Blood in the Breast Milk: Causes, Safety, and What to Do

For first-time mothers, blood in the breast milk could be alarming, but understanding the causes and solutions for this can help you be at ease. Blood in the breast milk is usually due to minor treatable causes, such as cracked nipples, engorgement, or small blood vessel breaks in the breast tissue. In most cases, blood in breast milk is harmless for both mommy and baby, and it doesn't necessarily require stopping breastfeeding. Understanding why it happens and how to manage it provides a sense of relief and peace of mind.

What are the Possible Causes of Blood in Breast Milk?

Some first-time breastfeeding moms panic after seeing blood in their breast milk. However, finding blood in your breast milk doesn’t always indicate a serious problem. In fact, it is common in first-time breastfeeding moms. Spots of blood may appear in your pumped milk, or your baby may have a small amount of blood in the mouth after breastfeeding. Here are some possible causes of blood in breast milk:

Cracked Nipples- One of the most common causes of blood in breast milk is a cracked nipple. A poor latch causes this. The improper latch can irritate the nipple, which can lead to cracking or discomfort. The cracks will break open and bleed if you don’t stay hydrated.
Intraductal Papilloma- Intraductal Papilloma is a term describing a small, benign tumor that is growing in the lining of your milk ducts. This can cause blood to appear in breast milk. Although this sounds alarming, they are usually harmless.
Mastitis- Most moms experience breast engorgement, especially when the milk supply is changing due to the supply and demand. Engorgement can be treated with home remedies, but if left untreated, it can lead to mastitis. Mastitis is when the breasts become infected, which causes the breast to produce blood in breast milk. If you experience breast tenderness, swelling, and fever, it is best to consult your doctor.
Rusty Pipe Syndrome- Vascular engorgement or “Rusty Pipe Syndrome” is a side effect of increased blood flow to the breasts during milk production. Rusty pipe syndrome causes the breast milk to appear pink, orange, brown, or rust-colored. This usually subsides on its own.
Breast Damage- Damage to the capillaries in the breast can cause bleeding in the breast milk. Blood in breast milk can happen with rough handling, like pressing too hard during expression or massage or using a pump with too much pressure.
Diet - Foods that are rich in red can make it look like blood in your breast milk. This red color should be gone after the body has digested the food.

What to Do When You Have Blood in Breast Milk?

While the presence of blood in breast milk does not necessarily call for panic, knowing the reasons it may appear and what to do would be good. Here's what you can do:

Cracked or sore nipples: Sometimes, blood in milk can be caused by cracked or damaged nipples, which may bleed a little while breastfeeding. If this is your situation, then you need to check how you latch and consider using nipple cream to heal your nipples.
Clogged ducts or mastitis: You may notice blood in your milk if you have a plugged milk duct or even a type of breast infection called mastitis. Mastitis is usually painful in the breast, along with redness and swelling that give it a flu-like accompaniment to fever and chills. See your provider if you think you have mastitis.
Amount of blood: If you only see a streak of blood, the issue might not be serious. On the contrary, if milk looks bloodily very wet or you notice big streaks, then there ought to be a greater cause for alarm and medical attention sought.
Other causes: Milk may have blood in it due to conditions such as "intraductal papilloma." It is a benign condition in the milk ducts. Sometimes, the cause may relate to a more serious condition, but these are rare.
Seek medical attention: If the cause is still unknown, or the bleeding persists and is accompanied by fever, pain, and swelling, you need to see your doctor or lactation consultant to help diagnose the issue and provide appropriate treatment when necessary.

Things to Do when You have Blood in Breast Milk.

How to Address Blood in Colostrum?

Blood in colostrum can be scary but is very likely not a serious situation, although it does require attention. Here's how you approach this scenario:

Nipple Trauma Assessment

Cracked or sore nipples: If your nipples are cracked, bleeding may be transmitted into the colostrum through breastfeeding. This is one of the common causes and is usually self-limiting if proper nipple care is taken.
Treatment: Massage or apply breast creams and ointments such as lanolin to your sore nipples to promote healing. Alternatively, you can use a breast shell that shields your nipples from irritation. In any case, ensure your baby has a good latch.

Watch for Engorgement or Clogged Duct

Some people get a little bit of blood in the colostrum because of engorged or overfull breasts, often when milk supply is coming in rapidly, and your breasts feel like they are bursting.

Solution: Massage gently to relieve fullness or clogged ducts; make sure to continue regular breastfeeding or pumping to help milk move out easily.

Check for Other Conditions

Intraductal papilloma: A benign (non-cancerous) growth in the milk duct that may cause bleeding into the milk. Very rare but potentially can cause blood in colostrum
Solution: If the bleeding does not stop or is heavy or accompanied by other unusual lumps or signs, report to a healthcare provider for assessment

Ensure Proper Latching

Shallow latch or mispositioning: It can cause damage to the nipple, hence the risk of milk with blood contamination.
Treatment: Collaborate with a lactation consultant to get it right by your baby. The risk of bleeding-induced damage to the nipple will be very low if the baby is latching properly to the nipple.

