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Can I get an ear piercing while breastfeeding?

Can You Get an Ear Piercing While Breastfeeding?
The question of whether you can get an ear piercing while breastfeeding is one that many new mothers ponder. The good news is that, generally speaking, it is safe to get ear piercings while nursing, provided you take certain precautions.
Safety Considerations
When considering an ear piercing during breastfeeding, it’s important to note that no anesthetic injections are typically required for ear piercings, which means there is minimal risk of introducing drugs into your system that could affect your milk supply or your baby. However, maintaining cleanliness is crucial. After getting the piercing, you should ensure that the area is kept clean to prevent infection, which can be a concern for any new piercing.
Types of Piercings to Avoid
While ear piercings are generally safe, nipple piercings should be avoided while breastfeeding. This is primarily because nipple piercings can interfere with breastfeeding and may pose risks to both the mother and the baby. If you already have nipple piercings, breastfeeding is still possible, but it’s essential to monitor for any complications.
Timing Matters
Experts suggest that waiting at least three months after giving birth before getting any new piercings can be beneficial. This waiting period allows your body to recover from childbirth and helps ensure that your milk supply is stable.
Conclusion
In summary, if you’re a breastfeeding mother considering an ear piercing, you can proceed with confidence as long as you avoid nipple piercings and maintain proper hygiene. Always consult with a professional piercer who understands the unique needs of breastfeeding mothers to ensure a safe and positive experience.

Can piercing cause problems with breastfeeding?

Nipple piercings can impact breastfeeding for both mother and baby. Common concerns for mom may include nerve damage that impacts the milk ejection reflex or scarring that obstructs the milk flow which can, over time, affect milk production.

How soon after giving birth can I get my ears pierced?

If you’re pregnant, you should not get your ears pierced because of the risk of getting an infection. You should also wait 3 months after giving birth before getting your ears pierced.

Is it okay to get your ears pierced while pregnant?

Piercing during pregnancy isn’t recommended because even if the piercing is performed safely, there’s always a chance that an infection at the piercing site could occur and spread to your bloodstream, which poses a risk to your baby since their immune system is too weak to fight it.

Can you get an ear piercing when breastfeeding?

It is not recommended to get piercings or tattoos while breastfeeding and most shops won’t do it anyway. The hormones necessary to support lactation can affect the healing of the piercing and infection is always a concern.

When should a newborn girl get her ears pierced?

three months old
Wait until your child is at least three months old.
While there aren’t really any age restrictions when it comes to piercing a baby’s ears, Omega Pediatrics recommends waiting until your baby is three months old and has received two tetanus shots to avoid further complications.

What can’t you do while breastfeeding?

What foods and drinks should I limit or avoid while breastfeeding?

  • Alcohol. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby.
  • Caffeine. Avoid drinking more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeinated drinks a day.
  • Fish. Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Is piercing not allowed in nursing?

Whether or not nurses can have ear piercings often depends on the policies of the healthcare facility where they work. Some hospitals and clinics may have strict dress code policies that prohibit visible piercings, while others may allow certain types of piercings as long as they are subtle and not distracting.

Can I get a tattoo or piercing while breastfeeding?

It is not recommended to get piercings or tattoos while breastfeeding and most shops won’t do it anyway. The hormones necessary to support lactation can affect the healing of the piercing and infection is always a concern.

How long after a piercing can you breastfeed?

I recommend that you wait until you’re around 3-6 months postpartum. Why? Well, our bodies are incredibly busy post-birth, recovering and producing milk. Adding the extra task of healing a piercing might be too much, too soon.

Does breast milk heal piercings?

Piercings that are still healing may not heal well if you begin breastfeeding another baby. The breastmilk could cause the holes to close completely, or breast changes and stretching during feeds could prevent them healing at all.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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