Milk can exit through the holes left by a nipple piercing. This occurs because the piercing tract intersects with or runs closely alongside the milk ducts within the nipple structure. The piercing creates a new potential exit point for milk, separate from the natural pores at the tip of the nipple.
Milk Ducts and Piercing Placement
Milk is produced in the glandular tissue behind the nipple and travels through narrow channels called milk ducts to the surface. These ducts terminate at the tip of the nipple in approximately nine small openings. Piercings are typically placed horizontally or vertically through the base of the nipple, where it meets the areola, or sometimes directly through the nipple tissue.
A piercing tract, even when well-healed, can cut across one or more milk ducts. When the milk ejection reflex (let-down) occurs, milk flows under pressure toward the nipple’s surface. If a duct is severed or damaged, the milk may divert and escape through the piercing hole’s fistula (the channel of scar tissue lining the piercing). This leakage is usually not disruptive to feeding, especially if the baby has a deep latch that covers the piercing site. However, some parents observe a faster or messier milk flow from the pierced breast due to these extra exit points.
Safety of Nipple Jewelry While Nursing
All nipple jewelry must be removed before every feeding session. The primary reason is infant safety, as jewelry poses a significant choking hazard if it becomes loose or dislodged during the baby’s strong sucking action.
Even if the jewelry remains securely fastened, it can interfere with feeding. Metal or plastic jewelry can damage the baby’s delicate palate, gums, or tongue. The presence of jewelry also makes it difficult for the baby to establish a proper, deep latch necessary for effective milk transfer. If the parent is concerned about the piercing closing between feedings, a non-metal retainer or a very thin piece of jewelry may be used when the baby is not nursing, but it must still be removed before the baby goes to the breast.
Potential Issues When Breastfeeding with Piercings
While many parents breastfeed successfully after nipple piercing, the procedure can introduce potential health and functional complications. The piercing site can act as a pathway for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection, such as mastitis or a breast abscess. This risk is highest if the piercing is still healing or if hygiene is not carefully maintained.
The piercing may also affect the mechanics of milk removal and supply. If multiple milk ducts were severed or significant scar tissue formed inside the nipple, it could potentially block milk flow or reduce the overall milk supply in that breast. The inability to effectively remove the milk due to duct damage can signal the body to produce less.
Another common issue is altered sensitivity and increased leakage from the piercing tract during let-down. Some parents experience a forceful spray or increased milk velocity from the additional hole, which can be challenging for the baby to manage. Conversely, nerve damage during the piercing process can make the nipple less sensitive, potentially impacting the hormones necessary for a strong let-down reflex. If only one nipple was pierced, the unpierced breast can often compensate by increasing its milk production to meet the baby’s needs.