Have A Tattoo is a big decision, especially when you’re breastfeeding, but it’s definitely possible to get inked safely. At tattooat.com, we provide the information and resources you need to make informed choices about body art, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience with tattoo designs, top-notch artists, and comprehensive aftercare guidance. Explore the latest trends, discover talented artists, and learn essential aftercare tips at tattooat.com.
1. Can You Get a Tattoo When Breastfeeding?
Yes, absolutely you can have a tattoo while breastfeeding, but there are some factors to consider for a safe and smooth experience. The primary concern is minimizing any potential risks to both you and your baby. According to Maria Myers, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Milk-Making Mama, having a tattoo is safe as long as the tattoo studio follows strict health and safety guidelines. You’ll want to ensure the studio adheres to proper sanitization and sterilization procedures.
However, logistics may be trickier. You’ll need to find a tattoo artist who is comfortable tattooing a breastfeeding parent. You’ll also need to ensure your baby can be fed while you are away and manage travel arrangements. While it might take more planning than before you were breastfeeding, having a tattoo is not impossible. Maria even got a half sleeve done when feeding her five-month-old daughter, and Fiona, a tattoo artist at Black Market Tattoo Parlour, got tattooed while pumping for her first child.
2. Should I Tell the Tattoo Artist That I’m Breastfeeding?
Yes, it is essential to disclose that you are breastfeeding to your tattoo artist beforehand. Fiona Lewitt from Black Market Tattoo Parlour emphasizes the importance of this conversation to ensure the artist is aware and comfortable proceeding. If you do not disclose this information beforehand, it will usually be asked on a consent form and may result in the artist declining to tattoo you if they are not comfortable and were not expecting it. This allows for an open discussion about any concerns and ensures they can take necessary precautions.
3. Will a Tattoo Artist Tattoo Me While I’m Breastfeeding?
Fiona Lewitt of Black Market Tattoo Parlour breastfeeding her baby who is in an orange onesie
It varies among artists. Some artists may hesitate due to the perceived risk of infection or potential complications, which is a valid concern. As 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 (which is very rare in a clean reputable studio and correctly following aftercare advice) there are certain ones you can’t take while breastfeeding and most will pass into the milk.”
If someone doesn’t feel confident tattooing you while you’re nursing, then they’re not the tattoo artist for you at this time. You’ll need to do your research and find a tattooist who is. Find an artist who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding and the science behind it. Like Fiona, who through feeding her own children has gained the knowledge of breastfeeding and the science behind it, is “happy to tattoo breastfeeding people as long as they meet my criteria, and that we’ve had a good chat about the potential issues and they’re happy to go ahead.” At tattooat.com, we provide a curated list of tattoo artists who are experienced and comfortable working with breastfeeding mothers.
4. Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?
Maria Myers says it’s a yes. However, you can take steps to make the experience even safer. Maria suggests conducting thorough research to ensure the tattoo studio “follows safety guidelines and takes necessary health and safety precautions” to make sure your breastfeeding tattoo is safe. This includes verifying the studio’s license, cross-contamination courses, sanitizing protocols, and use of sterile equipment.
Here are some questions to ask your artist and studio about:
- Licensure: Confirm that the studio and artist are licensed and comply with local regulations.
- Cross-Contamination and Health & Safety Courses: Ask about completed courses to prevent cross-contamination and maintain a safe environment.
- Sanitizing Stations: Ensure the presence of sanitizing stations, including sinks, antibacterial washes, and gels.
- Setup and Clean Down Process: Inquire about their setup and clean-down procedures.
- Use of Sterile Equipment: Confirm that they use fresh needles, gloves, and individual ink pots.
- Wrapping and Cleaning of Tattoo Machine: Make sure the tattoo machine is properly wrapped and cleaned.
Any reputable tattoo shop and tattoo artist will follow a strict set of guidelines to minimize cross contamination and infection. If you’re undecided on a shop or artist it’s always best to talk to them about any fears or worries you may have. At tattooat.com, we provide detailed profiles of tattoo studios, including information on their safety practices.
