A piercing through the nipple. Can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, slantways, etc. Applicable to men and women. There can be multiple piercings in the area, though 3 per nipple seems to be the limit.

Jewelry to begin with is usually a CBR (Captured Ball/Bead Ring), but later can be changed to curved bars, straight bars, shields, etc. Mine were done with 14 gauge CBR's, but they grew out. When I get them pierced again, I'll have the guy up the size, because bigger gauges migrate less.

Aftercare list from Stainless Studios. Stolen from BME:

Wash your hands before touching your piercing.
Wash the area surrounding and including the piercing with an antibacterial soap at most 2 times a day.
Concentrate on the piercing itself and soak away the crust (do not pick or pull at the crust -- just like a scab, it is connected to the healing tissue).
Lather up the jewelry and move it back and forth through the piercing six or seven times.
Allow the cleanser to soak in for one minute.
Rinse off the cleanser with some warm water and move the jewelry a couple of times to allow any excess cleanser to be removed from inside the piercing.
Pat dry the piercing – Do not rub with a towel.

If you notice any errors or further recommendations, /msg me, and I'll add them. Or you can too.

---

I've heard of skadip's methods, and they work. There's more than one way to skin a cat. I've done it my way, and it works. But I've heard from some people that they like it the salt-water way. YMMV

I don't know if I would consider these errors, but I was taught some slightly different methods.

In general, body piercings -- but especially the more sensitive areas of the body -- dry out and are irritated by antibacterial soaps, or any cleansers, really. The best solution is to soak the piercings in hot water with Iodine-free sea salt dissolved in it. The solution should be about 1 teaspoon sea salt to 1 cup of water. The best way I found to soak nipples is to use two shot-glasses.

danlowlite is right in saying that you should never try to pick off crusty stuff (yum) -- because it reacts like picking off a scab -- it will scar. Also along those lines, when you are soaking, you should not move the jewelry through the piercing -- there is no need, and you will only cause scarring inside. If you soak frequently (two times a day for ten minutes each) in the first month or two, things should heal nicely. Just because you are not turning the jewelry inside the piercing does not mean that it will stick to the skin. The idea that we need to spin our jewelry comes from the piercing gun booth at the mall -- it's not needed, and will cause harm.

After you soak, run warm water over the piercings. Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel -- less chance of germs than from a cloth towel.

Do not allow anyone to put their hands or mouth on your piercings for a minimum of 4 weeks -- longer if the area is not already healing.

And last -- sleep with a shirt on for the first couple of months. Just trust me on this one.

Nipple piercing and breastfeeding are compatible.

This is not a recommendation to run out and pierce your nipples but if you do, by all means know that breastfeeding can proceed. Breastfeeding and body modifications have both stood the test of time; and speaking of time ... the timing of the piercing is important. It should be healed prior to pregnancy if possible and certainly prior to lactation. It should not be done during pregnancy or lactation.

LLLI literature states jewelry will need to be removed before the baby feeds. This can be done every time the baby nurses but how tedious. Breastfed babies eat frequently! Or the jewelry can be removed long term however this may cause the hole to close; perchance to be repierced again after natural weaning. Most writers think jewelry removal before feeding is always necessary. Be CERTAIN nothing (beads, balls) can come loose in the infant's mouth if you elect to leave jewelry in. Captive bead rings are said to especially risky if left in place during a feeding. Barbells, while said to be less risky for aspiration may still cause the infant discomfort, palate injury and/or sucking difficulties. Curved barbells are said to be easier to remove and replace after each feeding.

Problems (scaring, blocked ducts, milk leakage, tearing, rejection, migration, infection, swelling, delayed healing and closure of the pierce after removal of jewelry) have been reported. Multiple piercings greatly multiply the chances of problems occurring.

Piercing has been used to evert inverted nipples, with dubious results. Piercing inverted nipples may mean placing the pierce in the areola and this really increases the chance of problems. Tension on the jewelry (in an attempt to pull out the inverted nipple)increases the chance of migration as well.

All normal precautions should be taken to prevent infection. Paranoia is a good thing when choosing a piercer. Hepatitis and HIV are not just problems for the mother, they affect the infant too. Be safe.

Take home message - if your nipples are pierced and you have a baby; breastfeed. If problems occur; solve the problems and breastfeed because breastfeeding matters. If your nipples are not pierced but you'd like them to be consider waiting until after the natural age weaning of your last child before piercing them. If you pierce them anyway loop back to "Take home message - if your nipples are pierced and you have a baby......"

---

SOURCES:

---

www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul99p64.html
Newsgroups: rec.arts.bodyart,news.answers,rec.answers
Subject: rec.arts.bodyart: Piercing FAQ 2D--Body Piercings and Their Suggested Jewelry
http://www.onetribe.com.au/faq/faq.htm
http://www.ambient.on.ca/bodmod/dragonlynx.html
Jack Newman on Lactnet
http://www.bodyjam.com/piercing.php3
http://login.bellaonline.com/beauty/beauty_and_fashion/body_art/articles/art 972756636484.htm