We are constantly hearing stories of mums who have been shamed for breastfeeding in public, but this latest report involves a mum being completely banned from nursing her child due to a personal life choice.

 

According to reports this afternoon, a woman in Australia has been banned from breastfeeding her 11-month-old child after getting a tattoo.

 

The federal circuit court ruled that the woman’s decision to go under the needle for the inking exposed her child to an unacceptable risk of harm.

 

The case arose from concerns over the potential transmission of HIV or hepatitis B and C through the tattooing process, although the mother was able to present medical documents recording negative results on all tests.

 

 

However, Judge Matthew Myers held that the tests were not conclusive as the mother is currently in a ‘window period’ during which a positive result may yet show up.

 

Delivering the judgment, Judge Myers said: “It is the view of the court that it is not in the best interests of the child that the mother continue to breastfeed the child, and in those circumstances the court will make the order sought by the father, that is, that the mother be prevented from breastfeeding the child.”

 

Commenting on the decision, breastfeeding advocate Karleen Gribble of the University of Western Sydney said; “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.”

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