Can You Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?

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Becoming a mother and breastfeeding your child can be one of the most beautiful things in the world.

But as you may already know, breastfeeding mothers need to avoid certain foods and drinks that can put their babies at risk.

For instance, mothers who breastfeed should avoid eating sushi, deli meat, runny eggs, or rare steaks.

It’s not that these foods are inherently harmful to the mother or child.

It’s just that eating them poses a greater risk of contracting salmonella, listeria or other illnesses than when eating fully-cooked foods.

But what’s the deal with getting tattoos and breastfeeding?

Is it safe? Are there any dangers that breastfeeding moms should know about?

Below, we’ll answer all that and more!

Is It Safe To Get A Tattoo While Breastfeeding?

While there’s no real evidence to suggest that getting tattooed is harmful to the breastfeeding mother or child, it’s generally suggested that new mothers avoid getting a tattoo if they are breastfeeding.

It’s the same story as eating sushi or deli meat.

Just because you eat these foods, it doesn’t mean that you’re automatically going to contract food poisoning.

But there is a higher risk of getting sick, which can then contaminate the breastmilk or mess with your supply.

And the same goes for getting a tattoo and breastfeeding.

Just because you get tattooed while breastfeeding, it doesn’t mean that you’re new body art is going to get infected and contaminate your body’s breast milk.

But there is a higher chance of it happening.

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Local And Systemic Infections

The primary concern with getting a tattoo while breastfeeding is that there’s always a risk of contracting bloodborne illnesses, such as Hepatitis B or C, HIV, and staph infections.

Once these viruses are contracted by the breastfeeding mother, their breastmilk supply is likely to become contaminated and unsuitable to give to their child.

It can also mess with their milk supply, reducing the amount of milk they are capable of producing for their baby.

On the other hand, the risk of infection can be reduced by choosing licensed and reputable tattoo artists, who keep their shops clean, their tattoo equipment properly sterilized, and who follow all other local laws.

Breastfeeding mothers can also reduce the risk of contracting Hepatitis by getting vaccinated against the illness before getting tattooed.

But the risk of cross-contamination, getting sick and potentially ruining your breast milk supply will never be zero.

So for your own health and the health of your child, it’s best to simply avoid the temptation of getting that next tattoo if you’re breastfeeding.

Tattoo Ink Particle Migration

Another concern with breastfeeding and tattoos is that ink molecules can migrate from your skin into your bloodstream.

And just like the way alcohol gets into your blood when you drink and can affect your breast milk, there is a risk that your breast milk could be contaminated by ink particles.

The problem with this is that tattoo pigments can be made from all sorts of organic and inorganic compounds that may be dangerous to a newborn baby’s health.

For example, many red inks are made using cinnabar or mercury-based compounds, which are highly toxic and already pose a serious risk of causing an immune system response.

So essentially, mothers who knowingly tattoo their bodies while breastfeeding may be exposing their children to any number of toxic ink compounds.

Allergic Reactions

It’s also quite possible to have an allergic reaction to a tattoo, which is yet another good reason to avoid getting inked while breastfeeding.

Most tattoo artists take precautions against using any allergens in their studies.

But it is still possible for breastfeeding mothers to have allergic reactions to the ink pigments used, or even to any of the other products their tattoo artist might use while doing the tattoo.

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While there’s virtually no risk of passing that allergic reaction on to the baby, the risk is that you can shock your body’s immune system and cause a reduction in your breast milk supply, which could mean no more milk for the baby.

Stress Hormones And Breast Milk

Babies are extremely sensitive to what they ingest, and almost anything the mother eats or puts into her body will get passed onto the baby through the milk.

Even something as safe to eat as cabbage can be bad for mothers to eat while breastfeeding and can cause gassiness and stomach upset for breastfed babies.

When you get a tattoo, the process and recovery can put a serious strain on your system causing it to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline into your bloodstream.

And just like with cabbage, those stress hormones can be passed to the child when they feed from the mother’s breasts.

Other Risks Of Tattoos While Breastfeeding

One other problem with tattoos and breastfeeding is that it can be challenging to follow proper aftercare instructions when you have to prioritize the child’s feeding schedule.

Therefore, breastfeeding mothers are at a greater risk of developing tattoo skin infections or other types of local infections, which can ruin their brand-new body art.

Now obviously, the items we’ve listed today are only risks, and do not necessarily mean that getting a tattoo is inherently dangerous or harmful to your child if you breastfeed.

But the fact is that there’s very little research in existence about the risks associated with tattooing and breastfeeding.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoos While Breastfeeding

If you’re breastfeeding and thinking about getting a cool new arm tattoo to commemorate your new child, we strongly encourage you to follow universal precautions and take the risks we’ve discussed here today into careful consideration.

It’s also a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional before going through with it.

After all, risks are risks, and there’s no need to put yourself or your child at an unnecessary risk of harm.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the other common questions we see about getting inked while breastfeeding.

How long do you have to wait to breastfeed after getting a tattoo?

It’s generally recommended that you do not get a tattoo while breastfeeding, period. But if you’re going to do it anyway, some research suggests that you should wait at least 3 months, which is the typical incubation period for most illnesses that can be contracted from tattoos and tattoo ink. In other words, your breast milk supply should be safe to give to your child after three months from the time you get a tattoo.

How can I reduce the risks associated with getting a tattoo while breastfeeding?

Since the main concern with getting inked and breastfeeding is contracting viruses like Hepatitis, you can mostly eliminate that risk by getting vaccinated against it. Otherwise, you can also opt to choose licensed and reputable tattoo artists who are more likely to use sterile needles and adhere to safe tattooing processes. And lastly, if you want to get a tattoo, you can also opt to switch to formula-feeding your child while your tattoo heals.

Can I undergo tattoo removal while breastfeeding?

Yes, most lactation specialists agree that it’s safe to undergo laser tattoo removal to get a tattoo removed while breastfeeding. However, just like getting inked while breastfeeding, there are still some risks involved in laser removal. And there’s really not all that much research available to support either the safety or danger of having your tattoo removed while breastfeeding.

Can I donate breast milk if I’ve recently gotten a tattoo?

According to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, yes, breast milk from tattooed mothers is generally accepted at most donation centers. In some cases, however, they may ask about your recent tattoos, who your tattoo artist was, and whether or not you got your new tattoo at a state-licensed tattoo studio to help determine donation eligibility.

Can I get a tattoo while pregnant?

Whether you want a new cool leg tattoo, a spine tattoo, or permanent makeup to keep you looking your best as a new mom, it’s best to wait until after giving birth to your new baby boy or girl. In the meantime, temporary tattoos can look just as cool and are safe to use until your child is completely weaned off your breast milk.

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