Nipple Piercing:
Is It Compatible with Breastfeeding?
Jahaan Martin
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 35 No. 3, June-July 1999, pp. 64-65
We provide
articles from our publications from previous years for reference for our Leaders
and members. Readers are cautioned to remember that research and medical information
change over time.
Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaton,
Roman Centurions and some Victorian society women have a striking connection
with many mothers of today. The tie that binds them is body piercing:
each has pierced a navel or a nipple.
Body piercing has enjoyed
a resurgence over the past 20 years. People young and old are piercing
their eyebrows, noses, navels, lips, tongues, genitals, hands and nipples.
Leaders working with breastfeeding women are seeing more mothers with
pierced nipples. Phone log entries reflect this trend as calls from
women curious about the effect of nipple piercing on breastfeeding continue
to increase.
Is there breastfeeding after
nipple piercing? The BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK asserts that there is
no evidence to show nipple piercing has any effect on a woman's ability
to breastfeed. Self-proclaimed "Hip Mama" Arid Gore agrees.
In her book, The Hip Mama Survival Guide, Gore offers suggestions
for pierced breastfeeding mothers. "Remove nipple rings and seek
advice from a reputable organization like La Leche League for help and
support with breastfeeding."
Mita Saldana, a professional
body piercer with the Chicago-based studio, Body Basics, says she's
pierced many nipples and has never had a complaint about problems with
breastfeeding. Many of Saldana's clients are also friends. This affords
her a unique vantage point from which to observe these women from the
moment of a piercing, through the healing process, to life with a pierced
nipple. One of Saldana's clients, a piercer herself, had her nipples
pierced and went on to breastfeed. "She had no problems."
said Saldana. Most nipples are pierced horizontally though some clients
prefer a vertical piercing. Horizontal piercing seems better suited
for breastfeeding according to Elisabeth Speller, an Australian lactation
consultant.
Breastfeeding has been around
since the dawn of time: body modification also has a long history. Some
of the body piercing dates back to 1400 BC. Throughout history women
and men have pierced their nipples for religious or spiritual reasons,
beautification, decoration, protection, social rank or status. Today,
according to many sources, nipple piercing seems to have two primary
functions, beautification and sexual stimulation. "The piercing
of the nipple is sensual, attractive and often encourages the nipple
to become larger, more pronounced and more sensitive," according
to Gauntlet, Inc. a professional piercing service with studios in New
York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, USA.
Tom Rael, a professional
piercer and tattoo artist with Addictive Ink in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
USA says different piercings serve different functions. "Usually
those that are visible are for decoration, shock value, or to make a
personal statement. Those that are not visible, such as genital and
nipple piercing, are generally for sexual gratification.”
Nothing in life, nipple piercing
included, is without risk. A piercer from a southwestern USA tattoo
parlor who wishes to remain nameless says. "No one will pierce
a pregnant woman. What she feels the baby feels. It's just not a good
time." An apprentice piercer of two years declares, "It's
a trauma to get pierced and no one wants to traumatize the fetus or
the mother." Other professional piercers agree. They will not pierce
a pregnant woman and recommend against piercing while breastfeeding.
Mita Saldana goes a step further and recommends piercing at least a
year before becoming pregnant. The average healing time for nipples
is three to six months. For some people healing may take longer. Saldana
feels that a year before pregnancy gives a woman's body ample opportunity
to heal.
Very little information exists
in the scientific literature on nipple piercing. However, some information
is available about body piercing in general and the same risks apply.
A researcher at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing says,
"The primary care provider plays a central role in educating young
girls and adolescents about healthy breast practices such as avoidance
of piercing and tattooing." According to other research, tetanus
and hepatitis are possible risks of body piercing. Possible transmission
of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is also cause for concern.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists and the American College of Nurse-Midwives have taken
no stance on the compatibility of nipple piercing and breastfeeding.
