Tattooed mum banned from breastfeeding has ruling overturned

A NSW Family Court has overturned a judge's decision to ban a tattooed mum from breastfeeding her 11-month-old son.

Federal Circuit Judge Matthew Myers yesterday granted an injunction to stop the Sydney 20-year-old from breastfeeding because she got a tattoo last month.

Despite hepatitis and HIV tests coming back negative, Justice Myers ruled that she had exposed the child to unacceptable risk.

In an urgent appeal before the court today, Family Court judge Murray Aldridge was scathing of Justice Myers' decision.

The court heard Justice Myers came to his views on risks posed by tattoos to breastfed children by "surfing the internet" and angered breastfeeding advocates, who feared a dangerous precedent could be set.

The case, part of a bitter dispute over the boy's custody, will now be re-heard by a different judge and the mother allowed to breastfeed in the meantime.