Why Can’T You Get A Tattoo While Breastfeeding?
A Word from Verywell – When you have a new baby, each decision you make can feel weighty, and you might feel unsure about the best decision for you and your baby. Deciding whether or not to get a tattoo while you are breastfeeding can be confusing, especially when there is little clear guidance out there about whether or not it’s safe.
- Still, what is known about getting a tattoo while breastfeeding points to the fact that while doing it may be a low-risk activity in certain circumstances, it is not a risk-free activity;
- That’s why it’s important to discuss the prospect of getting a tattoo with a healthcare provider rather than making the decision on your own;
If you do decide to get a tattoo, make sure you take all safety precautions necessary to decrease the potential risks. Thanks for your feedback! Thank you, }, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again..
Contents
When can I get a tattoo while breastfeeding?
“Hi, Heidi! By any chance do you know how long I should wait to get a tattoo after giving birth? Will it affect my milk supply?” – Alexandria – The arrival of a new baby is definitely something worth commemorating. So it’s understandable that you’d like to mark this awesome event (and the awesome body that made it possible—yours!) with a new tattoo.
- Still, there are several reasons why you might want to think before you ink postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding;
- First, there’s a purely practical and esthetic case for postponing that tattoo;
That awesome body of yours has done some serious growth over the last nine months and will undergo some serious shrinking, too, in the months to come. Depending on where you were thinking about inking, you’ll probably be happier with the results if you postpone tattoo gratification until your body has finished transitioning back to its pre-pregnancy norm.
- Then there’s the medical case—even though it’s a “just in case” case;
- The biggest concern about getting a tattoo while you’re still recovering from pregnancy and childbirth: infection, which postpartum bodies are more susceptible to in general—especially once you consider the many other factors that can zap your new mom immune system, including sleep-deprivation, normal hormonal changes and the physical and emotional toll around-the-clock newborn care involves;
Your body has some serious healing to do, not just in the first few weeks after your baby is born, but in the months that follow. Adding the injury of a tattoo (which punctures your skin, causes some bleeding and considerable pain) could hold up your overall recovery.
- Plus (or, actually, minus), the tattoo may take longer to heal postpartum than it might otherwise;
- And do you really need an extra source of pain postpartum? Ever read the fine print on the forms you have to fill out before getting a tattoo? If you have, you know that tattoos always come with a long list of potential risks to sign off on before stepping up to that table or chair—from allergic reactions to scar tissue and bacterial skin infections to serious blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis A and C, as well as HIV;
These risks, while remote (particularly in a professional shop that follows stringent infection-control protocol and at the hands of a highly trained artist), clearly weigh more heavily when you’ve just had a baby. Not to mention, caring for a new tattoo takes a lot of time and effort—two things you’ll be in short supply of when you’re also caring for a new baby (and a tattoo that isn’t well cared for is more likely to become infected).
Consider, too, that a fresh tattoo must be kept covered and protected from rubbing—again, much harder to control when you’re always holding a squirmy baby. And finally, a new tattoo can be considered an open wound that’s vulnerable to infection—and the possibility of spreading that infection to a baby who comes into contact with it.
For breastfeeding moms, there are more potential downsides to getting inked. Though it’s probably impossible for the ink to make its way into your breast milk, the risk of infection is real and looms larger when you’re breastfeeding. Some infections can be passed to your baby, and infections require treatment that might not be breastfeeding compatible.
- Any kind of infection can also impact your breast milk supply;
- Already have a tattoo on your breast and wondering if you can safely nurse your baby? Absolutely, you can, as long as it is completely healed;
And remember that paperwork? Chances are it precludes women who just had a baby or are breastfeeding from getting a tattoo, and that’s because legitimate tattoo artists don’t want to take the risks involved, however small. Just can’t wait to commemorate? Consider holding off on that tattoo until your baby is at least 6 months old—preferably a year if you’re breastfeeding.
Your little one already has a place in your heart, if not yet on your skin. Wish I had better tattoo news to share, but I hope this helps! Hugs, Heidi From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Can ink get into breast milk while breastfeeding?
“Hi, Heidi! By any chance do you know how long I should wait to get a tattoo after giving birth? Will it affect my milk supply?” – Alexandria – The arrival of a new baby is definitely something worth commemorating. So it’s understandable that you’d like to mark this awesome event (and the awesome body that made it possible—yours!) with a new tattoo.
- Still, there are several reasons why you might want to think before you ink postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding;
- First, there’s a purely practical and esthetic case for postponing that tattoo;
That awesome body of yours has done some serious growth over the last nine months and will undergo some serious shrinking, too, in the months to come. Depending on where you were thinking about inking, you’ll probably be happier with the results if you postpone tattoo gratification until your body has finished transitioning back to its pre-pregnancy norm.
Then there’s the medical case—even though it’s a “just in case” case. The biggest concern about getting a tattoo while you’re still recovering from pregnancy and childbirth: infection, which postpartum bodies are more susceptible to in general—especially once you consider the many other factors that can zap your new mom immune system, including sleep-deprivation, normal hormonal changes and the physical and emotional toll around-the-clock newborn care involves.
Your body has some serious healing to do, not just in the first few weeks after your baby is born, but in the months that follow. Adding the injury of a tattoo (which punctures your skin, causes some bleeding and considerable pain) could hold up your overall recovery.