After your tattoo make sure to follow the aftercare guidelines given to you by your artist which should include how long to leave the cling film on and what aftercare cream you can use.
5. What Is the Main Risk With Tattooing and Breastfeeding?
The main risk is infection, both for you and potentially for your baby, although the latter is indirect. As Fiona has explained, some tattoo artists choose not to tattoo breastfeeding people as they don’t want to take the risk when another person’s welfare and their baby’s could potentially be at risk.
Maria agrees. “Many parlours will have their own regulations which may include that they don’t want to tattoo breastfeeding people,” she says. “This is their own way of protecting themselves in case you go home and have an infection and now two people (baby and yourself) are impacted in managing this complication.”
“So again the parlour choosing not to tattoo you is their right, and this would be based on precautions towards aftercare and the rare chance of a complication NOT because the tattooing process or the ink are not safe for breastfeeding people.”
6. Can Tattoo Ink Get Into My Breastmilk?
Breastfeeding charity La Leche League International explains that the tattoo ink molecules are too large to pass into your breastmilk as you’re getting tattooed. According to research from Portland State University’s Art Department, in July 2023, the molecular structure of tattoo ink prevents it from permeating breast milk.
While you’re being tattooed the tattoo ink is trapped in the top layer of the dermis. Maria agrees with the science and that tattoo ink molecules won’t cause any “harm to your child.”
However, it’s unknown whether the ink will pass into your breastmilk in the following months and years as your body slowly breaks down the ink. So it’s completely up to you if you want to get tattooed while you’re nursing or wait until your journey has ended. At tattooat.com, we offer a wealth of resources, including articles and expert opinions, to help you make informed decisions.
7. Should You Wait Until Your Baby Is a Certain Age Before Getting a Tattoo?
Maria suggests that you don’t have to wait until your baby is a specific age to get a tattoo. However you might not be able to take your baby with you when you get tattooed as many tattoo studios don’t allow children.
Also if your baby has a frequent feeding routine, as many do when they’re young, they may not give you the chance to have time away to get tattooed.
Fiona, although happy to tattoo someone who is breastfeeding, does have a few conditions, especially when it comes to the age of the baby. Talking from her own experience she recommends that:
- Parent and baby are both well
- Breastfeeding is established
- Baby can be away for parent for a few hours and can drink from a cup or bottle without struggling to get back on the breast or chest
- Baby is a minimum of 6 months old
Fiona explains that these guidelines are mainly “so the body is suitably healed after giving birth, as it takes a lot longer to heal from giving birth (particularly a C-section) than just when you feel okay or are signed off from the doctor/midwife.”
What age your baby is when you get a tattoo is your choice, however your chosen tattoo artist may have guidelines like Fiona to help keep you both safe.
8. Will the Pain Affect My Milk Supply?
On top of worrying if you can handle the pain or if your choice of placement may be really spicy, when you’re nursing your little one you may also worry about your milk supply.
Maria reassures us that the pain associated with tattoos “should not impact supply,” but the stress of getting a tattoo and “putting the body under stress can sometimes impact the flow of milk.”
Maria further explains that the amount of milk you produce or your supply shouldn’t be impacted however you may experience a slower flow than normal. She recommends warm compresses and massage to help speed up your flow after you’ve been tattooed.
Although pain is experienced differently by everyone, you may find that your pain tolerance has improved since you gave birth, like Fiona. She “found that after experiencing childbirth tattoos didn’t seem quite as painful anymore!”
9. So a Tattoo Artist Has Agreed to Tattoo You, Now What?
9.1. Think About the Size and Placement
Go big or go home right? Maybe not when it comes to your first tattoo post-birth. Fiona doesn’t recommend getting a huge tattoo while you’re breastfeeding. Mainly because “pregnancy and birth are such a change and trauma on the body it’s natural for it to react to things differently than before.
