Blood In Breastmilk

Finding blood in breastmilk is nothing to worry about…it’s actually very common especially in first time breastfeeding moms.

The blood cannot harm baby, the blood consumed will just pass through with baby's stools…so you can continue to breastfeed.

Mom will usually discover the blood in pumped breast milk, inside baby’s mouth after breastfeeding or in baby’s stools.

So what causes blood in breast milk?

All of the below problems usually end quickly and are not considered serious…

- Cracked broken nipples and nipple blisters can cause blood in breastmilk

- Broken capillaries ~ This is caused through your breast being hurt through rough treatment…usually when the breast is pressed too hard while hand expressing or when using a breast pump incorrectly.

- Inraductal papilloma “fibrocystic breast condition” ~ The blood occurs because of small harmless tumors in the milk ducts. These breast papilloma tumors are usually only found in one breast and cannot be felt with the hand. Papilloma breast bleeding will usually subside on its own without any treatment.

Read more here on the causes of fibrocystic breast condition

Treatment to stop blood in breastmilk

- The best thing to do is to wait it out…time will give your breasts and nipples a chance to heal themselves, but mom can continue to breastfeed during this time.

If it is too painful to continue to breastfeed mom can pump milk for a day or two to give chance for healing. Make sure you pump at least every time baby is fed to keep up your milk supply. If the bleeding continues past two weeks it's best to contact your physician or lactation consultant.

- Make sure that your pump is at a comfortable suction level and speed.

- Try being gentle with your breasts while hand expressing breast milk.

- Treat your sore or broken nipples

- Proper latching on can prevent sore cracked nipples.

- Treat engorgement

Warnings on baby drinking blood in the breast milk

- If your baby seems to have a lot of bloody diarrhea it's best to get to your doctor

- If your baby’s jaundice seems to be getting worse it's best to pump and dump until the bleeding stops.

- If you have any diseases or infections that are contagious you should stop breastfeeding until the bleeding stops…the infection can be transferred through the blood to baby. You will need to pump and dump until the bleeding stops.

Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” in connection with blood in breastmilk

- Blood in baby's stools

- Breast engorgement

- First time breastfeeding moms

- Baby biting during breastfeeding 

- Dealing with a nipple blister "bleb"

- Mastitis - Control and natural cures for mastitis

- Temporary weaning

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