Plus (or, actually, minus), the tattoo may take longer to heal postpartum than it might otherwise. And do you really need an extra source of pain postpartum? Ever read the fine print on the forms you have to fill out before getting a tattoo? If you have, you know that tattoos always come with a long list of potential risks to sign off on before stepping up to that table or chair—from allergic reactions to scar tissue and bacterial skin infections to serious blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis A and C, as well as HIV.
These risks, while remote (particularly in a professional shop that follows stringent infection-control protocol and at the hands of a highly trained artist), clearly weigh more heavily when you’ve just had a baby. Not to mention, caring for a new tattoo takes a lot of time and effort—two things you’ll be in short supply of when you’re also caring for a new baby (and a tattoo that isn’t well cared for is more likely to become infected).
Consider, too, that a fresh tattoo must be kept covered and protected from rubbing—again, much harder to control when you’re always holding a squirmy baby. And finally, a new tattoo can be considered an open wound that’s vulnerable to infection—and the possibility of spreading that infection to a baby who comes into contact with it.
For breastfeeding moms, there are more potential downsides to getting inked. Though it’s probably impossible for the ink to make its way into your breast milk, the risk of infection is real and looms larger when you’re breastfeeding. Some infections can be passed to your baby, and infections require treatment that might not be breastfeeding compatible.
- Any kind of infection can also impact your breast milk supply;
- Already have a tattoo on your breast and wondering if you can safely nurse your baby? Absolutely, you can, as long as it is completely healed;
And remember that paperwork? Chances are it precludes women who just had a baby or are breastfeeding from getting a tattoo, and that’s because legitimate tattoo artists don’t want to take the risks involved, however small. Just can’t wait to commemorate? Consider holding off on that tattoo until your baby is at least 6 months old—preferably a year if you’re breastfeeding.
Your little one already has a place in your heart, if not yet on your skin. Wish I had better tattoo news to share, but I hope this helps! Hugs, Heidi From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Can you donate breast milk if you have tattoos?
Can you donate breast milk if you have tattoos? – You can donate breast milk if you have tattoos, even if they are recent, as long as they were applied with a single-use sterile needle, following the guidelines of the Human Milk Banking Association of America.
Should you get a new tattoo when you have a baby?
“Hi, Heidi! By any chance do you know how long I should wait to get a tattoo after giving birth? Will it affect my milk supply?” – Alexandria – The arrival of a new baby is definitely something worth commemorating. So it’s understandable that you’d like to mark this awesome event (and the awesome body that made it possible—yours!) with a new tattoo.
- Still, there are several reasons why you might want to think before you ink postpartum, especially if you’re breastfeeding;
- First, there’s a purely practical and esthetic case for postponing that tattoo;
That awesome body of yours has done some serious growth over the last nine months and will undergo some serious shrinking, too, in the months to come. Depending on where you were thinking about inking, you’ll probably be happier with the results if you postpone tattoo gratification until your body has finished transitioning back to its pre-pregnancy norm.
Then there’s the medical case—even though it’s a “just in case” case. The biggest concern about getting a tattoo while you’re still recovering from pregnancy and childbirth: infection, which postpartum bodies are more susceptible to in general—especially once you consider the many other factors that can zap your new mom immune system, including sleep-deprivation, normal hormonal changes and the physical and emotional toll around-the-clock newborn care involves.
Your body has some serious healing to do, not just in the first few weeks after your baby is born, but in the months that follow. Adding the injury of a tattoo (which punctures your skin, causes some bleeding and considerable pain) could hold up your overall recovery.
Plus (or, actually, minus), the tattoo may take longer to heal postpartum than it might otherwise. And do you really need an extra source of pain postpartum? Ever read the fine print on the forms you have to fill out before getting a tattoo? If you have, you know that tattoos always come with a long list of potential risks to sign off on before stepping up to that table or chair—from allergic reactions to scar tissue and bacterial skin infections to serious blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis A and C, as well as HIV.
These risks, while remote (particularly in a professional shop that follows stringent infection-control protocol and at the hands of a highly trained artist), clearly weigh more heavily when you’ve just had a baby. Not to mention, caring for a new tattoo takes a lot of time and effort—two things you’ll be in short supply of when you’re also caring for a new baby (and a tattoo that isn’t well cared for is more likely to become infected).
- Consider, too, that a fresh tattoo must be kept covered and protected from rubbing—again, much harder to control when you’re always holding a squirmy baby;
- And finally, a new tattoo can be considered an open wound that’s vulnerable to infection—and the possibility of spreading that infection to a baby who comes into contact with it;
For breastfeeding moms, there are more potential downsides to getting inked. Though it’s probably impossible for the ink to make its way into your breast milk, the risk of infection is real and looms larger when you’re breastfeeding. Some infections can be passed to your baby, and infections require treatment that might not be breastfeeding compatible.
- Any kind of infection can also impact your breast milk supply;
- Already have a tattoo on your breast and wondering if you can safely nurse your baby? Absolutely, you can, as long as it is completely healed;
And remember that paperwork? Chances are it precludes women who just had a baby or are breastfeeding from getting a tattoo, and that’s because legitimate tattoo artists don’t want to take the risks involved, however small. Just can’t wait to commemorate? Consider holding off on that tattoo until your baby is at least 6 months old—preferably a year if you’re breastfeeding.
- Your little one already has a place in your heart, if not yet on your skin;
- Wish I had better tattoo news to share, but I hope this helps! Hugs, Heidi From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting;
What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
