You may want to celebrate your new addition with some new ink, but experts agree it’s best to wait
Tattoos are an important form of self-expression for so many people, and the itch to get some new ink doesn’t go away just because you’ve had a new baby. In fact, you might feel even more compelled to memorialize your tiny new addition. But parents quickly learn that lifestyle changes (no alcohol, different exercise, even giving up your beloved salmon sashimi) go hand in hand with pregnancy and life after baby, so where do tattoos fit into the picture? And more specifically, can you get a tattoo while breastfeeding? We spoke to three lactation consultants, a pediatrician, and a primary care doctor to find out everything you need to know before heading to the tattoo parlor.
Can you get a tattoo while breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
Generally speaking, it’s not recommended to get a tattoo while breastfeeding. Little research has been done on the effects of tattoos on breastfeeding parents, according to Ashley Georgakopoulos, IBCLC, certified lactation consultant and lactation director at Motif Medical. That being the case, many health care providers and organizations recommend waiting to get new ink until baby is at least 9-12 months old or until they finish breastfeeding.
“Most tattoo artists are unlikely to tattoo a pregnant or breastfeeding woman,” says Sheila Janakos, Healthy Horizons founder and CEO. “Their waiver for signed consent will likely ask about these conditions.”
What are the risks of getting a tattoo while breastfeeding?
Infection is one of the greatest risks. “Both local and systemic infections can occur with tattoos,” says Dr. Navya Mysore, a primary care doctor. “Local infection occurs when there is an infection at the site of the tattoo and can occur from non-sterile equipment or poor aftercare. Systemic infection can occur from contaminated equipment where infections can enter the bloodstream, such as HIV, hepatitis or tetanus.”
Aside from infection, Mysore raises concern over the possibility of having an allergic reaction, most commonly to the red inks used in tattoos. “Any kind of infection or potential allergic reaction can compromise your breast milk supply and certain medications that treat these infections are incompatible with breastfeeding.”
Additionally, the anxiety some people feel about getting a tattoo may actually affect their ability to lactate. “For some moms, just thinking about the soreness from a tattoo could impact her ability to feed,” says Nicole Peluso, IBCLC, and manager of lactation education at Aeroflow Breastpumps. This kind of stress can impair a person’s ability to “let down” their milk.
Related: 6 Breastfeeding Positions That Parents Swear By
Can tattoo ink affect your breastmilk?
According to Janakos, most experts agree that the actual ink itself is composed of molecules that are too large to enter into breast milk, though research from 2022 showed that the molecules in tattoo ink can be as tiny as 100 nanometers, which is small enough to pass through the cell membrane.
Additionally, the ink is typically made of lots of different components, some of which may contain heavy metals that could potentially pass into the bloodstream and enter the breast milk, says Janakos. Because it’s too risky to expose infants to these substances for the sake of research, the possible effects of tattoos on breast/chestfeeding aren’t studied or known.
With that in mind, Georgakopoulos says that it’s best to wait until the baby is weaned or is not 100% reliant on breastmilk to get a tattoo.
Is it less dangerous to get a tattoo when your baby is older?
Experts agree that it’s generally best to wait until your baby has weaned. In terms of the safety and well-being of the postpartum individual, Dr. Denise Scott, pediatrician and JustAnswer expert, recommends waiting at least seven to nine months before considering getting a tattoo.
“The adjustment of postpartum hormones may affect the speed at which the skin heals. Skin may heal slower when the body is prioritizing growing a baby, producing breast milk, or healing from a wound like a c-section,” explains Peluso. When the skin heals more slowly, it puts the person at a greater risk of infection as the tattooed skin is an open wound for longer.
Related: 3 Breastfeeding Snacks a Registered Dietitian Swears By
Is it safe to get a tattoo removed while breastfeeding?
Tattoo removal is most commonly done using lasers, and it typically involves multiple treatments. “During the removal process, tattoo pigment molecules are filtered through the liver. There’s no hard evidence that tattoo particles could pass to your baby through breast milk during the removal process but we cannot be 100% sure,” says Mysore. “For that reason, I would recommend holding off until you have stopped breastfeeding.”
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, both doctors and lactation experts advise against getting a tattoo while breastfeeding. You’re better off waiting until your baby has outgrown breast milk and your body has recovered from the birthing process before thinking about getting some new ink. If you have any questions, chat with your OB/GYN or midwife.