Monitor and seek professional advice if needed

Active problems: If bleeding is not controlled, the blood smear is visible along your body, or if you even experience pain, swelling, or fever, the doctor should be consulted.
Solution: Seek a professional opinion for underlining the probability of infection or milk ductal/ tissue issues, etc.

What to do if I have Blood in Milk when Pumping?

Typically, blood in milk while pumping is caused by less serious reasons, like cracked nipples or improper pump settings. First, check if the damage is in the nipples, adjust the suction of the pump to a comfortable level, and apply nipple cream that can help moisturize and heal the damaged tissue. Use a flange that fits well, and try lowering the suction settings to avoid irritation. Any of the symptoms, such as pain, redness, or swelling, may indicate clogged ducts or mastitis. These should be treated with warm compresses and massage, and medical help should be sought if fever or flu-like symptoms appear.

Benign intraductal papilloma is another condition causing a small amount of blood. If blood persists or worsens, see a doctor. If you are not sure about the technique, or if the issue continues, talk to a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider.

Is It Safe to Feed Your Baby Breast Milk that has Blood in it?

Yes, in most cases, it is safe to feed your baby breast milk that has a small amount of blood in it. Blood in breast milk, especially if it's from cracked or sore nipples, is typically harmless to your baby. The amount of blood in the milk is usually minimal and not a concern for your baby’s health.

However, if you notice large amounts of blood or if the blood is accompanied by other symptoms like pain, swelling, or redness in your breast (which could indicate an infection like mastitis), it's a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure there are no underlying issues.

If the blood is just a small streak or a trace due to minor nipple trauma, it’s generally fine for your baby to consume. If you are concerned or the bleeding persists, contact your doctor for guidance.

Can I Continue to Breastfeed With Bleeding Nipples

Bleeding nipples are common for breastfeeding moms. And yes, you can continue breastfeeding if you can, as long as the baby is nursing well. Bleeding nipples can hurt, but they will eventually heal after a few days. If it doesn't get better after a week or you are experiencing other symptoms like pain, fever, or inflammation, you should get checked by a healthcare professional.

Tips for Pumping and Breastfeeding to Prevent Bleeding Nipples:

If you are breastfeeding or pumping, it’s common to experience discomforts like bleeding nipples, but it is important to take steps to prevent bleeding nipples. Bleeding can occur due to poor latch, improper pumping techniques, or nipple trauma. Thankfully, with some adjustments and proper care, you can minimize the risk of nipple damage and continue feeding your baby comfortably. Here are some tips to help you prevent bleeding nipples:

Ensure a good latch. Make sure the baby has a deep latch, covering both nipples and areola to avoid friction.
Breast pump: Use a low-pressure setting on your breast pump. A breast pump like Momcozy M9 is a good choice for this since it offers smart and efficient pumping. It has up to 15 suction levels under every pattern. Enjoy a more comfortable and efficient pumping experience with Momcozy Mobile Flow！

Switch between breastfeeding and pumping: Breastfeeding can be gentler on your nipples, so try to nurse frequently so you do not have to rely as much on the pump. Pump gently and just enough.
Use nipple creams: Use a soothing balm or lanolin cream after breastfeeding or pumping to keep nipples moisturized and help them heal.
Use warm compresses: Prior to pumping, place a warm compress to help promote milk flow and reduce irritation of the nipples.
Protect your nipples: Use gel pads or breast shells with a breast pump to cut down on friction and discomfort.
Moisturize: Avoid soaps containing alcohol or fragrances and instead use something like lanolin or coconut oil to keep nipples soft.
Use nipple shields: If the nipple is hurting too bad and if you’re having a hard time with the latch, consider using a nipple shield. Wearing Momcozy Silver Nursing Cups with perforation design every day will help mothers recover from cracked and sore nipples. Wearing this can also prevent further damage caused by frequent contact with clothing in the affected area.

Protect your Nipples with Momcozy Silver Nursing Cups

FAQs about Blood in Breast Milk

What is the red stuff in breast milk?

The red stuff in breast milk is usually blood, often caused by cracked nipples, intraductal papilloma (a benign duct growth), or clogged ducts/mastitis. It can also happen during the early days of breastfeeding as the milk transitions.

Why do I bleed more when I pump?

Bleeding when pumping could be to several reasons:

Increased suction
Over-pumping
Poor latch
Engorgement or clogged ducts

Is breast milk considered blood?

No, breast milk is not considered blood, but it is made from a mother’s blood.

Conclusion

While seeing blood in breast milk can understandably cause concern for first-time mothers, it is often a temporary and treatable issue. The presence of blood is most commonly linked to minor, manageable causes like cracked nipples, engorgement, or even mild vascular changes in the breast tissue. It's important to remember that, in the majority of cases, blood in breast milk is harmless for both mother and baby, and breastfeeding can usually continue without any significant risk. However, paying attention to the cause, such as ensuring a proper latch, addressing nipple trauma, or treating clogged ducts, can help prevent further issues and promote healing.

If the blood persists or is accompanied by pain, swelling, or fever, it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider for peace of mind and proper guidance. Understanding the causes and knowing how to manage them will help you feel more confident and at ease as you navigate the breastfeeding journey.