Getting a tattoo is a significant decision, especially when you’re breastfeeding. For many, tattoos are a form of self-expression, a way to reclaim their body, or to mark important life transitions. If you’re a nursing parent considering new ink, particularly if you’re thinking about “Tits Tattooed” as a way to celebrate your body, you might have questions about safety and best practices. It’s natural to wonder: Can you get a tattoo while breastfeeding? Will it affect your milk supply or your baby’s health?
This guide dives into the essential information you need to make an informed decision about getting tattooed while breastfeeding or chestfeeding. We’ll explore the real risks, dispel common myths, and provide expert advice to ensure both you and your baby stay safe and healthy throughout the process. Understanding the facts will empower you to confidently navigate your breastfeeding journey while still embracing your personal style and body autonomy, even if that includes getting your breasts or “tits tattooed”.
Is it Safe to Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?
The short answer is generally yes. Experts like Maria Myers, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Milk-Making Mama, confirm that getting a tattoo while breastfeeding is considered safe. Fiona Lewitt, a tattoo artist at Black Market Tattoo Parlour with personal breastfeeding experience, also supports this view, provided certain precautions are taken.
However, the logistics and some artists’ comfort levels might present hurdles. Some tattoo artists may hesitate to tattoo breastfeeding clients due to perceived risks, often stemming from concerns about infection and its potential impact on both the parent and baby. It’s crucial to find an artist who is knowledgeable and comfortable tattooing breastfeeding individuals.
Fiona Lewitt breastfeeding
Image: Fiona Lewitt of Black Market Tattoo Parlour breastfeeding
Open Communication with Your Tattoo Artist is Key
Transparency is essential. Always inform your tattoo artist beforehand that you are breastfeeding. Fiona Lewitt emphasizes pre-appointment communication: “Talk to the tattoo artist beforehand to make sure they understand you are breastfeeding and are happy to go ahead.” This upfront conversation allows you to gauge their comfort level and ensures they are prepared to take necessary precautions. Failing to disclose this information might lead to refusal at the appointment, especially when consent forms inquire about breastfeeding status.
Understanding Potential Risks and Artist Concerns
Some tattoo artists may decline tattooing breastfeeding clients, and their reasons are often valid and rooted in caution. The primary concern revolves around infection. While rare in reputable studios with proper aftercare, an infection requiring antibiotics could complicate breastfeeding. Certain antibiotics are contraindicated during lactation, and most will pass into breast milk.
Fiona Lewitt explains, “The main issue with tattooing a breastfeeding person is that it’s not just one person’s welfare involved. For instance if you had a tattoo which got infected and required antibiotics… there are certain ones you can’t take while breastfeeding and most will pass into the milk.” The responsibility extends beyond the tattooed individual to the nursing infant.
Another concern, though less frequent, is the possibility of a vasovagal syncope (fainting) during the tattoo process. If a breastfeeding parent were to faint and require hospitalization, it would impact their ability to care for and feed their baby. These potential scenarios lead some artists to err on the side of caution.
If an artist is hesitant, it doesn’t mean tattooing while breastfeeding is inherently unsafe, but rather reflects their risk assessment. Seek out artists, like Fiona, who are informed about breastfeeding and comfortable tattooing nursing parents after a thorough discussion of potential issues and client agreement.
Fiona breastfeeding her baby who is in an orange onesie
Image: Fiona Lewitt of Black Market Tattoo Parlour
Prioritizing Safety: Studio and Aftercare
To ensure the safest experience, meticulous research into the tattoo studio is paramount. Maria Myers stresses choosing a studio that “follows safety guidelines and takes necessary health and safety precautions.” Inquire about:
- Licensing: Confirm the studio and artist are properly licensed.
- Cross-contamination and Health & Safety Courses: Ask about completed certifications in these areas.
- Sanitization Stations: Ensure readily available sinks, antibacterial washes, and hand sanitizers.
- Setup and Clean Down Procedures: Understand their sterilization and cleaning protocols.
- Single-Use Equipment: Verify the use of fresh needles, gloves, and individual ink pots.
- Machine Hygiene: Ask about the cleaning and wrapping of tattoo machines.
Reputable studios and artists will gladly address these questions and demonstrate their commitment to hygiene. Trust your instincts; if anything feels amiss, choose another studio. Following your artist’s aftercare instructions diligently is equally crucial in preventing infection. This includes proper cleaning and moisturizing, and understanding how long to keep the initial bandage on.
Tattoo Ink and Breast Milk: Debunking Myths
A common concern is whether tattoo ink can pass into breast milk. Fortunately, the consensus among experts and breastfeeding organizations like La Leche League International is no. Tattoo ink molecules are relatively large and are deposited in the dermis, the skin layer beneath the epidermis. These molecules are too large to be absorbed into the bloodstream and subsequently into breast milk during the tattooing process itself.
Maria Myers reinforces this, stating that tattoo ink molecules “won’t cause any harm to your child.” While the immediate transfer of ink into breast milk during tattooing isn’t a concern, the long-term fate of tattoo ink is less definitively understood. Over years, the body slowly breaks down tattoo ink. Whether any breakdown products could potentially enter breast milk over extended periods is not fully known. This long-term uncertainty is a personal consideration for breastfeeding parents deciding whether to get tattooed now or wait until after weaning.
Baby’s Age and Tattoo Timing: Finding the Right Balance
There isn’t a strict age limit for a baby when a breastfeeding parent gets a tattoo. However, practical considerations and artist preferences often come into play. Tattoo studios generally don’t allow children, so arranging childcare is necessary. Also, newborns with frequent feeding demands might make it challenging to schedule and attend a tattoo appointment.
