As a mother of a newborn, you always seek to make every little detail perfect, although things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes, nurturing moments like breastfeeding can become a challenge when you see blood in your breast milk. Although alarming at first sight, seeing blood in breast milk is actually harmless and rooted in negligence of nipple care. The appearance of blood-figured breast milk may make you worried and consider if the milk is safe for your precious one. In this article, you will learn about the common causes behind sighting blood in breast milk, what risks are involved for both the mother and the baby, and when to seek medical advice.
What causes blood to appear in breast milk?
Knowing what causes blood to appear in milk, will give you one less thing to worry about. Here are the common causes that may lead to blood showing in breast milk:
Cracked or Sore Nipples can be the main villain in commonly causing blood-tinged breast milk. Your nipples may become sore or cracked when your baby latches for breastfeeding in their early days. This skin damage is what allows some blood to flow out with the breast milk. The blood in the milk does not harm your baby but will cause you discomfort while breastfeeding. To prevent this you must ensure proper latching and do nipple care like using a nourishing nipple cream.
Broken Capillaries can be a result of cluster feeding or frequent breast milk pumping. These broken capillaries are tiny tissues in your breast that break if handled vigorously leading to blood showing in the breast milk. The good news is, this is common and does not require medical intervention, it will heal on its own. You can simply avoid this by being gentle to your breasts and using a properly functioning breast pump.
Mastitis is a painful infection on your breasts that is caused by bacteria entering your breasts through cracked nipples. The bacteria that causes this is Serratia Marcescens. Mastitis means your milk ducts have become inflamed and blocked causing blood to appear in the breast milk. The initial treatment is to continue breastfeeding as it will help clear the blockage and aid your recovery. However, if you experience symptoms like fever, chills, and intense pain, then you must seek professional advice.
Intraductal Papilloma is a small benign growth within the milk ducts that is not cancerous. These growths are generally harmless and bring about blood traces in milk. They can occasionally cause discomfort, and when they do it is best you seek a doctor for better evaluation.
“Rusty Pipe” Syndrome can be seen in your early days of breastfeeding, While your breasts prepare milk there is an increased blood flow which may leak blood hues of red or brown to rush out with the breast milk or colostrum. It’s a vascular enlargement in short. This phenomenon resembles the water flow from a rusty pipe hence the name. This syndrome, like all the above, is harmless and resolves in a handful of days.
Is it safe to continue breastfeeding?
While seeing red or brownish breast milk is unsettling and unappetizing, it is completely safe for your little one to consume. The small traces of blood that may be ingested by your child do not have any adverse effects on them. If you experience symptoms of fever, redness, and pain accompanied by blood in the breast milk, it is important to seek medical advice. If you notice persistent blood flow, taking the help of a professional will rule out any underlying causes.
Some babies may not like the flavor that blood induces in the milk and may spit the milk out over and over again. Other babies may show no signs of distaste but have darker-colored stools due to the blood-laced milk. But, if your baby shows other signs of discomfort, consult a pediatrician immediately.
Is blood appearing in your breast milk a sign?
Yes, blood appearing in your breast milk is indicative of many simple to complex things. Simple things such as having too many beets for dinner, may contribute to a pinkish shade of milk due to the natural dyes present in food. Other reasons may include a lack of attention on your nipples while latching or after breastfeeding. It is also important to be aware of the proper positions of breastfeeding. If you hesitate to continue breastfeeding, reach out to a lactation consultant. In severe and rare cases, if pain and bleeding persist it may indicate some type of breast cancer, whose initial stages are bleeding from nipples. You must stay cautious and remember to seek help.
Normal bodily infections do not influence the blood in your breast milk and are safe for nursing. On the contrary, if you have infections that are bloodborne like Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C then you must immediately stop your baby’s suckling if you notice blood-traced milk. You may continue once the bleeding stops or use bottle-feeding temporarily. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “ exposure to blood through breast milk may increase the baby’s risk of transmitting diseases that are spread through blood and body fluids, such as hepatitis and HIV”. You must be aware of what condition your health is in, as it directly affects your child even when he or she is not in your womb.
Conclusion
Becoming a mother comes with learning new things and today you have learned that finding hints of blood in your breast milk is normal. Feeding them this milk is safe as long as you are not feeling uncomfortable or until the child shows any sign of disapproval. Remember that breastfeeding has a lot of benefits that omit any potential risks in such cases. Overall, with the right care and attention nursing your child will remain a rewarding experience.in any case, remember that support is available, whether from healthcare professionals or lactation consultants, to help you navigate the challenges of breastfeeding with confidence.
