Breastfeeding with Nipple Piercings: Risks, Tips and What to Expect

Breastfeeding with nipple piercings is possible, and you won’t be the only mum asking this question. If you are planning to breastfeed or have since discovered you’re pregnant after having a recent nipple piercing, this guide will cover what you need to know. From giving you safety tips, symptom awareness, and milk supply know-how, you’ll have the reassurance to breastfeed with confidence.

Can You Breastfeed with Nipple Piercings?

Yes, breastfeeding with nipple piercings is possible. However, there are some safety precautions to bear in mind before you start your breastfeeding journey.

If you have recently had a nipple piercing, or it has been done in the last 6-12 months, you must wait before they are fully healed before you can breastfeed. This is to avoid infection whilst they heal.

Some mums are conscious of their nipple piercings affecting their milk flow or milk production, but breastfeeding with nipple piercings doesn’t always affect this. Breast milk is produced in the mammary glands, which sit in the breast tissue, behind the nipple. The only time a nipple piercing may affect your milk flow is when it has damaged or clogged a milk duct.

Possible Challenges and What to Watch Out For

As the nipple has been pierced, there may be extra holes through which milk flows. You may not notice this when your baby is breastfeeding if they have a good latch, but your milk could be spraying in all different directions! Have a breast pad handy to catch any leaks to reduce milk leaking onto your clothes, especially when your baby decides to unlatch mid-feed unannounced!

It’s rare, but sometimes a piercing will have caused damage to the nipple and scar tissue forms. This can result in blocked milk ducts, which ultimately could lead to infection (mastitis) or a weaker milk flow. Be mindful of the symptoms and consult your doctor if any symptoms present themselves (e.g. fever, pain in the breast, redness, swelling).

If your piercing hasn’t fully healed, there is a much higher risk of infection. This is because your baby’s saliva is against the piercing, and bacteria can be transferred. Keep piercings clean and seek advice from a lactation consultant for further advice about breastfeeding with nipple piercings.

Your baby’s mouth is tiny! Jewellery is not only unsafe for them to have in their mouth, but would also be uncomfortable for them to feed with and could cause harm. It would also make it much more difficult for your baby to get a proper latch, as they wouldn’t be able to get their mouth around the whole nipple. Always remove your jewellery for feeds and then reapply after cleaning.

Tip: If you experience ongoing pain, uneven supply, or the baby struggles to latch, consult a lactation consultant or healthcare provider.

Safety First: Jewellery and Feeding Time

Breastfeeding with nipple piercings still inserted is a big no-no. The piercing could be a choking hazard if it becomes dislodged. A nipple piercing may also make it harder for your baby to get a deeper latch to feed effectively.

It’s important to keep your piercings clean before and after removing them, just as you would with baby bottles and pacifiers. This eliminates the risk of any infection when removing and re-applying your jewellery. You’ll need to put your piercings back in after breastfeeding; otherwise, the holes will close up. If your piercing is new or feels tender, start with shorter feeds until it feels comfortable.

Day to day, wear breathable bras that do not tightly compress on your piercing. Babies feed frequently, especially in the first few months, so you’ll want to reduce irritation while your breasts feel more sensitive than before.

Will Nipple Piercings Affect Milk Supply?

Nipple piercings do not mean that your milk supply will be affected. Usually, your milk supply will function as expected when your piercing has properly healed. Your supply still very much depends on a supply and demand basis, regardless of your piercings.

In the event that your milk supply is affected by a nipple piercing, this would be due to damage caused by the piercing when it was applied, or a milk duct is clogged. Scar tissue from where the piercing heals can also affect milk flow performance.

If your milk flow seems uneven, alternating breasts, using warm patches, and gentle massage can help to get the milk moving. If you feel that your milk supply is dropping or low, try power pumping alongside breastfeeding with nipple piercings to give your supply a boost.

Pumping with Nipple Piercings: What You Need to Know

Similar to feeding at the breast, you can pump with a nipple piercing, but you will need to remove any jewellery before you start. Not only does this help you get a good seal around the breast, but it also protects the breast flanges and prevents any damage to the breast pump.