Perhaps the singular most
common and preventable malady of piercing is infection. Those who consider
being pierced should screen their practitioners carefully. They should
inquire about safety and hygiene practices. In the USA, most professional
piercers register with the local department of health. This is a minimal
safety standard that usually means practitioners have undergone classes
in prevention of cross contamination and are up-to-date on state immunization
requirements. Suggest that a mother check with her local health department
for regulations and laws specific to her area.
Rejection of a piercing is
another possible outcome. A professional piercer uses his or her skills
to trick the body into accepting a foreign object it naturally wants
to reject. The Body Art Book states "proper piercing depth,
width and diameter and using the appropriate tools, jewelry and procedures
can minimize the chances of rejection." Stress, poor nutrition,
inadequate hygiene and premature manipulation of the piercing site are
other potential causes. A rejection never seems to heal properly. The
site may be red, swollen or itchy, even ooze or bleed. It is best to
remove jewelry and allow a rejection to heal completely. Re-piercing
is an option but may be problematic. "Frequent re-piercings can
cause damage to the nipple which could preclude breastfeeding,"
says lactation consultant Elisabeth Speller.
Metal allergies or inappropriate
jewelry selection can cause piercing rejection or infection. Earrings
are unsuitable for piercings on other parts of the body. Specially made
bar bells or rings are common nipple jewelry. The correct gauge (diameter)
and metal type are critical. Many people are allergic to nickel, which
is commonly used in jewelry manufacturing. Titanium, nickel-free gold,
platinum, niobium or surgical stainless steel are the metals of choice
for body piercing jewelry.
Choking is a potential hazard
for the baby whose mother does not remove nipple jewelry before breastfeeding.
As the baby sucks, the jewelry could become loose and lodge in the throat.
The baby's gums and tongue as well as the soft and hard palate could
be injured by the jewelry.
Several lactation consultants
interviewed for this article said that breastfeeding problems were often
observed in women who did not remove nipple jewelry before nursing.
These difficulties included poor latch, babies frequently coming on
and off the breast, slurping, gagging and milk leaking from the baby's
mouth. Once the nipple jewelry was removed the problems stopped. In
contrast, Elisabeth Speller tells of a nurse who had her nipples pierced
and breastfed while wearing nipple rings.
Gauntlet, Inc. recommends
not removing nipple jewelry for at least six to ten months after piercing.
It can be difficult, if near impossible, for an individual to remove
the jewelry initially, so they suggest contacting a piercer for assistance.
Most piercers make themselves available after a piercing to answer questions
or allay concerns. In case of uncertainty or in a true emergency, encourage
a woman to contact her physician immediately.
There is no evidence to suggest
that a woman's pierced nipples will have any effect on her ability to
breastfeed. Leaders can feel comfortable offering breastfeeding information
and support to any woman struggling to balance her desire to be pierced
with her desire to give her baby the best start in life.
References
Body Basics: Precision Tattooing
and Body Piercing, www.bodybasics.com (February 1999)
Gauntlet, Inc. www.gauntlet.com
(February 1999)
Gore, A. The Hip Mama
Survival Guide. New York, New York: Hyperion, 1998;27, 76-78.
Lawrence, R.A. Breastfeeding:
A Guide for the Medical Profession, 4th edition. St. Louis, Missouri:
Mosby, 1994; 44-48, 528-31.
Miller, J.C. The Body
Art Book. New York, New York: Berkley Books, 1997; 3-27,72-75.
Mohrbacher, N. and Stock,
J. BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK, revised edition. Schaumburg, Illinois:
LLLI, 1997; 382.
Reybold, L. Everything
You Need to Know About The Dangers of Tattooing and Body Piercing. New
York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1996; 21-47.
Sloand, E. "Pediatric
and Adolescent Breast Health. ” Lippincott's Primary Care Practice.
Mar-Apr 1998; 2(2): 170-5.
Speller, E. "Pierced
Nipples and Breastfeeding, ” ALCA Galaxy April 1998; Vol.9,
No. 1:12-13.
Wilkinson, B. Coping With
The Dangers of Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Branding. New York,
New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1998: 24-38.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:41 UTC 2007.
