Do nipple piercings undermine ability to breastfeed?

[Valley Oak]

I love piercings of all kinds but I'm curious to know if a lactating woman could have her nursing abilities reduced when trying to breastfeed her baby. Does anyone have any idea?

Thanks

[jitterbug]

You can always go to La Leche League for breastfeeding questions.

https://www.lalecheleague.org/faq/pierced.html

I love piercings of all kinds but I'm curious to know if a lactating woman could have her nursing abilities reduced when trying to breastfeed her baby. Does anyone have any idea?

Thanks

[sandoak]

If I were the goddess, interviewing prospective applicants for the job of motherhood, I would not hire anyone with nipple piercings.

I love piercings of all kinds but I'm curious to know if a lactating woman could have her nursing abilities reduced when trying to breastfeed her baby. Does anyone have any idea?

Thanks

[podfish]

If I were the goddess, interviewing prospective applicants for the job of motherhood, I would not hire anyone with nipple piercings.

how 'bout earrings? ... or is there a graph of seriousness of job vs. tolerable frivolous behavior somewhere?

[Dixon]

If I were the goddess, interviewing prospective applicants for the job of motherhood, I would not hire anyone with nipple piercings.

Why not?

[Jerry Green]

You are, and I agree totally.

Don't like piercing in general.

Knot my design....

GOD

If I were the goddess, interviewing prospective applicants for the job of motherhood, I would not hire anyone with nipple piercings.

[sandoak]

It's not about seriousness and frivolity. It's about an orientation harmonious with what needs to unfold.

Neither would the goddess hire someone with tongue piercings for her woodwind quartet, nor someone with ankle piercings for her track team.

how 'bout earrings? ... or is there a graph of seriousness of job vs. tolerable frivolous behavior somewhere?

[Dixon]

Neither would the goddess hire someone with tongue piercings for her woodwind quartet, nor someone with ankle piercings for her track team.

So you're suggesting that having pierced nipples would interfere somehow with the breast-feeding process?

[Shandi]

Pierced nipples, tongues, ears, noses, eyebrows, lips (both areas) or any of those places that many people choose to pierce may or may not interfere with the activity those parts are naturally designed for. It depends....really.

I see many young people with piercings, and jewelry in various areas. I've often wondered if having them in the tongue interferes with speech, or kissing another person's lips, or other areas. I have't noticed not being able to understand what they say to me. But I've never had the opportunity to lock lips with jewelry in piercings, so I don't speak from experience. It would be great to have some first hand information. Anyone? Do your piercings interfere with any activities? What's your (intimate) experience with other's piercings?

The only problem I see with nipple piercings for breastfeeding might be if there's jewelry in the piercings, that might come loose and hurt the baby. If I had jewelry in my nipple piercings, I'd simply remove it when I breastfed.

I can imagine that the goddess wouldn't approve of the many things we do that may cause physical or emotional harm to others. Unfortunately, conscious beings who get their approval from within, don't consider whether or not their behavior would be approved by the goddess. Unconscious beings do whatever they want, with no thought of how it might affect others, whether it's their baby or a stranger.

It would be interesting to know what LaLeche has to say, if we regard them as an authority on breast feeding.

So you're suggesting that having pierced nipples would interfere somehow with the breast-feeding process?

[Shandi]

We all know that piercings have been part of various cultures in history. Recall that some of the "jewelry" in ears, lips, and noses were huge, (and judged ugly by our norms) and might seem very unnatural to us. Some of these cultures were very spiritual, and also used drugs to reach altered states. "Knot God's design", but then what is?

This may be a case of using a belief in a "authority" (GOD) to back up an "opinion" of not liking piercings, in general.

I don't care much for them myself, but I admit, it's only my preference. When ear piercings were so popular, I waited until I was 40 to have it done. You might think this is a small thing, but for me, it was a "rite of passage".

A whole section on motives for piercings, tatoos, etc might be interesting. It must be online, but I'm really too busy with life priorities to look. What fascinates me is why people get tatoos that no one can see, and that they themselves can't see. Maybe that too is a "rite of passage" and pain endurance.

The only thing I totally agree with is people's rights of choice. If those choices hurt someone or themselves,, which happens, the consequences may one day rise to the surface.

You are, and I agree totally.

Don't like piercing in general.

Knot my design....

GOD

[Shandi]

If I were the goddess, interviewing prospective applicants for the job of motherhood, I would not hire anyone with nipple piercings.

