blood in milk!

[Nicnax]

So, my gorgeous girly Molly is now 6 days old, and I am breastfeeding. We are getting on okay- she spent the day after she was born in the NICU, after swallowing meconium, so we missed an entire days feeding. In fact, she had her first feed just aafter she was born, and then didn't get another until 10pm the next night.

After a few days struggling to get the correct latch, we're now managing that really well, and she had gained 4ozs since Monday, so she obviously is getting what she needs!

However, lastnight, we had the most terrifying experience- she started vomiting blood. I quickly asked hubby to check whether he thought it was me, but he couldn't see anything. A quick call to the maternity hospital, who assured us that it was probably my blood, bit to head to a&e. They also assured us that it was my blood, as did the midwives who came out for the 5 day check today. She had lots of tests on NICU, so I'm sure they are correct.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and how long it went on for? It's horrific seeing your newborn vomiting blood, even if you are sure it's yours!

 

[klferrin]

Where is the blood from? Did they say why it's in the milk?

 

[Nicnax]

I could have explained better- it's because my nipples are sore and cracked...

 

[Les1504]

Hi no experience myself, but a close friend went through exactly this a few months back...baby was rushed to A&E after vomiting blood and she was found to have sore and cracked nipples. She used Lansinoh over the counter nipple cream and also ended up using shields as she struggled with the pain. Keep going you are doing and amazing job and congrats on Molly's birth! X

 

[Lettie]

I had this when lo was tiny she vomited blood and we were quite concerned, cue panicked phone call to MIL who is very used to babies etc and she said it was most likely to be from me - which it was as nipples were horrendously cracked and bleeding - Nice lol. (turns out LO was tongue tied tho which probably was why latch not quite right - causing pain etc) By 2 weeks though it had stopped as nipples had recovered - doused them constantly with Lansinoh. Hope they heal up for you soon xx

 

[Nicnax]

Thanks ladies- it' reassuring to hear others have had the same. I bought some lansinoh today so hope that will heal them up for me.

 

[jcox]

Hi Hun,

This happened to me. I had tried pumping to increase the flow a little bit and noticed the milk looked a bit pink sorry if tmi!

My nipples were very sore and cracked but within a couple of days it was gone. Do you use any nipple cream? I used Lansinoh (I think that's how it's spelled?) and found if really helped things. Keep going with it though, it will get better. You're doing great!xxx

 

[Emamay]

I exclusively express.

I had blood in my milk, around the same time as you actually... Somewhere around a week anyways.
And I was already using Lansinoh, so it was from cracked nipples, but actually inside the breast. :/

Turned out it was "burst capillaries due to all the sucking action".

Apparently LO is fine to have bloody milk, as long as it's not like, all blood no milk... :/ xx

 

[babyem]

My nipples bled and LO was fine, is scary though! X

My fat fingers can't spell! x