Fiona Lewitt, while tattooing breastfeeding clients, has some helpful guidelines based on her experience:
- Parent and Baby Wellness: Both should be healthy.
- Established Breastfeeding: Ensure breastfeeding is going well.
- Baby’s Comfort with Separation: The baby should be able to be separated from the parent for a few hours and accept alternative feeding methods (cup or bottle) if needed.
- Baby’s Age (Minimum 6 Months): Fiona recommends waiting until the baby is at least six months old.
Fiona explains that the six-month guideline is primarily for the breastfeeding parent’s physical recovery. “It takes a lot longer to heal from giving birth… than just when you feel okay.” This allows for more complete postpartum healing before undergoing the additional physical stress of tattooing. Ultimately, the timing is a personal decision, but considering both practical aspects and artist recommendations is wise.
Pain, Stress, and Milk Supply: What to Expect
Concerns about pain and stress impacting milk supply are common. Maria Myers reassures that tattoo pain itself “should not impact supply.” However, she notes that stress, in general, “can sometimes impact the flow of milk.” While milk production (supply) shouldn’t decrease, the milk ejection reflex (let-down) might be temporarily affected by stress, potentially leading to a slower milk flow.
Warm compresses and breast massage can help facilitate milk flow after a tattoo session. Interestingly, some parents find their pain tolerance increased post-childbirth. Fiona Lewitt shares, “after experiencing childbirth tattoos didn’t seem quite as painful anymore!” Individual pain experiences vary, but the pain of tattooing is unlikely to negatively affect milk supply, though stress management is always beneficial for breastfeeding.
Post-Tattoo Considerations: Size, Placement, and Preparation
Once you’ve found a tattoo artist and scheduled your appointment, consider practical aspects related to breastfeeding:
- Tattoo Size and Placement: Perhaps reconsider that full back piece for now. Fiona advises against large tattoos while breastfeeding, as “pregnancy and birth are such a change and trauma on the body it’s natural for it to react to things differently than before… [and] affects your body’s ability to heal a tattoo.” Smaller to medium-sized tattoos might be more manageable. Placement is also key. Think about how the tattoo location might interact with breastfeeding positions, baby’s grabby hands, and your comfort. “Tits tattooed” designs, for example, will require extra thought regarding potential sensitivity and baby contact.
- Pre-Appointment Preparation: Prioritize rest and self-care. “Try to get a good night’s sleep and allow for rest around having it done,” Fiona recommends. Eat a meal before your appointment and bring snacks and drinks. Being well-rested and nourished supports your body’s healing process.
Pumping and Tattoo Sessions: Is “Pump and Dump” Necessary?
The myth of “pump and dump” after tattooing is just that – a myth. Maria Myers clarifies, “You don’t need to pump or dump as the particles don’t go into the milk.” However, for longer tattoo sessions, pumping for comfort and to maintain milk supply is advisable. Extended periods without milk removal can lead to engorgement and potentially signal the body to reduce milk production over time.
Woman with breast pump attached under a t shirt
Image: Fiona using a breast pump
Tattoo Healing While Breastfeeding: What to Expect
Healing times can vary. Fiona Lewitt observed, “it took a little longer to heal than my tattoos usually do, but not everyone’s the same.” Hormonal shifts and the physiological demands of breastfeeding could potentially influence healing. Strict adherence to aftercare instructions becomes even more critical to prevent infection and promote optimal healing. Protect your new tattoo from curious baby hands and follow your artist’s guidance meticulously. Monitor for any signs of infection and consult your artist or a healthcare professional if concerns arise.
Advice for Tattoo Artists: Tattooing Breastfeeding Clients
For tattoo artists unsure about tattooing breastfeeding clients, Fiona Lewitt encourages education and informed consent. “Do some research and make sure you feel comfortable, but if you don’t that’s fine!” Adding a clause to consent forms acknowledging the client’s breastfeeding status and understanding of potential risks is a proactive step. Fiona reassures artists that “nothing is different in the skin texture” of breastfeeding clients, and with proper precautions, tattooing breastfeeding parents can be safely accommodated.
Can You Get a Piercing While Breastfeeding?
Similar to tattooing, getting a piercing while breastfeeding is generally considered safe, provided you choose a reputable piercer with strict hygiene practices and follow aftercare instructions diligently.
Laser Tattoo Removal and Breastfeeding: A Cautious Approach
Laser tattoo removal during breastfeeding warrants more caution. Due to limited research on the effects of increased ink particle release during laser removal while breastfeeding, La Leche League International advises waiting “until weaning is completed before having any laser removal of tattoos done.” If you opt for laser removal while breastfeeding, stringent aftercare and studio selection are crucial.
Permanent Makeup and Breastfeeding: Proceed with Hygiene in Mind
Permanent makeup, being a form of tattooing, is also generally permissible during breastfeeding. Prioritize hygiene and choose cosmetic artists and studios with high sanitation standards, whether for eyebrow tattoos or other permanent makeup procedures. Fiona Lewitt even had her eyebrows tattooed while breastfeeding, forgoing numbing cream as a precaution, demonstrating that permanent makeup is achievable during lactation with careful consideration.
By understanding the facts, communicating openly with your tattoo artist, and prioritizing safety and aftercare, you can confidently navigate the world of tattoos and breastfeeding, even if you’re considering getting your “tits tattooed” as a celebration of your body and journey.