“Not to mention the changes in hormones, and the lack of sleep/energy that’s being used elsewhere (ie to make milk!) that all affects your body’s ability to heal a tattoo and your experience having it done.”
You’ll also want to think about the placement of your tattoo and your baby’s developmental stage. Are they likely to scratch, rub or hit your new tattoo? When you breastfeed will you be able to do your regular positions comfortably?. If you get your arm tattooed will you be able to carry your baby or wash them?
Pregnancy and birth causes your body to change in all kinds of ways. If you’re thinking of getting your tattoo near or even over stretch marks then read our guide for more advice.
9.2. Preparing for Your Tattoo Appointment
When it comes to the days leading up to your appointment and the day itself you’ll want to make sure you’re in the best shape you can be for your tattoo session.
“Try to get a good night’s sleep and allow for rest around having it done (as much sleep as you can with a child!). Rest is very important to your body’s healing,” Fiona says. “Eat before your tattoo and maybe take a drink and a snack with you in case you need it!”
9.3. Do I Need to Pump Before Getting Tattooed?
“You don’t need to pump or dump,” Maria says “as the particles don’t go into the milk.” If you’re having a long tattoo session Maria advises that you do pump to “avoid complications with your milk supply.”
Woman with breast pump attached under a t shirt
10. Healing Your New Tattoo
Before you get tattooed while breastfeeding you might also be wondering about how your new tattoo will heal. Whether it’ll take longer to heal than normal or what aftercare you should use.
Tattoo artist Fiona’s experience of healing a tattoo while breastfeeding was “that it took a little longer to heal than my tattoos usually do, but not everyone’s the same.” You might find that healing for you is exactly how it was before or completely different. Either way Fiona suggests that you:
“Follow the artist’s aftercare instructions as closely as you can (make sure to carve out time for this in your daily life with a baby. As difficult as self care is postpartum, it’s paramount to the healing of your tattoo that you keep it clean to avoid infection) and then try your best to keep the fresh tattoo away from grabby little baby hands!”
Make sure to keep a close eye on your tattoo for any signs of infection, either speak to your artist or doctor for advice and read our tattoo healing guide for more top tips.
11. Advice for Tattoo Artists
If you’re a tattooist who’s not sure whether to tattoo someone who is breastfeeding, Fiona advises that you “do some research and make sure you feel comfortable, but if you don’t that’s fine!”
Fiona also adds an extra clause in her consent form so that “the client understands the potential risk and is happy to proceed, and that they’ll carefully follow the aftercare instructions given.”
She also encourages artists to not “be scared, nothing is different in the skin texture in my experience.”
12. Can You Get a Tattoo When Breastfeeding?
Watch Maria’s video as she explains a little more about getting a tattoo while breastfeeding.
If you’re still unsure, Maria offers online consultations which give you the chance to talk about safe practices when breastfeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Get a Piercing While Breastfeeding?
Yes, you can get a piercing while breastfeeding. Just make sure to choose a piercer and studio that have a high standard of health and safety, as well as following any aftercare advice they give you. You could ask to see their licence, evidence of training as well as sanitation proceedings.
2. Can I Get Laser Tattoo Removal While Breastfeeding?
There’s very little research into having laser tattoo removal while breastfeeding and the increased amounts of ink released into the body during the process. Which is why breastfeeding charity La Leche League International recommends waiting “until weaning is completed before having any laser removal of tattoos done.” If you do decide to have a tattoo removed while breastfeeding you’ll need to take the same precautions with aftercare and choosing a studio as you would with a tattoo.
3. Can I Get Permanent Makeup While Breastfeeding?
Permanent make up is a form of tattooing, so yes you can get permanent makeup while breastfeeding. Whether you’re getting your eyebrows tattooed or freckle tattoos make sure to check that the shop and cosmetic artist have high levels of hygiene and follow cross contamination guidelines.
