Can I Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding- Is It Safe?
There are many things you have to consider while breastfeeding your precious little angel. New mothers most frequently ask if can I get a tattoo while breastfeeding. Does my tattoo affect my breastfeeding?
Firstly preexisting tattoos don’t affect your baby. But getting a new tattoo during breastfeeding or removing the previous one are two different things. It’s vital to take proper precautions if you want a tattoo; otherwise, it will be best to delay the time.
Read the full article to get all information related to tattoos and permanent makeup during breastfeeding.
Tattoo while breastfeeding
Photo Credit: Robustalive.com
The correct information is always beneficial in making the right choice. Tattoos are created by using a device that contains needles coated with ink. These needles penetrate and pierce a few millimeters into your skin to create a durable design. It raises many questions about safety during breastfeeding.
Safety for getting a tattoo while breastfeeding
Many researchers have raised their concerns regarding tattoos during breastfeeding. Besides, many of these concerns are valid. During the lactation period, there are many dos and don’t that the mother has to follow for the child’s health. For example, they were taking proper rest, pre-workouts while breastfeeding, and avoiding junk food and alcoholic drinks. All of these precautions are for the health of your child. But what about the tattoos?
Unfortunately, there is very little research on this matter, and most of the available information is theoretical. That’s the main reason behind all the myths available online. Here are some crucial facts that you must know.
Risk
The tattoo process has risks; during the procedure, your skin will be poked with tiny needles coated with the skin. This ink will be deposited in your skin’s second layer, the dermal layer.
In addition, the ink used during tattooing isn’t approved by U.S FDA for tattoo purposes. Ink may contain many different materials, like chemicals and heavy metals, that are found in paints and printers.
Here is some of the following risk of getting a tattoo during breastfeeding.
- An allergic reaction to the ink chemicals
- Skin infection: The skin infection symptoms include itching, irritation, redness, and pus around the tattoo area.
- You may contract a blood infection like Hepatitis C, tetanus, HIV, and MRSA. It spreads due to the improper sterilization of the equipment.
Complications that result from the tattoo treatments
Sometimes the treatments that follow the tattoo complications are not compatible with breastfeeding. Besides, several medications aren’t allowed during the breastfeeding period. It is also possible that you may transmit HIV with milk to the baby.
Does tattoo ink affect breast milk?
The general thought regarding the ink is that the tattoo ink molecules are more significant, due to which they can’t pass to the milk. It takes months and sometimes years for the tattoo ink to break down in the body. So no evidence can clarify whether breastfeeding is safe while getting a tattoo.
Tattoo removal while breastfeeding
A laser removes the ink particle in the tattoo; your immune system distributes the ink particles in your body, later filtered by the liver. This procedure comes with the risk of scarring, blistering, and even infections.
Unfortunately, till now, there is no evidence to prove that the ink doesn’t enter your breast milk. So if you are a breastfeeding mom, we advise you to wait till your baby is fully weaned. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, your body goes through some tremendous changes. It is your healing period, and you are getting to know a new member of your family who is a part of your soul.
You may be sleep deprived and a little stressed, so adding an unnecessary struggle is not helpful. So to wait a little longer may be the wisest decision to make for you now.
Permanent makeup while breastfeeding
Permanent makeup, known as micro-pigmentation, is an application that contains many procedures like eyebrow and lip tattoos, micro-blading, and some other procedures. These procedures have gained popularity and become a trend as it is an effortless way to look beautiful and pretty all around the day.
Permanent makeup has no doubt become a cost-effective and long-lasting solution for ladies. But is it safe to get permanent makeup while breastfeeding? Even though permanent makeup is a safe procedure but we don’t recommend it during pregnancy or breastfeeding. To avoid the risks and complications of permanent makeup, we recommend that new mothers wait until they have finished breastfeeding their babies.
Permanent makeup risks
Here are some common permanent makeup complications faced by new moms.
Infection
Any procedure that involves a tattoo or cosmetic tattoo comes with a risk of disease or infection. At the same time, all tattoo artists are more conscious of sterilizing their instruments and using fresh pigment bottles in a neat and clean environment. But unfortunately, there is still a chance of infection, which occurs mainly after infection.
If you aren’t taking proper care of that area and touching your face without disinfecting your hands, then there are maximum chances of getting an infection. Early signs of infections include:
- Fever or chills
- Discharged or pus around that area
- Hardened and raised tissues
Conclusion
Getting a tattoo while breastfeeding may not be worth all the hardships and complications in this beautiful period of your life. Even if you aren’t breastfeeding, new moms, after proper consultation, gives up the idea of a tattoo for the time being. It is a crucial period of your child’s growth, and your body goes through many changes during the postpartum period. So why add an unnecessary hardship?
But if you are determined to get a tattoo make sure to go to a place where all the artists are taking care of all health standards. Try hard to keep the area clean and protect it from the sun as much as possible. To stay on the safe side, it’s vital to follow all the precautions. You can think of it as another that will be a permanent reminder of your love.
FAQs about Tattoo While Breastfeeding
Can you get micro blading done while breastfeeding?
Women should avoid micro blading during breastfeeding as it comes with some serious risks. Besides, if you get an infection after micro blading, you may pass it to your current nursing child. Similarly, many medications are restricted for a breastfeeding mother.
Why can’t you get a tattoo while breastfeeding?
The main complication of tattoos is the risk of contracting serious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis B/C. If you get an infection, there are chances that you will transfer these diseases to your baby by breast milk.
Can I breastfeed after the eyebrow tattoo?
Currently, there are no strict regulations on breastfeeding while having a tattoo. According to some experts, the tattoo ink molecules are too large to pass through your skin to your body. That means even a breast tattoo can’t affect breast milk. But unfortunately, due to the lack of evidence that can prove this, it’s better to be on the safe side.
References
https://www.verywellfamily.com/can-i-get-a-tattoo-while-breastfeeding-5195644
https://www.medela.us/breastfeeding/articles/can-you-get-a-tattoo-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding
https://www.mother.ly/parenting/baby-feeding-schedule/baby-feeding-tips/tattoos-and-breastfeeding/
https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/breastfeeding-tattoo#getting-a-tattoo
https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/tattoos-and-breastfeeding/
