Breastfeeding and Tattoos
Women around the world wear tattoos as a form of self-expression and/or cultural tradition. But tattooing is an invasive procedure and breastfeeding mothers often wonder about the safety of having art added to their body while they are breastfeeding.
There isn't really any research around tattoos and breastfeeding. So any guidelines are framed as risk minimisation rather than addressing known facts.
The biggest risk when being tattooed is the possibility of infection. While there is no evidence of transmission of the infection via breastmilk, feeling unwell might make it hard to feed and care for your young baby. Choosing a trusted tattoo artist with proven attention to hygiene is important. Some artists decline to ink pregnant or breastfeeding bodies to minimise litigation risk.
There is no evidence of ink being transferred to the milk and into the body or any negative outcomes as a result. However it makes sense to delay until the newborn immune system has time to mature. Some guidelines suggest waiting 9-12 months after birth however there is no evidence supporting this.
Body art is a personal choice and can be an important part of a person's identity. However you might like to consider the following before deciding to be tattooed during your breastfeeding season:
The position of your art: during the healing period you will need to keep the area clean and covered for a time. Pressure from your baby on the skin might cause discomfort. Older babies might be distracted and try to touch the sore area.
The skin of your breasts can stretch and retract significantly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This could distort your new art in a displeasing way. You might consider waiting to tattoo these areas.
There is a risk of blood-born disease from unclean equipment. Milk banks should screen your breastmilk after new tattoos and informal milk sharing parents might also ask for blood test results before giving their baby your milk. This is not judgement, just a safety precaution to protect against contracting a blood infection like HIV, hepatitis C, tetanus, or MRSA
Health Professionals seeking information about Breastfeeding and Tattoos can find it here
