Wise Ones,



I am writing a paper for my MCH: Lactation Consulting degree (and possibly
revising for an article) about Tattooing and Tattoo Removal for
breastfeeding mothers and wanted to pick your collective minds.  There is no
research about tattooing/removal and breastfeeding (I have access to a
number of databases and JHL). I have searched the archives-not much there
either.



I have researched the aspect of the ink passing into milk and the needed
safety requirements for a safe tattoo from the infectious disease
standpoint, I have also covered the possibilities of allergic reaction to
the ink.  All point to the fact that there is no real reason a woman cannot
get a tattoo while breastfeeding, nor breastfeed with tattoos without
endangering her nursing child! Tattooist I have spoken with will not tattoo
a breastfeeding mother (no matter the age of the nursling) but it is more of
a liability/CYA reason rather than any medical reason.



What I am most perplexed about is tattoo removal.  My understanding of the
process is that the laser essentially breaks the pigment particles into even
tinier pieces that then get picked up by WBC's (neutrophils, macrophages,
mast cells) and some is picked up by the lymphatic system to be filtered.
The rest migrates up to the epidermis and is lost as part of the scabbing
process.  So, is tattoo removal in any way going to impact breastfeeding?
Could, theoretically, any of the minute particles make their way across the
cellular barrier and affect the milk/milk production?  Lawrence states that
neutrophils and macrophages are in high concentration in human milk.



Obviously mom's body will be working hard to heal this 'wound' and she
probably shouldn't be doing any tattooing or removal early post-partum...but
is there any clinical reason not to? Any thoughts at all on both
tattooing/tattoo removal that you all can think of (or would like to see
addressed) is appreciated.





Robyn Roche-Paull

LLLL & CLC

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Proud Military Wife to Stephen (10 years)

Mom to Morgan (8)

Siobhan (5)

Tiernan (18 months)

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Breastfeeding: An American Family Value




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