Last Updated: April 2026
TL;DR:
- Plastic nipple retainers (made of PTFE/Teflon or Bioplast) keep your piercing open during pregnancy while staying flexible and comfortable as your body changes — and they are metal-free and hypoallergenic.
- They are inexpensive, lightweight, and low-irritation, but they are porous, not very durable, and must be removed and cleaned regularly. Always remove nipple jewelry before breastfeeding.
- The 6 picks below are flexible acrylic/Bioplast retainers in various lengths and colors. Choose based on fit and material, and consult your doctor or midwife about nipple jewelry during pregnancy and nursing.
Pregnancy changes your body, but it does not have to mean losing a nipple piercing you spent a year or more healing. Flexible plastic retainers let you keep the piercing open comfortably as your breasts change. As a jeweler, here is what these retainers are made of and six safe options — with the important caveat to always involve your healthcare provider. For active wear in another piercing, see our guide to flexible belly button rings for sports.
What Are Plastic Nipple Rings for Pregnancy?
Plastic nipple rings — also called retainers — are lightweight, flexible barbells or rings that keep a nipple piercing open during pregnancy and maternity. They are easy to put in and take out, come in various shapes and sizes, and are designed for comfort as the breasts enlarge. Critically, they must be removed between feeds when breastfeeding, since no nipple jewelry should be worn while nursing.
The appeal is flexibility and comfort. As hormones and breast size change during pregnancy, rigid metal jewelry can become uncomfortable, whereas flexible plastic flexes with your body. These retainers are a practical way to preserve the piercing without the irritation a stiff metal bar might cause during this period.
What Are Plastic Nipple Rings Made Of?
Most plastic nipple retainers are made of PTFE (Teflon) or Bioplast/Bioflex — skin-friendly, biocompatible, lightweight, and metal-free materials. These plastics are flexible and comfortable, with a low risk of irritation, which is why they are favored during pregnancy. Some include screw-on end balls made of surgical steel, acrylic, or CZ, so if you are metal-sensitive, check the ball material too.
PTFE and Bioplast are chosen because they are gentle and bendable. According to the basics of PTFE, it is inert and biocompatible, which makes it suitable for body jewelry. Bioplast, a bioplastic, behaves similarly. Always research a specific piece and remember that bodies differ — what suits one person may not suit another.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Plastic Nipple Rings?
Pros: they are cheap, lightweight, flexible, comfortable, metal-free, hypoallergenic, and low-irritation. Cons: they can look cheap, are porous and may leach chemicals with prolonged wear, must be removed and cleaned regularly, and are not durable. They are best treated as temporary retainers for the pregnancy period rather than permanent everyday jewelry.
The porosity is the main reason these are not meant for indefinite daily wear — porous plastic can harbor bacteria and degrade over time. Clean them regularly, replace them when they lose tightness, and view them as a comfortable, low-cost solution for keeping the piercing open during a specific life stage. For permanent or higher-quality jewelry afterward, see our roundup of best hypoallergenic nipple rings.
The 6 Best Plastic Nipple Rings for Pregnancy
1. Ruifan Pregnancy/Maternity Flexible Bioplast Nipple Ring Retainer
A 6-piece set of flexible acrylic retainers in extra-long lengths you can trim for a perfect fit, with screw-on end balls in surgical steel, acrylic, and CZ. Comes with a free velvet bag, and the pieces are hypoallergenic, lightweight, and easy to wear. Note: if you are sensitive to surgical steel, watch the ball material.
2. Forbidden Body Jewelry Flexible Acrylic Nipple Ring
Pink flexible acrylic barbell rings with a bonus barbell, made of hypoallergenic, medical-grade solid acrylic. Comfortable, metal-free, and easy to wear to the doctor — a pretty, practical option for on-and-off pregnancy wear.
3. The Jewelry Archivist Flexible PTFE Nipple Ring Retainer (2-Pack)
Nickel- and allergy-free flexible PTFE retainers with rose-gold-plated balls (titanium IP over surgical steel base) in a choice of colors. Comfortable, lightweight, and customizable — just remember plastic is porous, so do not wear them every single day indefinitely.
