk, either of which is a problem.

If you have to pump because you must be away from the baby then more power to you. It is tough, but you are doing what is best for you and your baby in your situation. But to pump all the time instead of breastfeeding, particularly for something as silly as nipple piercing just strikes me as selfish. I am sorry, but that is how I see it. I am sure I am not going to get the "best answer" for this and that you are probably going to think I am a jerk, but really think about what you are asking. You are asking if you should order your baby's and your life around your nipple piercing???? What is more important?

Answer 3

I will try not to read too much into this question. So go ahead and take them off, then put them back on.
Pumping for whatever reason is effective. There are many pumps out there that work really well. I've been pumping for about ten months and have never gotten up in the middle of the night to pump regardless of my daughter's sleep habits. Your body will adjust.
So good luck!
Good for you for wanting to breastfeed.

Answer 4

You should take the piercings out while you are pumping or nursing and then you can put them back in between sessions.

Answer 5

you have to take them out-- also earrings contain led- any amount of led even trace found in gold piercing can harm an infant

Wait until you go into the delivery room? or in the hospital they'll tell yah

Answer 6

take them out and use the pump, be sure to clean around the piercing first.

Answer 7

take then out to feed then replace them if you can afterward. the real question is would you want your baby sucking on something that can be very hazardous? and would you want the baby to accidentally bite it (i hear they do bite sometimes) hurting either itself or you or both? i wouldnt.

Answer 8

Um. I really think you should take them out so the baby doesn't accidentally swallow them.

Answer 9

I think you would have to take them out.

Answer 10

how long have you had the peircings? take the rings out if you can to prevent infection