Getting a new tattoo or ears pierced while breastfeeding carries some risks, primarily due to the potential for infection and the body's healing process. While there's no definitive medical consensus strictly prohibiting these procedures, many medical professionals and reputable artists advise waiting.

​

Here's a breakdown of the risks:

​

Risks of Getting a Tattoo While Breastfeeding:​

​

• ​Impact on Baby: If you develop a systemic infection (one that spreads throughout your body), there's a theoretical risk of it being passed to your baby through breast milk. Even a localized infection can cause you to feel unwell, which can impact your ability to care for your baby and maintain your milk supply.

  • Antibiotics: If you need antibiotics to treat an infection, some medications may not be compatible with breastfeeding, or their effects on the baby might be unknown. This could necessitate temporarily pausing breastfeeding or choosing an alternative feeding method.

• Allergic Reaction: You could have an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, especially to certain pigments like red. This can cause swelling, itching, and rashes, which can be uncomfortable and may require medication that could potentially impact breastfeeding.

• Healing Process: Your body is already working hard to recover from childbirth and produce milk. Adding the stress of healing a new tattoo can potentially delay the healing process. Hormonal changes postpartum might also affect how your skin heals.

• Unknowns about Ink Particles: While ink molecules are generally considered too large to directly pass into breast milk during the tattooing process, newer research suggests that some chemicals in the ink might slowly break down and enter your bloodstream over months or years. The long-term effects of these particles on a baby are currently unknown, and research is ongoing.

• Practical Challenges: Caring for a new tattoo requires careful aftercare (cleaning, keeping it covered) which can be challenging when also caring for a newborn.

​

Risks of Getting Ears Pierced (or other body piercings) While Breastfeeding:

​

The risks for ear piercings are similar to tattoos, though generally less extensive due to the smaller wound size and typically less invasive procedure.

​

• Infection: This is again the primary risk. An infected piercing can lead to pain, swelling, redness, and discharge. While less likely to become systemic with a simple ear piercing, it's still a possibility.

  • Impact on Baby: As with tattoos, a systemic infection could theoretically be passed to the baby.

  • Antibiotics: If an infection requires antibiotics, the same concerns about medication compatibility with breastfeeding apply.

• Delayed Healing: Your body is expending energy on milk production and postpartum recovery, which might slow down the healing of a new piercing.

​

General Recommendations:

• Prioritize Baby and Your Health: The general advice from medical professionals and lactation consultants is to err on the side of caution and postpone tattoos and piercings until after you have finished breastfeeding. Your body has been through a lot, and its energy is best directed towards healing from childbirth and supporting your baby's nutrition.

• Consult Your Doctor: Always discuss your plans with your doctor or a lactation consultant. They can provide personalized advice based on your health history and the specific circumstances of your breastfeeding journey.

• Meticulous Aftercare: Follow all aftercare instructions diligently to minimize the risk of infection.

While many mothers successfully breastfeed with existing tattoos and piercings, getting new ones during this time adds unnecessary risks that are generally best avoided.