9 months pregnant and pierced nipples

[piercedandinked]

I have had my nipples pierced just shy of 2 years. *My lactation consultant has told me that I need to go ahead and take my piercings out and keep them out throughout the six months of breast feeding. *I am unsure as to if nipple piercings are like ears or tongues. *I know if I were to take my tongue ring out for six months it would be completely closed, but not so for ears. *If there is the possibility of them closing, I was thinking I could simply get bars that are easier to take in and out. *Any suggestions or has anyone been through this? *Thanks for everything!

[iamblackbird]

They would probably close, if that is how you know your tongue would react.

Taking jewelry in and out of them, though, might irritate them immensly.

But in order to breastfeed, you would have to...a dilemma.

You might need to be prepared to lose the piercings. You can try barbells, certainly, but know that changing them in and out so often MIGHT cause problems.

[gothicskater]

well since im a guy im not the expert on breast feeding, but i will throw my two cents in. *to ease the irritation of removing *your piercings and replaceing them try it one nipple at a time. *what i mean is only remove and replace one barbell *on the same nipple while breast feeding. *then if when the nipple starts to get irritated just use the other nipple for breast feeding thus giving the other nipple time to calm down. *just an idea.

[lexiarein]

Yea, that wouldn't work cause you need to empty both breasts at least once a day. I had a friend who had hers done and just had a baby, she's been just taking the bars out when she feeds the baby. It's only been a week so I don't really know what effect that's having.

[Illyria Jade_mod]

Ah, the great debate rolls around again. *I've done quite a bit of research into this, and I must say, your lactation consultant is wrong.

For proof, I refer you to the supreme masters of breast feeding (http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul99p64.html).


Basically, the proper proceedure is this ::

1. Always remove jewelry for feeings. *You risk damaging the child's hard and soft palate if you don't.
2. Reinsert jewelry immediately after feeding.
3. To reduce irritation of the piercing, I would suggest getting internally threaded barbells, if you don't have them already. *That way there are no threads going through your piercing to irritate it.
4. If you do have any actual problems with your nipple piercings (most people don't), you can always take them out when that occurs.


But, the good news is that your piercings (as long as you take the jewelry out) really shouldn't affect breastfeeding in any way. *Just remember to clean your piercings after feeding and reinsert the jewelry immediately. *:)

[piercedandinked]

Wow, as being a newbie to this I am so impressed at such a quick turn around on my post. *Thanks so much! *Everything was so helpful. *I guess I will go shopping for internally threaded barbells. *I actually loved the rings that I was pierced with and while I always had the urge to change them, just never did. *Now I have a great excuse to get new jewelry for the girls! *I'll keep everyone posted as to progress in case you know of anyone this might help in the future! *Thanks again!

Oh, since I have not changed my rings out - any help on what gauge I should be looking at? *Thanks again!

[lexiarein]

probably 14, but could be a 12. Typically nippled are pierced at 14g, but my piercer always goes one higher on everything. (except bellybuttons) Really it's hard to say. It'd say to go a piercer and ask, because internally threaded barbells aren't cheap and it'd be a shame for you to get the wrong size.

[Illyria Jade_mod]

Well, if you have a CBR that would be fine, since there's no threads going through the piercing, but it could get difficult reinserting the ball all the time!

Most likely 14g, don't get anything smaller than that. *Even if it is 12, 14 won't be a problem.