Is It Safe For A Breastfeeding Mom To Get A Tattoo? - BabyCenter

Tattoos are a great form of self-expression, and more common now than ever. Almost one-third of Americans have at least one tattooOpens a new window, and 69% of those people get inked in honor of someone or something.

But while it's tempting to add on some body art as a tribute to your new baby, experts generally agree it's best to hold off on getting a tattoo while breastfeeding.

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Key Takeaways

• Experts recommend waiting until after you've stopped breastfeeding to get a tattoo, to give your body time to heal and to reduce any added stress on your body.
• Infection is the main risk when getting a tattoo while breastfeeding, especially if sterile procedures aren't followed.
• Reputable tattoo artists often refuse to tattoo breastfeeding or pregnant women due to safety concerns and liability risks.

Is it safe to get a tattoo while breastfeeding?

There's always some risk associated with getting a tattoo, and the main concern is infection. That's because the process of getting a tattoo includes using a machine to insert tiny drops of ink into the top layer of the skin – something that can cause pain, bleeding, and other skin problems.

Most experts believe that tattoo ink is too large a molecule to make it into breast milk, but they still advise waiting a while before you get a tattoo after giving birth. This helps to give your body a chance to heal and to finish weaning.

"If a new mom isn't breastfeeding, I would recommend waiting at least 6 weeks after birth before getting a tattoo," says Kristin Cohen, DNP, a certified nurse-midwife and board-certified women's healthcare nurse practitioner in New Jersey. "Waiting longer than that may make sense depending on how you're feeling and how you perceive your recovery from childbirth is going."

If you are breastfeeding, Cohen says, "it's smart to wait until the baby has weaned out of an abundance of caution regarding the potential risk of infection that could be transmitted in breast milk and the unknown effects of tattoo ink on breast milk."

Are there any risks to getting a tattoo while breastfeeding?

The biggest risk (to your health and your baby's) comes if you get an infection from the tattooing process. Because tattooing uses needles, it can – when not done with sterile techniques – pass blood-borne infections such as HIV (which can be passed on to your baby through breast milk) or hepatitis (which can theoretically transfer to your baby through breastfeeding if your nipples are cracked).

There's also a risk of allergic reaction and scar tissue forming, all of which can put more stress on your body – something you want to avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Your body changes after birth in ways that you may not anticipate, so waiting until you're comfortable in your postpartum body is probably a smart move. - Kristin Cohen, certified nurse-midwife and board-certified women's healthcare nurse practitioner

Tips for getting a tattoo while breastfeeding

You'll probably be hard-pressed to find a good tattoo artist – one who wears gloves and uses sterilized equipment – who will agree to tattoo someone who's pregnant or breastfeeding.

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"Pretty much any reputable shop won't tattoo a pregnant woman," says BabyCenter Community member TattooedBarista. And the same goes for breastfeeding moms, mostly for liability reasons. "If something does go on later in that woman's pregnancy, they can't turn around and get sued for it."

Whether you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or just considering getting a tattoo in the future, it's important to follow these tips:

• Do your research on reputable tattoo parlors and artists.
• Talk to your healthcare provider if you're not sure whether you should get a tattoo.
• If you do get a tattoo, follow all aftercare instructions, such as cleaning the area effectively.
• Be on the lookout for any signs of infection as your tattoo heals, like redness or pain, and report these symptoms to your healthcare provider. If antibiotics are recommended, be sure to tell your provider that you're breastfeeding and request a medication that's safe for nursing moms.

It's your choice, but experts say it's best not to rush into anything.

"Your body changes after birth in ways that you may not anticipate," says Cohen. "So waiting until you're comfortable in your postpartum body is probably a smart move."

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Is it safe to get a tattoo removed while breastfeeding?

Tattoo removal, which is done with a laser, is also best left until you're done breastfeeding. Since there's not much research on how it can affect nursing moms, the potential risk of ink particles entering your breast milk and harming your baby just aren't worth it.

Remember: It's always best to discuss getting a tattoo and tattoo removal with a healthcare provider who can help you make the best decision for you and your baby.

Have more questions about your changing postpartum body and what's safe when you're breastfeeding? The BabyCenter appOpens a new window has answers.