I've gotten several hits from searches about tattoos while nursing, and I've also had many people ask me personally if it is safe to be inked while breastfeeding, so I thought I would post some helpful links. I researched thoroughly before I decided to go ahead with it, just in case anyone reading was wondering about that. And yes, my artist knows I am breastfeeding. ;)

Ultimately it is a personal decision and I know both moms who waited until they were done nursing and also those, like me, who felt safe having it done with a nursling still at home. Hopefully this info will help anyone who still may be on the fence about it.

KellyMom: Tattoos

"There is no evidence that getting a tattoo will affect breastfeeding. There should be no harm to mom or baby from the dyes injected. If you get a tattoo, the biggest concern for anyone (not just nursing moms) is infection (hepatitis or HIV)-- so make sure the place you go has good references and is clean."

La Leche League FAQ on Tattoos and 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."

What do we think? I was a little disappointed to see that she hadn't drawn anything new, but now it's much more special that it's the actual original drawing I did myself and I adore the end result. I love the shading and leaves she added (I decided I didn't want the tree to be dead, LOL). Click here to see it larger. It took about an hour and a half, not too bad. I already made an appointment November 30th to do Beckett's. I was planning to put his on my chest but now I'm leaning towards putting it under the tree and starting a sleeve.

SILENCE. Finally. Both boys are asleep and I'm sitting on my duff doing absolutely nothing because I'm too scared I'll make noise and wake them up. Today must be Crab Day because both boys are whinier than a grown man with a hangnail. They're still fighting their colds and I got a peek into Beckett's mouth earlier and it looks like tooth #7 has made its debut. I'm hoping #8 follows quickly behind so we can be done with this teething business for awhile.

As for Sawyer, who knew starting the wrong Dora episode was grounds for a toddler-induced F5 tornado. 'Nuff said.

So instead of cleaning the house like I should be, I'm putzing around on Flickr looking at tattoos. Because does anyone remember what tonight is? Sawyer's Tree! I'm getting pumped. And after the day I've had, it will definitely be a good hurt under the needle and AWAY from the house for a few hours.

Umm, yeah, Beckett just woke up. Already. So I'm cutting this short, but I have to share these:

Food tattoos. They intrique me. Especially the cupcakes. Seriously, how cute are those?!


1. Yummy, 2. fruit, 3. keep sweet, 4. lucky cat w/ sushi, 5. corn, 6. P1010022, 7. Cherry Tattoo, 8. cupcake, 9. Candy Apple
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

And my new obsession: sewing tattoos! I've been trying to get ideas for my quilt tattoo and I found these.


1. sewing machine tattoo, 2. pincushion tattoo, 3. my sewing machine tattoo, 4. my new tattoo, done by Julian at Rising Sun, 5. sewing machine, 6. Picture 267, 7. blue sewing machine?!, 8. stork scissors!, 9. thread and needle
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

This is my 50th post! I know, impressive, right?

I met with my tattoo artist tonight and the date is set -- October 26th at 7pm, I'll be getting Sawyer's tree. I told her what changes and improvements I wanted made to my sketch so it will be exciting to see what she comes up with. Of course, I'm the most impatient person in the world and will go nothing short of crazy waiting. But what's two more weeks to have it for the rest of my life, right?

We also met with our new family doctor for the first time today for Beckett's 6-month check-up. Chunky weighs 22 pounds and is 30 inches long. This milk bar apparently produces soft serve. Chocolate and swirl.

I'm attempting to actually go to bed at a decent hour tonight, so I can't stew over this blog post for two hours like I normally do. So here's what we had for dinner tonight. Sinfully bad for you but too good for me to care!

Cheesy Volcano Meatballs

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 24 min
Makes: 4 servings, one sandwich each

1 lb. lean ground beef
6 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed
1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
3/4 cup spaghetti sauce, divided
12 KRAFT Cheddar Cheese Cubes
4 hot dog buns, partially split

PREHEAT oven to 400ºF. Mix meat, cracker crumbs, Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce in medium bowl. Shape into twelve meatballs, using about 2 Tbsp. meat mixture for each.

PLACE, 2 inches apart, in shallow baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Press 1 cheese cube deeply into center of each meatball.

BAKE 14 min. or until meatballs are cooked through (160ºF). Meanwhile, microwave remaining 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec. or until heated through (adult assisted).

SPOON sauce evenly into buns. Fill each with three meatballs.

We also did the Bacon, Cheese and Potato Chowder. Not quite as sinful and very very yummy.

I'm getting the itch for more ink. I'm calling the artist tomorrow to schedule a time to go in and talk to her about my design. I'm planning to do my tree tattoo for Sawyer next. I drew up a rough sketch tonight that I'm somewhat happy with, but I'm hoping she can add her own touch to it to make it ten times better. It needs shading and more depth.

If you look closely, you can see Sawyer's name in the roots. I'm not sure if I really like the placement of it, but I know I want his name in there somewhere.

This will be on my upper arm/shoulder, with the trunk and roots on my bicep and the branches cascading up and over my shoulder.