Tattoo artist Fiona had permanent makeup on her eyebrows while she was breastfeeding, although she skipped the numbing cream as she wasn’t sure if it was safe to use during breastfeeding. Which you might want to think about if you use numbing cream when getting tattooed. “It truly wasn’t bad enough to need it anyway,” like Fiona you might be able to go without it.
4. What Type of Tattoo Ink Is Safest While Breastfeeding?
While specific types of tattoo ink aren’t definitively proven safer than others, it’s generally recommended to opt for high-quality, reputable brands. Organic inks are often considered a good choice, as they typically contain fewer harmful chemicals. Vegan inks are also popular, as they avoid animal-derived ingredients. Always discuss ink options with your tattoo artist to ensure the safest choice.
5. What Aftercare Products Are Safe to Use on My New Tattoo While Breastfeeding?
When selecting aftercare products, choose those that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and specifically designed for tattoo aftercare. Products containing harsh chemicals, alcohol, or strong perfumes should be avoided. Balms and lotions with natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E are often recommended to promote healing and keep the skin moisturized. At tattooat.com, we offer a curated selection of aftercare products that are safe and effective for new tattoos.
6. How Can I Minimize the Risk of Infection When Getting a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?
Minimizing the risk of infection involves several crucial steps. First, choose a licensed and reputable tattoo studio known for its strict hygiene practices. Ensure the artist uses sterile equipment, including single-use needles and gloves. Follow the artist’s aftercare instructions diligently, keeping the tattoo clean and moisturized. Avoid touching the tattoo with unwashed hands, and be vigilant for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus.
7. Can I Use Numbing Cream Before Getting a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?
Many numbing creams contain ingredients that may not be safe for breastfeeding mothers. It’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider before using any numbing cream. If approved, choose a topical anesthetic specifically designed for tattoo procedures, and follow the product’s instructions carefully. Applying a thin layer of numbing cream can help reduce pain and discomfort during the tattooing process.
8. How Soon After Giving Birth Can I Get a Tattoo?
It’s generally recommended to wait at least a few months after giving birth before getting a tattoo. This allows your body to heal and recover from the physical stress of pregnancy and childbirth. Fiona Lewitt recommends waiting until the baby is at least 6 months old to ensure that the parent and baby are both well, breastfeeding is established, and the baby can be away from the parent for a few hours.
9. Are There Any Specific Tattoo Placements I Should Avoid While Breastfeeding?
While there are no definitive restrictions on tattoo placement, it’s wise to consider practical factors related to breastfeeding. Avoid areas that may be directly exposed to the baby’s saliva or contact during nursing. Tattoos on the breasts or nipples should be approached with caution due to the potential for irritation and infection. At tattooat.com, we offer consultations with experienced tattoo artists who can provide personalized advice on tattoo placement.
10. What Should I Do If I Suspect My Tattoo Is Infected While Breastfeeding?
If you suspect your tattoo is infected, seek medical attention promptly. Contact your healthcare provider or a dermatologist for evaluation and treatment. Early intervention can prevent the infection from spreading and minimize potential complications. Follow any prescribed antibiotics or topical treatments as directed, and continue to monitor the tattoo closely.
Transform Your Body Art Experience with Tattooat.com
Ready to have a tattoo while breastfeeding? Visit tattooat.com to explore a vast array of tattoo designs, discover talented artists in the USA, and access expert advice on safe tattooing practices. Our platform offers a curated selection of studios and artists who prioritize hygiene and safety, ensuring a worry-free experience.
- Explore Diverse Designs: Find inspiration for your next tattoo with our extensive collection of designs.
- Discover Talented Artists: Connect with skilled tattoo artists across the USA who understand the nuances of tattooing breastfeeding mothers.
- Access Expert Advice: Read in-depth articles and guides on tattoo aftercare and safety.
Whether you’re seeking your first tattoo or adding to your collection, tattooat.com is your ultimate resource for all things ink. Embrace your self-expression with confidence and peace of mind, knowing you have the support and information you need. Start your journey today and discover the art of safe and beautiful tattooing at tattooat.com.
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