The summer months almost always mean some fun in the sun. I personally have always loved summer because of that nice tan I always get from being out at the pool or the ocean for hours on end. Once the summer months were past and it began to cool down, I always wanted to keep that nice glow, so I would get in the tanning bed. However, once I had children and was breastfeeding, I wondered if getting in the tanning bed or even tanning outside would be safe for me to do. Would tanning while breastfeeding dry up my milk? Would it affect my milk in any way? Would it hurt my breasts? If you’ve wondered about these also, here is some information on tanning while breastfeeding that may be helpful to you!
Tanning in a Tanning Bed
According to the International La Leche League, there is no evidence to show that using a tanning bed while breastfeeding has any affect on the breastfed baby. A tanning bed should not affect the supply of your milk nor alter the quality of your milk. I personally would not get in the tanning bed without covering my breasts simply because if they got sun burnt it may be quite painful while my little one is nursing.
Tanning bed’s have risks in general, even for those who aren’t breastfeeding, so please remember to use the tanning bed with caution and responsibly. Remember not to get in the tanning bed for prolonged periods of time. You want to stay healthy for your sweet little one, so just remember to be careful when using a tanning bed.
Tanning Outside in the Sun
Tanning outside in the sun while breastfeeding should also be fine and not affect your milk supply in any way. Remember to take the necessary precautions against sun burn and skin issues by using sunscreen while outdoors. Sunscreen is applied topically so it shouldn’t absorb into your milk. Don’t apply sunscreen to your breasts if you plan on nursing before washing it off. You don’t want your baby to get the sunscreen in his or her mouth, as it could be harmful if swallowed.
Sunless Tanning
Sunless tanning has also shown no evidence to be harmful to a nursing baby. This includes self-tanning lotions as well as spray tans and airbrush tans. It is recommended to avoid the nipples and areola when applying. Also allow the sunless tanning product to dry completely for at least an hour before nursing your baby. You may prefer to avoid the breast area completely when applying sunless tanner to prevent your baby from ingesting any of it.
As you can see, it is generally ok for you to have a tan while you are still breastfeeding. Remember to take the precautions necessary to safely tan and to keep your baby safe from ingesting any chemicals you may use to tan. Just like when using any product, be sure to keep your safety and the safety of your baby in mind. Happy tanning!
Resources: www.kellymom.com , La Leche League International
[…] of thousands of people judging her son kept her awake at night. At the time, online support group The Breastfeeding Place wrote in support of Colley: "Sunless tanning has shown no evidence to be harmful to a nursing baby. […]