getting tattoos while breastfeeding

2011 Views 16 Replies 13 Participants Last post by tireesix, Apr 27, 2006

eastkygal

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2006

I was just curious and wondering about the risks of getting tattooed while bf. My dh is a tattoo artist, and I know the usual risks of tattooing like Hep C etc..., but dh is a really ethical and sterile artist. He wouldn't tattoo someone in a way that he knew was risky. Never. Are there any risks that deal directly with bf? Those of you with tattoos know what it is like to get the itch for another one.

It's been at least 2 years for me. I don't know if I actually would get tattooed while bf. I'm just wanting to see if anyone has, or knows of other risks. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me.

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eastkygal

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 15, 2006

still curious

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snarfywarning

· #3 · Apr 15, 2006

I have known plenty of moms that have gotten tattooed while nursing. It is perfetly fine. Here is what kellymom has to say on the subject:

http://kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...s.html#Tattoos

lunasmommy

· #4 · Apr 15, 2006

I didnt read the link above, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in...I got both of mine while bfing. Its been fine from my POV. I dont think that I would get inked while I was pg, but I didnt even think twice about it while nursing (until I saw your post). That makes me sound kinda thoughtless, but it worked for me!! I wouldnt be worried since your DH ( I assume?? does your work).

turtlemama77

· #5 · Apr 15, 2006

I got a tat when dd was around 8 months old, and did not notice any ill effects.

7kiddosmom

· #6 · Apr 15, 2006

I just recently got my 2nd tattoo. I am still nursing. The only concern would be medication you might need to take if you got an infection, which is unlikely if everything clean and sterilized.

I did have to sign a "waiver" stating that I was not PG or BF. I signed it because I had already done my research. I just didn't mention it to the artist.

Kasey

7kiddosmom

· #7 · Apr 15, 2006

I found this interesting.

Can I get a tattoo while pregnant or nursing?
It is not advisable to get a tattoo while pregnant or nursing, though it is unlikely getting a tattoo will hurt the fetus or nursing infant. The problem will be in the quality of the tattoo. While pregnant the body is working overtime and the tattoo will possibly heal harder and possibly result in a light tattoo. Additionally, while pregnant many women put on extra weight that will come off after the pregnancy. The extra weight will cause the tattoo to be distorted once the weight is lost. While nursing a woman's body produces antibodies that are to be passed to the infant. If tattooed while these extra antibodies are in the system the tattoo may heal harder and possibly result in a light tattoo. If your desire is to get the best quality tattoo I suggest that you wait until the pregnancy and nursing are completed and then get the tattoo. If you decide to go ahead and get the tattoo while pregnant or nursing please consult your tattoo friendly physician first.

http://www.malutattoo.com/FAQ.htm

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iris0110

· #8 · Apr 16, 2006

I just recently got my 8th tat. I am nursing a 4 month old. Infact, we took the baby with us to the shop. I trust the artist I use, he is very ethical and always safe and sterile. If there is any problem with tattoo quality he will touch it up for me. The only problem I have had is that I used Veet hair remover to get the hair off my legs before tatooing and now I have some very painful ingrown hairs. Nothing to do with the tattoo really, and I will never use that stuff again.

lilyka

· #9 · Apr 16, 2006

I waited until I was done nursing but since youknow the artist pretty well

I don't see that there are any risks.

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turtlemama77

· #10 · Apr 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7kiddosmom
I found this interesting.

Can I get a tattoo while pregnant or nursing?
It is not advisable to get a tattoo while pregnant or nursing, though it is unlikely getting a tattoo will hurt the fetus or nursing infant. The problem will be in the quality of the tattoo. While pregnant the body is working overtime and the tattoo will possibly heal harder and possibly result in a light tattoo. Additionally, while pregnant many women put on extra weight that will come off after the pregnancy. The extra weight will cause the tattoo to be distorted once the weight is lost. While nursing a woman's body produces antibodies that are to be passed to the infant. If tattooed while these extra antibodies are in the system the tattoo may heal harder and possibly result in a light tattoo. If your desire is to get the best quality tattoo I suggest that you wait until the pregnancy and nursing are completed and then get the tattoo. If you decide to go ahead and get the tattoo while pregnant or nursing please consult your tattoo friendly physician first.

http://www.malutattoo.com/FAQ.htm

That is interesting! My tat didn't heal as nicely as my others, and I thought it was just because I waited too long to put on lotion (I mean, I didn't think I did, but it was the only reason I could think of that it was lighter and kind of "cracky").

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mothragirl

· #11 · Apr 16, 2006

i started getting tattooed again at 5 weeks postpartum. i feel the healthiest i have been in years, i don't smoke, i barely drink, and i eat a great diet and exercise. when alice was really tiny i wore her and nursed while i got tattooed

. i researched it and don't feel that my immune system is compromised due to nursing. i go to artists that i know and trust and i know how clean they are. my tattoos heal fine and being able to take a nursing break while getting tattooed (or doing both simultaneously) is very relaxing.

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scatterbrainedmom

· #12 · Apr 16, 2006

i am SO glad to see this thread. i was talking to a girl about getting one and she sneard very rudely at me that it can get infected very easily and get in my blood stream and then my milk

.

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Lizzo

· #13 · Apr 16, 2006

I also got both my tattoos while breastfeeding, one a month ago (today!) and one in AUg when DS was 5 mons. If I hadn't been 17 untill a month and half ago, I probably would've gotten one sooner. And I plan to get more!
Both have healed beautifully and DS had fun watching and napping...and then he got really mad b/c it was time to nurse. But that was b/c this new one took like 4 hours. The first took 45 min.
I trusted the people and I will go back. Plus, it'll be a great story to tell DS!

annakiss

· #14 · Apr 16, 2006

Awesome! I had been putting getting tattooed off, but maybe I'll think again... just need to find the right one & placement.

eastkygal

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 17, 2006

Thanks for the thoughts. I wanted to get a tribute to dd on my leg. Dh already has his, and I really want mine. I still don't know if I'll get it yet. I'll let dh read the info you all passed on, and we'll decide. There are so many myths out there about tattooing it is funny to see what people who come into the shop believe about it, but I had never seen anyone who was breastfeeding come in and ask. I appreciate your help! I know my regular artist doesn't tattoo pregnant or bf women, but I wanted dh to do this one anyway. I think my other artist just has that as a rule - just in case - for bf moms. A must for pregnant moms.

The thing that I find not true in the info was weight distorting the tattoo. I was a large woman when I began getting tattooed. I have lost 80 pounds since and it did not effect the appearance of my tattoos. The only thing that might distort them is if there were stretchmarks appear through them. That's why I won't get tattooed on my stomach or breasts.

frenchie

· #16 · Apr 17, 2006

I got a tattoo while I was still bfing, and it healed just fine. I had no complications at all...but it did hurt more than usual. Not sure if it was because I was bfing, or if it was because he used a different outliner (5 needle round) than usual.

tireesix

· #17 · Apr 27, 2006

I am getting a tat on the 15th of may (breastfeeding awareness week). I am doing it for charity (have 5 already). I was a bit worried about getting it done as I am nursing my 2 year old and 5 mth old but you lot have really put my mind at ease.....

Thankyou.

Katie.

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