Motherhood doesn't require breastfeeding. This seems like a high level of judgement, and generalization about motherhood. "All those with piercings may not apply to mother a child. Don't even think about it".
Better to have "motherless" children, than mothers with piercings.....

[Dixon]

This may be a case of using a belief in a "authority" (GOD) to back up an "opinion"...

Yeah, I see people doing that all the time. It's another reason I'm glad I became an atheist.
Of course, if someone wanted to cite some god as a reason for something (especially a negative judgment on someone else) there's a huge burden of proof that goes with that--first proof that the god exists, and then proof that what you say he/she/it wants is really what he/she/it wants. To my knowledge, no one has ever satisfied even the first part of the proof, so introducing some god into a discussion decreases the discussant's credibility considerably.

A whole section on motives for piercings, tatoos, etc might be interesting.

I reckon those motives are not fundamentally different from people's motives for looking conservative or whatever: identification with a subculture, distinguishing oneself from other subcultures, personal aesthetic self-expression, and perhaps increasing the possibility for getting laid or married. The big recent boom in tattoos, piercings, and other body modifications in our culture was largely triggered by the highly influential book Modern Primitives, published in 1989.

The only thing I totally agree with is people's rights of choice.

Me too!

I haven't gotten tattoos because I hate pain more than I like them and I haven't anything to prove, macho-wise. I haven't gotten more than one piercing because the second one I got kept getting infected in spite of my keeping it clean, so I let it close up. So I stay content with just my one earring hole.

I like art whether it's on a canvas or on someone's skin. Of course, crappy art is gonna look crappy to me, also whether it's on a canvas or on someone's skin. But there is lots of beautiful tattoo art. To me, tattoos and piercings are really sexy on a woman, though I haven't had occasion to kiss a pierced tongue or pierced clitoral hood with jewelry in it--yet.

We're all entitled to our aesthetic preferences, conservative or radical though they may be. What sucks is when people have a negative judgment on others, even discriminating against them (in hiring, for instance), based on superficialities such as the presence or absence of tattoos or piercings (or hairstyle, clothing, etc.). That's just plain bigotry.

[Shandi]

Dixon, thanks for sharing your welcome views on this topic. Some might say that the "universe" didn't want you to have "two" earring holes, in spite of your efforts.

I aslo appreciate visual art wherever I find it, whether in nature, jewelry, clothing, fabric, food, tatoos, face painting, sand sculptures, hair, stained/clear glass, wood, metal, and the list is endless.

People do tend to judge us by what they can see, or what someone may have told them about us. Ordinarily, if I was applying for a job, I would tend to hide my nipples, pierced or not, unless it was a job as a topless dancer or waitress. But my chances for that are gone. Actually people hiring for these positions may actually prefer nipple jewelry.

What's always interesting is how we may assume that we know what might attract someone. Back in the day I had a lingerie fetish, I surprised my new lover with a sexy outfit. He was kind of shy, and he said he preferred me naked. I had one other experience that was the same kind of thing. I thought that most men like lingerie, but I found out differently.

Recently I went to kiss someone on the lips, and he pulled away. He said he didn't want lipstick on his mouth. I told him and showed him that I use a special lipstick that doesn't come off, even if you rub it. I've always had a dislike for seeing lipstick prints on cups and glasses. I discovered this stuff many years ago, and love it. The color lasts for hours I think it's used by many movie stars. Oh dear, I've gone off on another subject.....

Coming back to how we make assumptions about what people like. Not all men like make up. Many women don't like it either. I used to insist on a little lipstick when I did portraits of women, so they wouldn't look washed out. A fact is that some contrast makes things more interesting to the eye.

That's why it's so difficult to read a huge block of type, with no white space for eye relief. Something I wish people would remember that, so we're more attracted to reading what they write.

...I haven't gotten tattoos because I hate pain more than I like them and I haven't anything to prove, macho-wise. I haven't gotten more than one piercing because the second one I got kept getting infected in spite of my keeping it clean, so I let it close up. So I stay content with just my one earring hole.

I like art whether it's ...

[Shandi]

La Leche League's conclusion: "There is no evidence to suggest that a woman's pierced nipples will have any effect on her ability to breastfeed."

Why not?

[tomcat]

Answer found, Yes, it could, to some degree.

https://drchristina.com/ask-dr-chris...pple-piercing/

b) Nerve damage – Piercing can damage milk production ducts in the breast. It may also cause a problem later if the patient decides to breastfeed. The patient may also risk the loss of feeling in that area.


