Blood in breast milk
Breast milk looks different over time, from yellow colostrum to white,
cream or clear. Sometimes blood turns milk pink, red, or brown. Seeing blood in
breast milk is worrisome, but in most cases it looks worse than it actually is.
Knowing why it happens and the accompanying symptoms gives you a better
idea of how to respond.
What causes blood in breast milk?
There are many situations that can lead to blood in breast milk. They
range from benign problems to urgent signs of trouble. Here are some examples :
- Rusty Pipe Syndrome. Breast milk that
appears reddish brown is sometimes the result of a phenomenon called rusty pipe
syndrome.
Typically, rusty pipe syndrome occurs within the first few days of
breastfeeding. A type of breast engorgement resulting from an increase in blood
flow that accompanies an increase in milk supply. Some of this blood may seep
into colostrum or breast milk and change color. It is rarely painful and should
go away in a few days.
- Cracks in the nipples. Another common
source of blood in breast milk is nipple cracks, which can occur if a baby does
not fit well on the nipple. Sometimes problems such as a frenulum of the tongue
or thrush are to blame. Breast milk or medical lanolin can be applied to the
chapped area to speed up healing.
- Mastitis. Blood in breast
milk is just one of many symptoms associated with mastitis. Typically,
breastfeeding mothers with this condition have tender or painful breasts, as
well as swelling, swelling, or fever. Bloody discharge from the nipple can
occur with mastitis, but is more often the cause of the disease than a symptom.
- Breast cancer. Although rare,
breast cancer can sometimes cause blood to appear in breast milk. This is
usually due to nipple discharge and includes other symptoms such as breast
enlargement or swelling. These problems are often mistaken for mastitis, but
both conditions require medical attention.
What to do about blood in breast milk
How you react to blood in your breast milk may depend on the symptoms you
experience and when problems arise during breastfeeding. For example, a small
amount of blood in the first few days of breastfeeding may not require action,
especially if there are no other symptoms.
Common reactions to blood in breast milk include:
Continue breastfeeding. In most cases, it
is safe or even beneficial to continue breastfeeding if you see blood in your
breast milk. Sometimes it can be a sign of a health problem in the mother, but
is not dangerous for babies. Some mothers find that blood in breast milk causes
babies to cough more often, but this is rarely a concern.
Continue to follow the advice of your doctor and lactation consultant,
regardless of the presence of blood in your breast milk. Once you and your baby
get used to breastfeeding, the problem may go away on its own.
Wait
it out. Waiting for the blood to
disappear is the best solution when only a small amount appears in the early
days of breastfeeding. If the blood is clearly the result of a common problem,
such as engorgement or rusty pipe syndrome, it is not necessary to seek help
yet. Instead, focus on fixing the underlying problem.
Work on attachment and
positioning. If cracked nipples are causing blood in your breast milk, a better
latch on process can solve the problem. To begin with, try different positions
until you find one that is comfortable for you and your child. Whichever
position you prefer, your baby's head and spine should be perfectly aligned.
Before applying, the mouth should open wide, while the chin should touch the
chest as much as possible.
If you're still having trouble latch-on, make an appointment with a
lactation consultant. Mention that you have noticed blood in your breast milk.
You should receive targeted counseling as well as follow-up to make sure you
are safe and that your breastfeeding efforts are on track.
Ask your doctor. If you're concerned
that blood in your breast milk could indicate mastitis, cancer, or another
serious problem, see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have cancer, you
may also find lumps in your breasts that are not related to blocked milk ducts
or mastitis.
When you see your doctor, he will ask you questions about your medical history and current breastfeeding practices. If your doctor suspects cancer, you may have a breast exam, mammogram, or ultrasound. An official diagnosis can only be made after a biopsy.