Breast feeding & Tattoo's

Victoria - posted on 08/26/2009

My tattoo artist wouldn't tattoo me if I was breastfeeding my first one, he said something about the ink possible affecting the milk but I can't be positive. I would just check with the doctor before doing it.

Marjorie - posted on 08/26/2009

I was really interested in this answer - not that I am about to get a tattoo but it is something that never even occured to me! Love LA Inc but have never seen a lactating Mama going in the shop on the show! FAB!!!

Melissa - posted on 08/26/2009

I got a tattoo when my daughter wa s8 weeks old,she is now 7 months old and i am still breastfeeding,Getting a tattoo for your brother can really help, I got my gran and baby sisters name tattood onto my wrist when they passed away and it helped me a lot, I just have to look at my wrist and i feel close to them.

Tessa - posted on 08/25/2009

nothing can compleatly stop the milk supply (unless its severe stress or something like that) as long as you keep on feeding baby regulary/expressing

Jocelyn - posted on 08/25/2009

nope, a tattoo will not affect your milk supply :) i've gotten tattooed while bfing (dh is a tattoo artist). the only risk involved is what Amanda already stated; infection or disease (which is a risk under normal circumstances anyways)
i do recommend that you wait until you have completely recovered from birth (about a year).

Kailean - posted on 08/25/2009

I Had A Tattoo Done When My Son Was 3 Weeks, His 4 Months Now And Im Still Breastfeeding, So It Didnt Do Anything =]

Amanda - posted on 08/25/2009

a tattoo won't STOP your milk production. if you get a very large piece it may affect your production as a lot is required of your body to endure a long tattoo session, and this will take some of the energy your body requires to produce milk. i know of many women who have had tattoos done while breastfeeding. that said however, i do work in the industry (i have been a professional body piercer for five years), and the vast majority of reputable studios will not tattoo or pierce a woman who is breastfeeding. your doctor will also (or should) tell you not to do it. the concern is not that you will stop producing milk, but that if you should happen to get an infection (or heaven forbid a bloodborne disease) you will pass it along to your baby before you even know that you are infected. remember that an infection can often go undetected for 6-8 weeks, and a bloodborne disease can go undetected for 6 months or longer!



i definately understand the need for closure, i had a portrait of my grandfather done very shortly after he passed, and it helped me deal with the loss more than i could have imagined. however in my opinion, it just isn't worth the risk. i had a large piece started (which i had to book a year and a half in advance due to how busy the artist is) a week before finding out i was pregnant. i have now been waiting over a year to have it finished (i found out i was pregnant at 5 weeks, my son is now 8 months old) as my son is still nursing.

Amanda - posted on 08/25/2009

I just got my first tattoo and have not had any problems. My daughter is also over a year as well. The tattoo shop I went to recommended waiting until a year after having a child before I got my tattoo however. I'm not sure why, probably something to do with hormones and your body still changing is my guess. I'm terribly sorry about the loss of you're brother though, I can't imagine what you must be going through. A tattoo, I think is a great way to help in remembering and honoring him.

Kate - posted on 08/25/2009

i got a tattoo for my baby's 1st birthday, he came with me and nursed and slept in the tattoo parlor- no problem with nursing at all

Moneeka - posted on 08/25/2009

Well it is not true at all. I just got a tatt on my birthday and my baby is still going strong. the only thing that will stop that milk is if he or she stop sucking regular.