Problems can occur with piercing the body anywhere. Here is a link that talks about dental problems associated with tongue piercing: chipped teeth, infections, nerve and gum damage, drooling, taste loss, and tooth loss.

https://englewooddental.com/piercing-warning.htm


Tom

[Shandi]

The key words here are "could" to "some degree" and "can" damage milk production. It "may" also cause a problem later if the patient decides to breastfeed. The patient "may" also risk the loss of feeling in that area.

These statements are far from scientific facts, which would site studies and statistics. And how does this help people who have piercings, except instill "fear", which we all know does "real damage" to our emotions and "can" affect us physically.

If this information prevents anyone from getting piercings that "may" be a desirable outcome, but I doubt if those who have the desire to do it, consult the opinions/statements of professionals. They "may" later on "if" they have problems with their piercings, but it would be a little late. If it does interefere with breastfeeding, then they can also feel "guilt"....also, not a desirable outcome. So, we have "fear" and "guilt". Those two emotions which have no positive benefits.

Answer found, Yes, it could, to some degree....

[Valley Oak]

Can't we find something better to talk about besides nipple piercings? Jeeez!
Who's the nut job that started this thread in the first place!?

[Dixon]

Jeeez! Whose the nut job that started this thread in the first place!

Now that your nips have been pierced, Edward, you'll never be able to breastfeed again.

[Dixon]

Some might say that the "universe" didn't want you to have "two" earring holes, in spite of your efforts.

Yeah, people say all kinds of silly shit, don't we?

[Shandi]

Edward,

I figured the issue was important to you, for your reasons. As you may know by now, very few questions go unanswered on our community BB. And it gives those with opposing opinions, perceptions , and judgements, the opportunity to come out and play with each other. And, it's sometimes more fun than just looking up the answer ourselves, because we get to involve the community.

Can't we find something better to talk about besides nipple piercings? Jeeez!
Who's the nut job that started this thread in the first place!

[Valley Oak]

Well, I guess I can stop saving for that sex reassignment surgery and spend the money on something else. I'm going to buy all the seasons of Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, Tru Blood, and Futurama.

And I'm going to buy a wrecking ball and shoot my version of Miley Cyrus' music video. I'll do it much better than her since she doesn't seem to have nipple piercings and I'm much sexier than she is in the raw. You'll see me get billions of hits more on my Youtube video. I'll cream Miley!

Now that your nips have been pierced, Edward, you'll never be able to breastfeed again.

[Dixon]

And I'm going to buy a wrecking ball and shoot my version of Miley Cyrus' music video. I'll do it much better than her since she doesn't seem to have nipple piercings and I'm much sexier than she is in the raw.

Yeeesh! There's a mental image I could have done without.

[tomcat]

Hey, just answering the question by quoting a doctor. I gave the link.

These things should be common sense, just like "look both ways before crossing the street". You could get hit by a car, you may be injured to some degree, it can happen because it does every day.

If you want scientific facts with studies and statistics, I'm sure they are probably available on the internet with graphic photos of damage done.

Fear and guilt just seem to be part of the human experience. Oh well.

Tom

The key words here are "could" to "some degree" and "can" damage milk production. It "may" also cause a problem later if the patient decides to breastfeed. The patient "may" also risk the loss of feeling in that area.

These statements are far from scientific facts, which would site studies and statistics. And how does this help people who have piercings, except instill "fear", which we all know does "real damage" to our emotions and "can" affect us physically.

If this information prevents anyone from getting piercings that "may" be a desirable outcome, but I doubt if those who have the desire to do it, consult the opinions/statements of professionals. They "may" later on "if" they have problems with their piercings, but it would be a little late. If it does interefere with breastfeeding, then they can also feel "guilt"....also, not a desirable outcome. So, we have "fear" and "guilt". Those two emotions which have no positive benefits.

[Shandi]

This was the original query:..... if a lactating woman could have her nursing abilities reduced when trying to breastfeed her baby."
(I'm still unsure what prompted Edward Mendoza to ask this question here, rather than look it up, as we've done.)

The danger of crossing a street without looking is surely apparent, except to a young child or an animal, or someone in a state of hampered mental or physical abilities with an inability to see or hear.

Since we rarely research the many decisions that we make in our lives, that have an effect on our well-being, it would be great to rely on "common sense". The problem lies in the fact that it's not really very "common". Also, many of us rely on an "authority" to tell us what to do or not do. Example: Flu shots. There are doctors on both sides of this issue, with a lot of evidence showing the possible dangers of not getting them, and the harmful consequnces of getting them.
Who do you believe? I rely on my instincts and some research, along with a general distrust of those who have a vested interest in my decisions.