Using a soft silicone flange, like the breast flanges featured in Lola&Lykke’s Smart Electric Breast Pump, is ideal for mums with sensitive nipples and who need a gentle touch whilst pumping.

With each pumping session, check that you have:

• Remove any jewellery
• Wash your hands and clean nipples
• You could use a MilkCatch+ on the other breast if your baby isn’t nursing
• Clean the nipple after pumping
• Wear soft bamboo breast pads to catch any leaks in between feeds or pumping sessions
• Clean breast pump parts before the next use

When to Get (or Remove) Nipple Piercings

If you’re thinking about getting a nipple piercing and it’s coinciding with family planning, or perhaps you’re a little further down the line and you’re pregnant, use these tips to guide you through breastfeeding with nipple piercings.

• Don’t get a nipple piercing while pregnant or breastfeeding because there is a high risk of infection and a long healing time. A lot of providers will turn you away if you’re pregnant because of the changes your breasts go through during pregnancy.
• If you’re already pregnant, remove nipple piercings no later than the second trimester (ideally as soon as you discover you’re pregnant) to avoid tissue overgrowth or surgical removal.
• Never breastfeed while wearing nipple jewellery. It’s a choking hazard, and it can interfere with your baby’s latch.
• If you already have piercings, remove jewellery before feeding or pumping, keep the area clean, and monitor for irritation or swelling.
• You don’t need to give up piercings permanently; you can get re-pierced once you’ve completely finished breastfeeding and your milk supply has stabilised.

Breastfeeding with Nipple Piercings FAQs

1. Does milk come out of the piercing holes?

Yes - and it’s completely normal. Some mums notice extra milk streams or light leakage from old piercing channels. It doesn’t affect feeding or supply, and your baby will adapt easily.

2. Can nipple piercings cause blocked ducts or infections?

Rarely, but it can happen. If the piercing didn’t heal properly or scar tissue formed, milk flow might slow slightly. Watch for redness, swelling, or pain, and see a lactation consultant or healthcare provider if it persists.

3. When should you see a healthcare provider about your piercings?

If you notice pain, swelling, discharge, or if your baby struggles to latch comfortably. It’s always best to check in early to prevent infection or blocked ducts.

4. Can I get a new piercing while breastfeeding?

No. It’s best to wait until you’ve completely finished breastfeeding and your supply has settled. New piercings take 6–12 months to heal and carry a higher risk of infection during lactation, which would make breastfeeding with nipple piercings more complex for both of you.

5. Can I return to having pierced nipples once I finish breastfeeding?

If you remove your jewellery for the full duration of breastfeeding, the holes are likely to close. This can happen even if they have been pierced for a long time. It’s a good idea to wait a few months after weaning before you have them re-pierced. This is because the breasts continue to make some milk for many months. Waiting until your breasts are no longer making milk and have returned to their normal size and shape will help to prevent any problems. 

If you think you may have another baby and breastfeed again, you may want to wait longer. Having the nipples re-pierced multiple times could increase the risk of damage and breastfeeding problems. Piercings that are still healing may not heal well if you begin breastfeeding another baby. The breastmilk could cause the holes to close completely, or breast changes and stretching during feeds could prevent them from healing at all.

6. How can I safely and easily take my piercing(s) out for each feed?

If you plan to remove your nipple jewellery for each feed, replace them immediately afterwards so the holes don’t close up. Practice good hygiene to avoid infection. It may help to keep hand sanitiser and a clean container to store your jewellery close to where you breastfeed. Try to get into the habit of washing your hands and jewellery at each feed to keep everything clean.

Final Thoughts: You Can Still Breastfeed, Just Safely

Breastfeeding with nipple piercings doesn’t mean that it will be made more difficult or result in not breastfeeding at all. Get into a practice of removing your jewellery, practice good hygiene, and be patient with yourself should challenges arise.

If you’re planning to pump as part of your breastfeeding routine, explore our Smart Electric Breast Pump, designed for comfort, hygiene, and a little extra ease on the journey.