Breastfeeding (nipple rings TMI)

kohlsmommie22

Hi, I'm a FTM and I've decided that I want to breastfeed. I have had nipple rings for about a year and I just now took them out. Articles I've read online have said that as long as they're well taken care of and not infected, I could keep them in and just take them out when I needed to pump or breastfeed. A midwife at my doctors office said I would have to take them out. As I have just taken them out the right one has closed and seems to be bleeding a little, the left one is fine and I can still put a ring in and there is no discharge. I guess I'm just worried about the other and wondering if it will create scar tissue and prevent me from breastfeeding my son and if its strange or impossibly hard to breastfeed or pump with just one breast if i have to? I know it would produce less milk and I know that no one here is a doctor, just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this or has any advice? Thanks! (Sorry for being so long winded!) (Sn: I know my username is my name but I can't change it, the bump says its permanent)
(Edited: to add the bit about my username)

missab

I don't have any experience or even real advice, but I think it's great you're thinking about it so far in advance so you can try to heal properly before it's an issue. Hope your doc is able to provide some easy solutions. Best of luck to you!

Edit to say I think you can't change your USER name but I think there is a way to change your screen name. Are you only on mobile? If so you might try logging on to the full site or checking with the mods.)

kohlsmommie22

@missab Thanks! And yes, I go for my sugar test with my doc on Tuesday so I plan to ask then, hopefully he will be able to offer further advice. And I am mobile but I did also go on the site via my laptop and found little help but I will check with the Mods, thanks for the advice!

kohlsmommie22

@souptin‌ Haha, they haven't really bothered me at all, I haven't had much breast growth and I mostly just forget that they're there! And yeah I used to do the rinses when they were first pierced but I will def start them again. Thanks for the advice, I have read that it shouldn't affect much but the discharge worried me. If I let them close I probably won't go through getting them done again, once without going through scar tissue was enough for me lol. Thanks for replying!

kohlsmommie22

@frownyface‌ ooh thanks! I'll definitely look into that, I've never heard of it. Thanks for the encouraging words!

Ginja85

I removed mine early on around 14 weeks due to the sensitivity. My Dr was a bit skeeved by them and couldn't really answer if BF would be an issue (my prior breast reduction will more likely be an issue) but, my piercer a mom of 3 said they did not interfere with her BF & to just repierce after your BF journey is completed.

I do the same shotglass soaks as @souptin‌

A little bit of blood in babies milk isn't a big deal, nipps crack & bleed without piercings. If you'd like to keep them in look into PFTjewelry, its flexible & easily sterilized & cleaned.

fourthtimesacharm

I agree with salt water, I used to do the shot glasses too @souptin‌. I had mine pierced in 2002 and I had them for years. I did take them out a few years ago but they were so healed by then that I could go months without them and then put them back in without issue. FYI, when I put pressure on my boobs I do leak a little from the nipples and from the piercing holes.

knjzacher

As for scar tissue interfering: I had mine pierced and healed over and pierced and healed over. There are very visible scars there and I had no issues mechanically with breastfeeding and the latch related to the previous piercings.

And I echo what PP's have said! I would just leave them out. I wouldn't wanna mess around with putting the jewelry in and out a million times a day. Ain't nobody got time fo' dat.

TheWindCriesMary

I've actually been wondering about nipple ring protocol too. Mine have been done for 10 years now and I plan to just take them out and leave them out while BF. But can't decide when to take them out, and asking my dr slipped my mind at my last appt. I'm wondering if I should do it sooner than later, or wait until lo gets here, or if it even matters? While my boobs have doubled in size, my nipples are the same and I forget they're even there most of the time too.
Sorry no advice that hasn't been stated already (salt water rinses and H2Ocean are both great) but good luck and thanks for starting this thread:)

Scarlettg

knjzacher I've had them done, healed, re-done, and healed.  I asked my doc about it and he said it shouldn't be a problem, but like others have said, you really don't know if you can breastfeed until the time comes.  I would definitely just leave the jewelry out and re-pierce if necessary (and wanted) later.  

harlidoo

I have had mine out for years as well and my midwife said it shouldn't be an issue. If anything I may be more leaky than a "normal" woman.

tif5596

I asked my doctor about it and he told me the piercing shouldn't effect my ability to BF. He even told me to leave them in if I wanted to until it was time to BF. If mine do grow up I WILL NOT have them repierced! No! No! That was painful. I couldn't imagine going through scar tissue to have them done again. But it's the price we pay to be mommas!

marirosem07

Thank you for starting this post! I was really hesitant and reluctant to ask the same question.

kohlsmommie22

@knjzacher‌ thanks! I was worried about the scarring but im glad to know it shouldnt interfere @shortskirtlongjacket‌ thankyou! I'm gonna do it now, and thanks to all the other mommas for the great advice! It's greatly appreciated!