Tattoos are not just some drawing on the body, it is a story you tell, experiences you have gained, and emotions you have lived with.
If you are an expecting or a new mother who wants to get a tattoo, read this article before taking the next step. Can you get a tattoo while breastfeeding? Is it safe for the baby? Whether it is safe for the mother herself?
Let’s look at the issues involved and provide recommendations based on current medical knowledge. Read on to know!
1. What is the Tattooing Process?
When you get a tattoo, a permanent or temporary ink, depending on your choice, is inserted into the dermis, which is the second layer of your skin.
The tattoo artist will use a tattoo machine called a tattoo gun,1 it has a needle attached to its face. The needle rapidly prickles the skin, depositing ink into the dermis. The tattoo artist will dip the needle into ink and move it over the skin’s surface.
2. Prospective Issues
Getting a tattoo is not all fun and roses, you need to know about all the issues involved before proceeding as well. Some of the issues are:
2.1) Infection to the Mother
One of the main reasons mothers may be hesitant about getting tattooed is the potential for infection.
Understand that, as discussed before, the tattoo needle pricks the skin thousands of times in minutes. This creates micro-abrasions in the epidermis for bacteria or viruses to enter the body easily.
The remedy to this problem is properly sanitized and cautious use of equipment.
2.2) Infection to the Baby
Since a baby drinks the milk of its mother, if the mother gets infected, it is obvious that the child will get infected through breast milk.
Breast milk is the primary source of infection risks to the child. The mother, currently lactating and nursing needs to clean the breast areas and hands before she feeds it.
Also, direct contact between the raw tattoo site and the baby’s mouth must be avoided. Until fully healed, the actual transmission risk is likely relatively small.
2.3) Breast Milk: Theoretical Possibilities
It remains a theory that the infant might get affected. Nonetheless, some manufacturers’ safety data sheets list certain pigment components possibly passing into breast milk. 2
So, it is preferred that the mother discard milk for a few days post-procedure as an extra precautionary measure, this is an extra layer of protection if you get tattooed. Breastfeeding tattoos 3are safe only if you take these precautionary measures.
2.4) Absorption of Tattoo Ink
Another issue is the potential absorption of the ink or pigment through the broken tissue and into the milk supply over the one to two-week healing period.
This problem is solved by modern tattoo inks specifically formulated to remain confined to the dermal layer of skin 4rather than getting into the bloodstream.
Breastmilk 5constitutes such a tiny percentage of total bodily fluids that trace levels could be clinically insignificant. Also, there is a very low chance of the ink getting absorbed by the breast tissue.6
2.5) Other Concerns
Apart from the above-mentioned concerns, your baby might also get infected by other bacteria or viruses. So, the conclusion that the new tattoo you applied is the sole cause of the situation can be wrong. Also, you might get infected by any other bacteria or virus unrelated to the tattoo.
2.6) Tattoo of Someone Other than the Mother
You might be the infant’s father, neighbour, or someone else. Directly or indirectly, you might transmit infection if your new tattoo comes in contact with the infant’s mouth or food. Similar precautions must be taken if you are close to an infant.
3. Tattoo and Care
If you have already gotten a tattoo and now overthinking your choice, don’t. Read on to know the appropriate care to undertake so that you face no repercussions.
3.1) Hygiene Practices
Tattoos while breastfeeding are one of the hygiene practices that go hand in hand. Washing hands before handling baby or pump equipment and regularly disinfecting any pumps, bottles, or parts that come in contact with the milk.
3.2) Preventing Bacteria Infections
When the recommended after-care regime is not followed, local and systemic infections will likely be caused. To avoid that, antiseptic ointment needs to be applied as directed.
This keeps the new tattoo well-protected from potential skin infection under bandage or clothing until fully recovered.
Also, it must be made sure that the mother’s well-being and her ability to continue feeding need not be seriously compromised.
She can abstain from breastfeeding during the recovery period, but after that, she must continue it to maintain the child’s overall health.
4. Tattoo Removal
Tattoo removal procedures 7involve using lasers to break down the tattoo ink particles, this triggers the immune system to gradually eliminate them.
There is also a possibility of allergic reactions or laser infections—however, the safety of tattoo removal procedures while breastfeeding has not been extensively studied.
Getting a tattoo removed is as similar as getting a new tattoo. The difference is that it takes no time to get a new tattoo. Also, the new tattoo is cheaper, and you don’t need such consultation for a new tattoo.
Getting a tattoo removed, on the other hand, is a gradual process costing more money because of laser tattoo removal.
5. The Skills of the Tattoo Artist
Breastfeeding mothers should approach professionally trained and licensed practitioners, it would be nice if you check with the local health department.
The mother must first communicate to the artist that she is breastfeeding. The tattoo artist should follow strict hygiene practices and advise the breastfeeding mother to follow the same. Even if they look unnecessary or redundant, they are suitable to be followed.
Some individuals may have allergies to certain tattoo inks. The artist should discuss the ink ingredients with the mother to ensure there are no known allergies or sensitivities that can cause a harmful reaction.
The tattoo artist must provide sufficient recommendations to the mother if she is unaware.
6. Choosing the Right Tattoo
It is important to choose the right tattoo and people often discard this as an irrelevant point, but it has a very much importance.
The results of your baby consuming the chemicals in the ink might not be visible instantaneously, but it might affect it in the future. Also, if you choose to get a large tattoo, your chances of getting an infection slightly increase compared to when you have a smaller tattoo.
Also, according to some researchers, your immune system plays a role in determining whether you will get an infection.
7. Pre Existing Tattoos
Pre-existing tattoos will not have any effect on nursing. Once the area has healed and the ink is soaked, it becomes a part of the body, the old tattoo will not affect your breastfeeding.
It is important to note that very little research has been done on the subject, and all the information available is the best practice suggested by the doctor. Anyhow, it is not necessary to consult any doctor if your body is fit.
8. Can you Donate Breast Milk if you Have Tattoos?
The Human Milk Banking Association of America says that even if you have recently applied tattoos, as long as they are used with a single-use sterile needle, it is safe to donate breast milk.
The breastfeeding mother, as well as the tattoo artist, must take necessary precautions. The milk will, anyway, be screened for safety for eight days.
9. EndNote
Getting a new tattoo does not necessarily mean giving up the bonding experience of breastfeeding. A tattoo should neither bring any distance between your relationship and your child nor hinder your daily life.
In the end, the choice is a personal one best made in consultation with one’s healthcare team.
- Sperry, K. (1991). Tattoos and tattooing part I: History and methodology. The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, 12(4), 313-319. ↩︎
- Palmeira, P., & Carneiro-Sampaio, M. (2016). Immunology of breast milk. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 62, 584-593. ↩︎
- Kluger, N. (2012). Can a mother get a tattoo during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 161(2), 234-235. ↩︎
- Yousef, H., Alhajj, M., & Sharma, S. (2017). Anatomy, skin (integument), epidermis. ↩︎
- Walker, A. (2010). Breast milk as the gold standard for protective nutrients. The Journal of pediatrics, 156(2), S3-S7. ↩︎
- Patrick Jr, C. W. (2004). Breast tissue engineering. Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng., 6, 109-130. ↩︎
- Khunger, N., Molpariya, A., & Khunger, A. (2015). Complications of tattoos and tattoo removal: stop and think before you ink. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 8(1), 30-36. ↩︎
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