Huh. Well, this is new. I have been breastpumping for four months, without any major medical problems. However, just now, there were a couple of drops of blood in the horn and on the tissue when I dabbed my nipple. When I looked at the nipple, I could not see from where it came, although there are a couple of red spots that could be the culprit. No blood seemed to get into the milk; it was just those couple of drops that came when I had finished pumping and was dabbing with a tissue. There is no bleeding now.
The only thing that has changed in the last two days is that I have skipped putting on the Lansinoh after every pump (although I have still been doing it after most of them) and I just switched to using the smaller diameter horns.
Does anyone have any idea what this is from or what I should do about it? Geesh, right before Christmas!!!
-R.
the only time I had bleeding while breastfeeding or pumping was because I had thrush on my breasts...but that is excruciating--no forgetting or overlooking that pain! My guess is like what others said: dry skin from the weather and the smaller horns (I actualy use a Playtex Double Embrace pump and the massaging breast shields are one-size-fits-all...kind of nice).
Hope you're feeling better now!
Hey R.! When I was first nursing/pumping I also had bleeding but it was obviously from the nipple. It looked like I was producing strawberry milk! I do think, though, that any bleeding (especially after four months) should be talked to your doctor about. Another thought...any chance your baby is an early teether and you just didn't realize it??? Good luck, S.
Hi R.,
I have been nursing while at home and pumping while at work for 7 months. I didn't use the Lansinoh after the first two weeks. I've never had anything more than some soreness. My guess is that you are sensitive and perhaps should swap back to the larger horn? Not sure, but that's what I would try. Good luck.
I had that happen a few times right after the baby is born. I wouldn't worry too much about it. It is most likely from a slightly cracked or chapped nipple-- tis the season. If you don't have hard portions to your breasts and a raging fever, then you don't have a breast infection. Just wash your nipples off if you see blood (warm water and a gentle soap), pat dry and cover with the lansinoh. It should heal up fine. Of course, if it seems to be getting worse, call your doc.
Happy Holidays! J.
Is it possible that you aren't centering the shields as well? Sort of pulling your nipple to the side a little?
I would bet you have either damaged the breast tissue when you switched to the small horns or stopping the use of lasinoh has caused small cracks to form on your nipples. Keep up the Lasinoh and switch back to the other horns. You'll heal. The blood won't hurt the baby. It just looks yucky.
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/12more_bf_myths.html#6
There is a chance that you may have a breast infection but if you don't have a fever or any other signs of infection I doubt that's the issue.
DO NOT WAIT. GO TO THE DOCTOR TODAY. IF THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN BEFORE YOU CAN SEE YOUR DOCTOR... 1. stop use of pump 2. go to the ER.
BLOOD FROM BREASTPUMPING IS NEVER NORMAL.
Joyce
The weather. As the weather gets colder and we turn on our heat, our skin drys. Your breast tissue is doing the same thing, but when you release the suction, it cracks the dry skin, causing the tinest drops of blood. Now, what to do about the milk, my pediatrician said, that since it only happnens at the end and none is getting into the milk, the milk is fine, and that the tinest amount of blood in the milk will change the color to a pink tint, if that happens, throw the milk out, otherwise it's good. Now, of course whatever is in your blood is in the milk anyway, but once it comes in contact with the outer skin, it can bring the bacteria that normally is on your skin into the milk, while it wouldn't get in on any other occasion. I used lanolin after each pumping and if it got bad, before, because it prevents the blood from getting out, just put small dabs around the areas that are red and away from the nipple. Then if you're not nursing or if you can go all night without nursing (if your baby sleeps through the night) put some heavy duty, non-scented lotion on your breast to help with the dryness, just wipe them clean before you pump/nurse. This worked wonders for me and I hope it does for you too. Merry Christmas!!
Well, first of all...Happy Holidays! Second of all, the blood that you have experienced is nothing to worry about. I had the same thing when I was breastfeeding. You are basically pumping your nipples raw. My problem was that I was pumping too often (because my milk had not come in when my daughter was born and at that time my nipples were SO RAW!) Since you switched to a smaller horn, your nipples are being squeezed into a smaller space and ESPECIALLY since you aren't using the lubricant, that's probably not a good idea. I would say the best thing to do is to start using the lubricant again. I hope this helps you out and don't fret about the blood...things will get better. :-)