As a child, I never had sensible authority figures to tell me what to do, so I had to manuever in the world alone, riding buses and streetcars at 6yrs. old, walking in isolated alleys, enrolling myself in kindergarden, and seeing beyond the appearances of those men who approached me to give me candy, a ride, or take me to their home. I guess I was developing my own brand of "common sense", and fortunately it may have protected me from significant harm.

As a teenager, I didn't relate to most kids, and therefore had no need to do things to insure acceptance. I had already lost my childhood, and there was no going back. If I'd been a teen or young adult in the 80's, I probobly wouldn't have opted for tatoos or piercings, to fit in, or make a statement. Not from my common sense, or fear of physical problems, but it held no attraction for me. I just never did things because others were doing them. Getting my ears pierced at 40 was a big step. I just decided it was time. ( I saw babies with pierced ears, and I thought that might be dangerous. I wonder if studies have been done on that!)

We all know that danger lurks in unknown places. We can go for a hike, pick up a tick, and end up with devestating Lyme disease. We can climb on a ladder to fix a light and loose our balance. We can go for a ride on a beautiful day, and be hit by a drunk driver, or someone going the wrong way. We all take risks, without considering the consequences. Those who choose piercings and tatoos are taking a risk of various potential consequences. If they saw that most of these actions ended in disaster, that might affect their decisions. For some, just seeing one piercing gone bad might be enough. For others, they might say "that won't happen to me".

Yes, fear and guilt are part of the human condition, but every chance I get, I share the uselessness of these, in living a positive, creative lifestyle. And hope that my words never contribute to developing or holding on to these feelings.

There have been times in my adult life, when my decisions weren't based on common sense, but on a heartfelt response to someone in need. And I suffered the consequences with financial and emotional devestation. It would be great if "common sense" was common, and it could be used as a factor in all of our decisions. But then, we'd probably never take risks, and I think that's the stuff that life's made of. And still, I believe this:

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Leo F. Buscaglia

[Valley Oak]

To answer your question, Shandi, I will quote you:

I figured the issue was important to you (Edward), for your reasons. As you may know by now, very few questions go unanswered on our community BB. And it gives those with opposing opinions, perceptions , and judgements, the opportunity to come out and play with each other. And, it's sometimes more fun than just looking up the answer ourselves, because we get to involve the community.

(I'm still unsure what prompted Edward Mendoza to ask this question here, rather than look it up, as we've done.)

[Shandi]

I have no futher questions on this topic. Something more important is calling to me, from a response to my post about Neighborhood.com, but I may let my dreamy unconscious provide a conscious reply....maybe tomorrow.....and maybe not at all. I'm just not sure if it's worth my energy. Probably not. It might be nice to let it go into the ethers to allow it to echo on, saving neighbors from "getting involved" with other questionable neighbors. Not joining Neighborhood.com may very well save your life and your pet's life. Maybe I'm just a "busy body" wanting to share resources, when I should be minding my own business. Comments from anyone? Whadya think?

To answer your question, Shandi, I will quote you:

I figured the issue was important to you (Edward), for your reasons. As you may know by now, very few questions go unanswered on our community BB. And it gives those with opposing opinions, perceptions , and judgements, the opportunity to come out and play with each other. And, it's sometimes more fun than just looking up the answer ourselves, because we get to involve the community.

[Valley Oak]

I should have also added that whenever I take a course at SSU or SRJC, instructors usually tell their students that their questions in class are the same questions that other students have as well.

By sharing in community discussion, I am not the only beneficiary. Many others, if they are interested, will also learn something that is useful and enlightening to them. If you look at the number of visits to this thread you'll see that the number has surpassed 600! That clearly reflects the public value of our discussion; there is a strong demand and interest in this subject.

That is another reason why I chose not to look it up myself and, therefore, enrich this wonderful community.

I have no futher questions on this topic. Something more important is calling to me, from a response to my post about Neighborhood.com, but I may let my dreamy unconscious provide a conscious reply....maybe tomorrow.....and maybe not at all. I'm just not sure if it's worth my energy. Probably not. It might be nice to let it go into the ethers to allow it to echo on, saving neighbors from "getting involved" with other questionable neighbors. Not joining Neighborhood.com may very well save your life and your pet's life. Maybe I'm just a "busy body" wanting to share resources, when I should be minding my own business. Comments from anyone? Whadya think?