Breastfeeding / pumping with pierced nipples

First, our opinion is if you ever going to breastfeed your child you MUST REMOVE ALL JEWELRY FIRST. Look into this if you arn't sure of how to breast pump or breastfeed.That said...

You should have no problems expressing milk with pierced nipples. You will likely need to remove the jewelry before pumping as it may prevent you from making a good seal between the breast and the breast shield. Occasionally, there can be a build up of scar tissue in the nipple that could hinder milk flow.

Many women report that the extra holes leak milk - at times constantly. This is going to be frustrating, but the upside is you may actually pump faster as the pierce holes will certainly pass extra milk during a pumping session.

Here are some short comments from various women who have experienced pierced nipples while breastfeeding or pumping --

"I had my breasts pierced and had to take them out before i got pregnant due to a mastitis. Anyway my one healed completely & the other CONSTANTLY leaks out of the holes it was pierced in. It is a real hassle because i constantly go through breast pads, wet shirts & wake up with wet sheets."

"I had just my left nipple pierced for about 5 years. So far the holes have not yet closed and yes the milk comes out of either of the holes (I have a 12 gauge piercing) But I don't leak at all..."

"I become pregnant and at about 5 months or so begin leaking through my nipple piercing holes! Contrary to what others have said they don't need to be "healed" to properly breast-feed, Just think of it as a fast flow nipple! "

"my son loved the wholes left from my nipple rings he was a big eater and with the extra wholes it was kinda like a big sprinkler it was kinda funny though when we went to switch him to a bottle he didn't like it as well we were wondering if we needed to put wholes in the sides of the nipples like he was used to for me it also made it easier to pump and strangly enough the wholes haven't closed up yet"

"I had both my nipples pierced before having my first baby. I leaked like crazy invest in some really good nursing pads and make sure you are changing them often!"

"I had mine pierced a few years ago and the holes are completely healed. When the tenderness started in my nipples I took my rings out and the holes never closed. I was really worried that it was going to effect breastfeeding my child. I finally had some relief when I began to produce my premilk. Basically all the holes did was provide extra milkducts for it to excape. I asked my doctor about it and she said it was perfectly fine and that I shouldn't come across any problems."