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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

To the Editor: Body piercing has become increasingly popular and socially accepted throughout all age groups; it is particularly prevalent in the adolescent population.¹ Current information states that nipple piercing is generally not deemed to be detrimental to maternal milk supply.² However, irritation or trauma may predispose a nipple-pierced breast to infant attachment problems or blocked ducts.³ We present 3 patients with lactation difficulties suggesting that nipple piercings can lead to complications and that these complications can be associated with breastfeeding difficulties.

Methods

Patients were lactating women referred to the Human Lactation Research Group at the University of Western Australia for unilateral breast engorgement or poor milk supply. The ethics committee of the University of Western Australia provided approval for this study, and all participants gave informed consent for publication of these data.

Histories were obtained from the patients. All women were given advice regarding positioning and attachment of the infant . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Catherine P. Garbin
cgarbin@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Jane P. Deacon, MBBS; Marnie K. Rowan, BPharm, MBBS; Peter E. Hartmann, BSc, PhD; Donna T. Geddes, PhD
School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences
University of Western Australia
Crawley, Australia

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