Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?

All your questions about tattoos and breastfeeding, answered—with expert input from a breastfeeding physician and a lactation consultant.

Medically reviewed by Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC

Getting a tattoo is an awesome way to express yourself, memorialize a person you love, or to mark an important occasion in your life. But tattooing is not totally risk-free, as it involves the potential for infections and allergic reactions, especially if not done hygienically or by a certified tattoo artist. Moreover, the ink used in tattooing isn't FDA approved at this time.

As such, if you're a breast- or chestfeeding parent, you may be unsure if getting a new tattoo is advisable. You might be wondering if tattooing is something you can do right now, and if so, under what circumstances? Is it best to wait till your baby is older? Is it safe to get a tattoo removed while you're a nursing parent?

Related: 12 Tattoo Ideas for Parents Inspired by Celebs

Here, we'll answer all your questions about tattoos and breastfeeding—with expert input from a breastfeeding physician and a lactation consultant.

Can You Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding or Chestfeeding?

Unfortunately, when it comes to getting a tattoo while breastfeeding, there is very little research available on the subject, which means that experts often have a tough time recommending the practice. According to LactMed, a lactation database from the National Library of Medicine, there is currently no data available specifically on the safety of getting a tattoo during breastfeeding or chestfeeding. In general, at this point, most experts lean toward cautioning against doing so, LactMed notes.

Jessica Madden, MD, IBCLC, pediatrician, neonatologist, lactation consultant, and the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps, shares this perspective, given the lack of data available. "I recommend against getting tattoos while breastfeeding due to safety risks," she says.

Kelly Kendall, RN, IBCLC, nurse and lactation consultant at The Balanced Boob, says that she's most concerned about the potential risk of infection, and somewhat less concerned about the ink from the tattoo getting into breast milk. "Risks remain in terms of infection from a blood-borne pathogen during the tattoo process," Kendall commented. As LactMed notes, when a person gets a tattoo, they are ineligible for blood donation for up to a year because of the risk of a blood-borne infection.

What Are the Risks?

The main risk of getting a tattoo while breastfeeding is of infection. If you become infected with a bacteria, virus, or other pathogen, you may pass this infection onto your breastfeeding baby—through your milk or an open cut on your skin, says Dr. Madden. Some infections of concern include HIV and hepatitis B, she says. And while the risk of infection varies, it is generally considered low.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), transmission of HIV through breastfeeding is about 1%, even when the infection is well managed through antiretroviral therapy (ART). Breastfeeding parents with hepatitis B can usually continue to nurse; however, if your nipples are cracked or bleeding, there is a greater risk of transmitting the infection to your infant.

The other concern here, says Kendall, is that if you acquire a bacterial infection after a tattoo, you may need to be put on antibiotics. "Although most antibiotics are safe when breastfeeding it is always important to discuss with your doctor and/or pharmacist," she advises.

Above all, says Kendall, if you do get a tattoo while breastfeeding, you'll need to do everything in your power to prevent infection. "Keeping a new tattoo covered and clean is an important part of preventing infection and this can prove challenging when caring for an infant," she says.

Does Tattoo Ink Affect Breast Milk?

There is no known research out there regarding the questions of whether the ink used in tattooing can get into breast milk, says Dr. Madden. However, she points to new research from 2022, which found that tattoo ink contains extremely small particles that are less than 100 nanometers. These particles are tiny enough to get into body cell membranes, which means there is a chance they could affect breast milk, Dr. Madden explains.

"Although tattooing should not affect breast milk supply, I am concerned about the theoretical risk of ink particles getting into the breast milk itself," Dr. Madden says.

How Long Should You Wait After Getting a Tattoo to Nurse?

You might be wondering if you need to wait a certain amount of time after getting a tattoo to nurse your baby. You may also want to know if you should wait until your baby is a little older to get a tattoo. According to Dr. Madden, neither of these scenarios should be under consideration, since there just really isn't enough safety information about getting a tattoo while breastfeeding to recommend the practice. "I recommend against getting a tattoo at any point while breastfeeding, even if you are nursing an older infant or toddler," Dr. Madden says.

Is Tattoo Removal While Breastfeeding Safe?

Parents may also want to know if it's safe to get a tattoo removed while breastfeeding. Tattoos are removed by laser technology, which poses some risks, explains Kendall. "Laser tattoo removal works by breaking down the ink particles which are then absorbed into the lymphatic system to be removed from the body," she says. Because there isn't enough research about whether or not these small particles pass into breastmilk, it's best to wait until your baby is weaned to get a tattoo removed, she recommends.

The Bottom Line

Getting a tattoo can be a meaningful and important experience for many people. It's no wonder that almost 30% of people get tattoos at some point in their lives. It may be frustrating to learn that because of the lack of data regarding tattoos while breastfeeding, and the potential risks involved, most experts advise against getting a new tattoo while you're a nursing parent.

Related: 37 Breastfeeding Tips Every New Parent Should Know

Of course, all parents and babies are different, and there may be healthcare providers who would recommend the practice under certain circumstances, especially if you are getting a tattoo by a certified tattoo artist in a sterile environment. You should reach out to an OB-GYN or midwife if you have any further questions. Either way, waiting until your child has stopped nursing to get a tattoo is always an option available to you.

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