Question

My nipples are pierced. Can I still induce lactation and breastfeed? (I know I have to take the piercings out before feeding.)

Community Answer

Yes you can. There are safety concerns with leaving piercings in, such as choking; however, I breast-fed two of my own children with rings in, and now I've intiated milk production again to help feed my grandchild. While using a pump, I secured bar bells to fully expose the nipples. While actively feeding a baby, the rings were secured and positioned against the areola either flipped facing up or facing down. It can leave a little pressure mark on the baby's upper lip or chin that very quickly fades, but this at least ensures that the ball is not IN the baby's mouth. Bar-bells were too frustrating for my babies, as they broke suction when rubbed against the corners of the babies' mouths.