So Im breastfeeding but I want to get a tattoo but is it bad for my baby?? I know you cant donate blood until a year after you had a tattoo.Thats why I started wandering if it would harm my baby or not.If it would I can hold off.Please only answers for my question.I dont want to hear it about how I shouldnt get a tattoo and I shouldnt put anything on my body.I dont wanna hear about how God made my body this way.God made tattoo artists too.I already have 2 tattoos and I like them.
2006-10-20 15:08:07 · 12 answers · asked by K 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Is it safe to get a tattoo while breastfeeding?
Tattoos are created by injecting ink into the dermal (second and third) layer of the skin. Tattooists use a hand-held electric machine that is fitted with solid needles coated in the ink. The needles enter the skin hundreds of times a minute to a depth of up to a few millimeters. The ink that is used in tattoos in the United States is subject to FDA regulation as cosmetics, but none are approved for injection under the skin. However, the ink molecules are too large to pass into breastmilk.
General information about tattooing also applies to breastfeeding women. Local and systemic infections are the most prevalent risks of tattooing. Local infections can occur when the recommended aftercare regimen is not followed. Aftercare includes keeping the tattoo clean with mild soap and water, not picking at the scabs and keeping the tattoo out of the sun. Tylenol is often prescribed for the pain, if needed. Systemic infections occur when universal precautions are not followed by the tattoo artist and can include such diseases as hepatitis, tetanus and HIV.
It is very important to screen the tattooist and the shop carefully, checking with the local health department for local laws and regulations. Professional tattooists will follow universal precautions such as sterilization of the tattoo machine using an autoclave, single-use inks, ink cups, gloves and needles, bagging of equipment to avoid cross contamination, and thorough hand washing with disinfectant soap. Most tattooists will not knowingly tattoo a pregnant or breastfeeding mother. It is suggested that mothers wait at least until the child's first birthday to give their bodies a chance to recover completely from childbirth before getting a tattoo.
2006-10-20 15:19:07 · answer #1 · answered by hotlikefir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The connection between tattooing and blood donation has to do more with infected needles and the connection to hepatitis or AIDs. It shouldn't be a problem while you are breastfeeding unless you want a tattoo on your breast. If that is the case, I would wait until your baby is weaned. There is a possibility of infection, of course, and because the ducts are expanded with less connective tissue between them, it might be possible to introduce some of the ink into a duct.
2006-10-20 15:11:28 · answer #2 · answered by gahrahstah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a situation where it is better to be safe than sorry. You would hate yourself if (by a slim chance) you did contact something and passed it to your baby. You may just wait it out until you are done breastfeeding...it would also give you more time to decide if the tattoo you want is really the one you want. Do you and your baby a favor and wait...what's a few weeks or months to ensure your peace of mind? By the way congrats on the new baby!!!!!!!!!!1
2006-10-20 15:44:58 · answer #3 · answered by Traci J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, i believe the chemicals from the ink are in your blood stream for quite a few months, and because of that they would also be transfered through breast milk.
While I doubt they have any major effects on your baby, its better to be safe than sick.
2006-10-20 15:21:58 · answer #4 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitley wait for the babies safety. Even with all the sterilization these days, there is still a risk of getting something. So just wait to be safe.
2006-10-20 15:30:00 · answer #5 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not the ink, it's the chance of infection. the best bet is to wait, a tattoo will be on your body your entire life; waiting until your done breast feeding in reality compared to your lifespan isn't that long :) just my opinion
2016-03-28 02:54:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do make sure that your tattoo artist uses a brand new needle and not just one thats been sterilized. You can tell a new needle because they come in bubble wrap and the sterilized ones just come in plastic wrap.
2006-10-20 15:21:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should wait. The reason being if there was any ill effects from getting it like blood poisioning or contamination. You didn't say what you were going to get or where. I'm curious ... I'm INK'D too.
2006-10-20 15:12:43 · answer #8 · answered by jewell2578 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait till you done because no matter where you get it on your boddy the chemicals in the ink can effect the milk and it could be really really bad and make the baby very sick.
2006-10-20 18:23:53 · answer #9 · answered by angel_boo_2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anytime you get a tat you risk getting an infection. If that's a risk you are willing to take for your baby then go ahead. But I don't think it is so please wait.
2006-10-20 16:18:53 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