4. Ruifan Pregnancy Flexible Bioplast Nipple Rings (5-Pack)
Five clear, flexible Bioplast retainers made specifically for pregnancy and maternity, in allergy-free, non-toxic acrylic. Easy to wear, remove, and clean, and comfortable and lightweight — a solid value multipack.
5. SCERRING Clear Acrylic Nipple Barbell Rings (20–30 Pieces)
A budget-friendly bulk set of 14-gauge clear Bioplast barbells (19mm, 6mm balls), metal-free and safe to wear to surgery or medical procedures. Versatile enough to double as tongue retainers — great value for pregnancy and nursing.
6. Forbidden Body Jewelry 14G Acrylic Nipple Ring
Black 14-gauge flexible acrylic retainers, comfortable and safe around hospitals, surgery, and MRIs, with a bonus barbell in the color ordered. Made of solid acrylic that won’t scrape off — a reliable, hypoallergenic choice.
How Do You Choose and Use Plastic Nipple Rings Safely?
Pick the right gauge and length for your piercing (14-gauge is common), choose PTFE or Bioplast for biocompatibility, and check the end-ball material if you are metal-sensitive. Clean them regularly, replace them when they lose tightness or show wear, and always remove nipple jewelry before breastfeeding. Most importantly, talk to your doctor or midwife about wearing nipple jewelry during pregnancy and nursing.
Safety comes down to material, hygiene, and timing. Flexible plastic minimizes irritation, regular cleaning prevents bacterial buildup in the porous material, and removing jewelry before feeds protects your baby. This is a health-sensitive area, so professional guidance from your healthcare provider should always come first. For a higher-end transition after pregnancy, see our look at high-end nipple piercing jewelry.
The Bottom Line
Plastic nipple retainers made of PTFE or Bioplast are an inexpensive, flexible, metal-free way to keep a nipple piercing open through pregnancy while staying comfortable as your body changes. The six options above are all hypoallergenic and easy to wear, ranging from trimmable long retainers to value multipacks. Just remember their limits: plastic is porous and not durable, so clean them regularly, replace them when needed, and never treat them as permanent everyday jewelry. Always remove nipple jewelry before breastfeeding, and consult your doctor or midwife about wearing it during pregnancy and nursing — their guidance matters more than any product choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my nipple piercing during pregnancy?
Often yes, but consult your doctor or midwife first. Many people keep their nipple piercing open during pregnancy using flexible plastic retainers, which are more comfortable than metal as the breasts change. However, you must remove all nipple jewelry before breastfeeding, as it poses a choking and injury risk to the baby and can interfere with feeding. Some choose to remove jewelry entirely during nursing and reinsert a retainer between feeds. Professional medical guidance should always guide your decision.
Are plastic nipple rings safe?
Plastic retainers made of PTFE or Bioplast are biocompatible, skin-friendly, and hypoallergenic, making them a low-irritation choice for pregnancy. They are generally safe for temporary use, but the plastic is porous, so it can harbor bacteria and may leach chemicals with prolonged daily wear. Clean them regularly, replace them when they degrade, and do not treat them as permanent jewelry. For any concerns about your specific situation, especially during pregnancy and nursing, consult your healthcare provider.
Do I have to remove nipple jewelry to breastfeed?
Yes — always remove nipple jewelry before breastfeeding. Jewelry left in during nursing is a choking and injury hazard for the baby and can interfere with latching and milk flow. Many people remove the jewelry for each feed and reinsert a flexible plastic retainer between feeds to keep the piercing open, while others remove it entirely for the nursing period. Whatever you choose, the jewelry must be out during actual feeding. Discuss the safest approach with your midwife or doctor.
How often should I replace plastic nipple retainers?
Replace them whenever they lose tightness, show wear, or no longer feel secure — plastic retainers are not durable and degrade faster than metal. Because the material is porous, regular cleaning is essential, and frequent replacement keeps the piercing hygienic. Many of the options above come in multipacks precisely because they are meant to be swapped out periodically. Treat them as consumable, temporary jewelry rather than long-term pieces, and never continue using one that has become loose or damaged.
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