Can biting/pinching permanently damage the nipples?

[flying66]

actually my piercer says that it's possible that nipple piercings may damage your ability to breastfeed. I don't know about playing and clamping etc. though.

[munajadida]

actually my piercer says that it's possible that nipple piercings may damage your ability to breastfeed. I don't know about playing and clamping etc. though.

Now this I know about. I am a lactation educator. I teach breastfeeding classes. While a piercing may sever a few milk ducts, it's nowhere near enough to interfere with breastfeeding. The only issue may be that a bit of milk may come out of the holes.

[lozzy]

Now this I know about. I am a lactation educator. I teach breastfeeding classes. While a piercing may sever a few milk ducts, it's nowhere near enough to interfere with breastfeeding. The only issue may be that a bit of milk may come out of the holes.

So, say I get pregnant.. would the best thing to do be to take the piercing out asap so the holes have more time to heal? Or will this not make a difference?

[munajadida]

So, say I get pregnant.. would the best thing to do be to take the piercing out asap so the holes have more time to heal? Or will this not make a difference?

It won't make a difference. It may or may not ever close up entirely. Some people can leave theirs out for years and pop them right back in, others can't leave them out for more than an hour without them closing. Some people leave them in, but I wouldn't recommend it due to the risk of damage to the baby's palate.