We have all seen the pictures of babies with sunless tanner on their little faces or hands when their mommas nursed them immediately after getting a spray tan or were skin to skin with their little one.
Things happen of course, but we do want to try to avoid our babies eating spray tan along with their dinner if we can help it.
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Can I Get A Spray Tan While Breastfeeding?
With a little planning, you CAN get a spray tan and breastfeed your babe without creating a viral internet photo.
If you hadn’t noticed babies are wet and messy….and we as moms:
- don’t want spray tan on our baby
- don’t want our baby on our fresh spray tan = messed up the splotchy color.
Mommas are busy and tired and sometimes are not feeling their very best with all the middle-of-the-night feedings, late nights, and early mornings. Plus, the old self-esteem can take a hit after we have a baby. Our body doesn’t feel like our own and getting a shower and shaving BOTH legs can seem like the achievement of the year.
But I am told every day that getting a little color is life-changing!
And an instant mood lifter!
Since we know spray tans have superpowers, let’s get down to the details.
How do we pull this off?
Keep reading for spray tan tips to safely get a fake tan while breastfeeding.
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- How To Get The Best Spray Tan Before Your Vacation
- The Secret to Making Your Prom Makeup POP!
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- How Boutique Clothing Models Prep For Photo Shoots
Is self-tanner safe while breastfeeding
Yes, and the La Leche League has actually written about this on their webpage!
What ingredients are in Sunless Tanning products?
Sunless tanning products whether they are at-home products or applied at the salon contain DHA which is dihydroxyacetone.
Big word.
Made from sugar cane or sugar beets.
DHA is FDA approved for cosmetic use on the skin. It creates a color change in the top layers of your skin which is temporary and safe. Other common ingredients in spray tan solution are aloe and moisturizing products along with bronzers and color guides. All of this washes away after your first shower.
What are the risks of getting a spray tan while you are breastfeeding?
The two main risks are:
- your baby eating the sunless tanning product if it is sprayed on your breasts
- transferring the self-tanner onto your baby with skin-to-skin contact
As always, I recommend body care products that are simple and organic to use on your skin and with your spray tan, but when we have a new sensitive baby wrapped up in our arms we don’t want to transfer chemicals, perfumes, or dyes onto baby’s skin.
Choosing the most natural sunless tanning and body care products becomes even more important! I always try to include organic and all-natural options for you to pick from to meet your specific needs.
PRO TIP: The products that you are washing and lotioning your baby with are also safe for your spray tan
Check out the articles below if you need help choosing a gentle spray tan-safe body care product that will also be safe for your baby.
Related Articles:
- What to Wash with Before & After Your Spray Tan
- 5 Best Lotions to Use After Your Spray Tan
- Natural body lotion that is not sticky
- 3 Tips for Shaving After Your Spray Tan
- When to book your nail appointment so you don’t ruin your spray tan
- Eyelash Extensions Or Spray Tan First
What is the best way to get a spray tan while breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding Spray tanning tips
Don’t spray the “girls” have your spray tan artist go around them. You will still need to wash your breasts off before feeding your little one, just to be safe.
Wear a bandeau type bra to cover your breasts during the spray tan. This provides a bit more coverage but still lets your shoulders remain tan line FREE for an open neckline top or dress.
Shop this Bandeau Bra on Amazon
Outfit with an open back in your wardrobe in the near future? A sticky bra can cover and still leave your back with no tan lines.
Shop this sticky nude backless bra on Amazon
Petals are also a great option for minimizing tan lines while still covering the area to keep it sunless tanner FREE for you and baby.
I also recommend keeping your skin covered up with long sleeve nursing top that provides easy access for feeding but will help to keep your baby and tan protected till you can shower.
Wearing a nursing tank to keep your middle covered keeps the baby off of your tummy.
Shop this nursing tank top on Amazon
Any combination of clothing that will keep your skin off of baby’s skin but isn’t tight will protect both of you.
This is the same advice that I give my mommas with younger children in general. Even if they are not nursing they still have wet little fingers, teething drool, tears, diaper changes, and sippy cups. All of these have the potential “get wet” factor that can transfer tan from mom, auntie, or grandma onto the little person or make an unsightly smudge mark on our spray tan.
I hope this helps you to plan how to safely get a spray tan while you are breastfeeding your baby, lift your mood and take on your week!
Photo Credit: CT Johnson Photography
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Hi, I'm Kathryn! I'm here to help you have the best spray tan experience possible. I spend my days creating beautiful sunless tans in my Northwest Ohio spray tan studio and sharing everything I know about how to get the perfect spray tan and how to build a boutique spray tan business here on my spray tan blog.