After a painful navel pierce and removal(original pierce was too deep and would not heal), and a successful hood pierce (a pretty little 14g number done at a studio in Calgary) I decided to take the plunge and get my nipples done (much to the pleasure of my husband).
At A Glance Author pierced mom When Two years ago Artist self Studio can't remember Location Calgary Alberta
As painful as expected, both nipples were pierced at 14 G with 5/8 inch CBRs set in place. WIth proper cleaning they both gradually healed nicely although with the small gauge rings in place crusties would appear now and then.. and my nipples would become quite irritated and sore.
Upon researching here on BME and seeking some advise from piercing professionals in Calgary, it was decided to up size my jewelry and see if this improved the situation. Over the course of the next 2 years, I gradually up sized to an 8 gauge CBR (or sometimes 8g barbells 5/8 inch in length). This larger gauge proved to provide more comfort overall in the nipples and crusties and pain were almost a thing of the past.
About 1/2 a year later I became pregnant and of course began to wonder about breastfeeding, prying eyes of doctors and nurses and whether or not I would be able to keep my piercings. Looking like a heavily pierced momma was sure to catch some attention(my ears were also done at 2g with 3/4" CBRs).
As the pregnancy developed my nipples grew like everything else (34b to a 34DD in no time flat) and somehow the 8g rings didn't look so big. It was at this time (about 4mos pregnant) that I again up sized to 6g. This time I switched over to barbells as they were much easier to handle and less conspicuous. A nice benefit of being pregnant was that the increased hormonal activity helped in the healing process and there was no discomfort or crusties from the up gauging.
To make a long storey short...the large gauge barbells were the ticket when breastfeeding as they were easy to remove and stick in a pocket. They were also much easier to put back in place, Pregnancy and breastfeeding made my nipples much larger and the large gauge jewelry was more visually suited to my nipple size....and pain and crusties are now a thing of the past.
Its been 2 years now since stretching my nipples to 6 gauge and the benefits experienced during this time have been numerous. My husband cant get enough of looking at my nipples and in the bedroom he is able to pull and stretch my nipples out and lick them and suck them in ways an un-pierced nipple can't be.
The weight of the rings have also increased the length of my nipples (which has a unique visual effect when coupled with the large gauge rings). Jewelry changing is easy as larger rings and barbells are much easier to manage.
So I could go on and on about benefits.... but there are some downsides. I work as a professional in a company which has strict dress and appearance codes. So hiding the bumps under my shirt has led to some creativity in my wardrobe as well as a collection of well padded bras. My 2 gauge ears are a thing of the past and are now reduced to 10 gauge and I often just wear regular jewelry there. Also on the downside is that attractive jewelry in larger gauges which is suitable to nipples piercing is very limited..while there are plenty of offerings in CBRs, flesh tunnels and other neet stuff like that can't be found in the appropriate lengths so my choices in what jewelry to wear (other then CBRs, circular and regular barbells) is very limited and sometimes boring...although nipples shields and some black circular barbells (I found in Ottawa while on business) spice things up a bit. The jewelry selections I have recently seen online seems to be improving and I have recently found some interesting pieces..
In fact I have just ordered some uniquely tapered 4 gauge captive bead rings and a new matching 12 g CBR for my hood (finally going to take the plunge there) and am once again up stretching my piercings! ...although having discussed things with my hubby, we have decided to stop at 4 g for my nips as we both feel that this is the point where the gauge/nipple size are in perfect balance.. (although we may continue to stretch my hood piercing up to 8 or maybe even 6 gauge...we'll see as we go there as my hood is not huge and my inner labia are somewhat covered by my outer labia which currently has my hood ring sitting on an angle (although the pierce is dead straight).
Ladies...if you are considering up sizing or if you are pregnant, large gauge is the way!