Can You Get a Piercing While Breastfeeding

Introduction: Weighing Style Against Safety

Many people consider new piercings as a way to express themselves, mark a life change or simply enjoy body art. However, if you are breastfeeding, you may wonder whether it is safe to go ahead with a piercing. While there is no law in the UK that prohibits body piercings during breastfeeding, there are important health, safety and practical factors to think about before making a decision.

The Medical Perspective

When breastfeeding, your immune system is naturally under some strain as your body focuses on producing milk and supporting recovery from pregnancy. A piercing creates an open wound, which carries a risk of infection. Any infection during this time can affect your wellbeing and, in serious cases, may interfere with your ability to breastfeed comfortably. While piercings themselves do not pass infection into breast milk, systemic infections or antibiotics may cause complications.

Nipple Piercings and Breastfeeding

The main area of concern is nipple piercings. If you already have healed nipple piercings, it is usually possible to breastfeed by simply removing jewellery before feeds to reduce choking hazards for the baby. However, getting a new nipple piercing while breastfeeding is strongly discouraged. Fresh nipple piercings can take six to twelve months to heal fully, and during that time the risk of infection, irritation, and issues with milk flow are much higher. There is also a risk of mastitis, a painful breast infection, which could complicate both healing and feeding.

Other Types of Piercings

For piercings in areas other than the nipple, such as ear, nose or navel piercings, the risks are less directly connected to breastfeeding. The main concerns are still infection, delayed healing and the impact of stress on your body during a time when you are already adapting to the demands of caring for a newborn. Healing can be slower while breastfeeding due to hormonal and immune system changes, so even these piercings may require extra care.

Studio Policies and Professional Advice

Reputable piercing studios often have their own policies on clients who are breastfeeding. Many will advise waiting until breastfeeding has reduced or finished before attempting piercings, particularly nipple piercings. Professional piercers prioritise client safety, and they may decline to perform the procedure if they believe the risk of complications is too high.

Aftercare Considerations

If you do decide to get a piercing while breastfeeding, strict aftercare is vital. This includes cleaning the piercing site with a sterile saline solution, avoiding unnecessary touching or twisting of the jewellery, and monitoring for any signs of infection such as swelling, pain, heat or discharge. Breastfeeding itself demands time and attention, so consider whether you can realistically commit to proper aftercare alongside caring for your baby.

When to Wait

In most cases, the safest approach is to wait until after breastfeeding has finished before getting new piercings. This allows your body to fully heal from pregnancy and feeding, reduces the risk of complications, and gives you more time to focus on aftercare without added stress. For nipple piercings in particular, waiting ensures you avoid unnecessary risks to both yourself and your baby.

Final Thought

You can technically get certain piercings while breastfeeding, but most professionals recommend waiting until this stage of life has passed, especially for nipple piercings. The risks of infection, delayed healing and added strain on the body outweigh the benefits of having a new piercing during this time. If expressing your individuality through body art is important to you, consider alternative options for now, and plan for new piercings once your body is fully ready.