In a decision that has shocked breastfeeding supporters, a judge in Australia has banned a mother from breastfeeding her 11-month-old son because she got a tattoo. A court in Sydney has ruled that the woman’s decision to get it done has exposed her baby to harm.
The child’s dad raised concerns about the tattoo in an ongoing parental dispute. The ban was ordered by the Federal Court in Australia despite the mother testing negative for hepatitis and Aids/HIV.
Judge Matthew Myers said there was “still an unacceptable risk” to the baby because the tests were inconclusive.
However breastfeeding supporters are shocked. “I think if it were reasonable then we would have 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,” said Dr Karleen Gribble from the University of Western Sydney.
An appeal against the ruling is due to take place in a family court in Sydney on Friday.
What do you think? Have you breastfed and got tattooed?
Photo from rebelcircus.com
