Outrage as woman banned from breastfeeding her baby as she got a tattoo

A mother was banned from breastfeeding due to the fact she decided to get a new tattoo 4 weeks earlier.

The 11-month-old baby’s father took the case to court in the family’s native Australia where the judge decided there was ‘unacceptable risk’ to the infant following the inking.

The judge’s ruling came despite the mother’s negative HIV and hepatitis test results.

Many breastfeeding campaigners have been left outraged by the result as they feel it may discourage women from nursing their babies.

Dr Karleen Gribble from the University of Western Sydney told local news: “I think if it were reasonable then we would have very, very many women in Australia who would be quite horrified and perhaps child protection authorities should be taking action because many mothers who are breastfeeding get tattoos — very often of their children’s names.

“I think when it comes to mothers and breastfeeding, we need to consider that mothers are people, they do things.”

Rebecca Naylor from the Australian Breastfeeding Association highlighted her concern that the ruling could cause further concern with other activities deemed ‘risky’ for new mothers.

She said: “Does that mean that women who expose themselves to any sort of risks around the contraction of a blood-borne virus… shouldn’t be allowed to breastfeed?”

The association’s chief executive added: “Tattooing in and of itself, as long as it’s done in reputable way and that the infection control procedures are followed, the risk is low and so no, we would absolutely encourage women who have had tattoos to breastfeed their babies for as long as they choose to.”

The family court have now launched an appeal against the judge’s ruling.