Blood in Breast Milk: Is This Normal, Causes & When to Worry

Cracked nipples and infections may lead to a discharge of blood in the milk.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Arlene Dijamco, MD Dr. Arlene Dijamco Dr. Arlene DijamcoMD facebook_icontwitter_iconlinkedin_iconyoutube_iconinsta_icon Specialty: Pediatrics and Integrative MedicineExperience: 18 years
Written by
Last Updated on
Blood In Breast Milk: Is It Safe, Causes And When to Worry

Image: Shutterstock

The color of breast milk may change throughout the day, during pumping sessions, or while feeding. The appearance of blood in breast milk can be scary. But it is common and may occur for different reasons without posing a threat to the baby’s health.

Typically, the color of breast milk may vary between white, yellow, or white with a bluish tinge. The different drinks and foods consumed by the mother can influence the change in the color of breast milk (1).

You can read through this post to know about the cause behind blood in breast milk and its management.

Is Blood In Breast Milk Safe For The Baby?

The presence of small amounts of blood in breast milk is not always a cause of concern. Seeing blood in breast milk could be alarming for mothers. However, in most cases, bleeding stops without any intervention in a few days. It is usually safe to continue breastfeeding when you have a little blood discharge. However, it is recommended to consult your lactation consultant or healthcare provider to rule out any concerns.

Causes Of Blood In Breast Milk

The following conditions may lead to the discharge of blood from the breast tissues, causing blood in breast milk.

1. Damaged nipples: According to The Australian Breastfeeding Association, cracked nipples happen to be the most common cause of bleeding nipples (2). Nipples may get damaged or cracked due to various reasons, such as improper positioning of the baby. The blood from the nipples may cause small traces of blood in the pumped breast milk (3).

2. Rusty pipe syndrome: Milk ducts stretch significantly during pregnancy and immediately after delivery, causing a surge in milk-producing cells. This growth leads to extra blood flow to the breasts, and the extra blood may leak into the ducts. This may make the breast milk appear red or rusty brown. The condition lasts no more than seven days (2).

3. Broken capillaries: The small terminal blood vessels are called capillaries. Improper latching or improper use of a breast pump may cause breast trauma, causing blood from broken capillaries to leak into the breast milk.

4. Mastitis: Mastitis is the inflammation of the breasts. Cracked nipples, incorrect feeding position, and breast engorgement may lead to mastitis. Mastitis may cause blood to leak from the breasts (4). Mastitis can also be a sign of infection, especially if there is pain, swelling, redness, redness, and warmth.

5. Benign intraductal papilloma: Intraductal papillomas are benign, wart-like tumors that grow in the breasts’ milk ducts (5). They are made of the same tissue as the milk glands and receive blood supply. It may cause blood discharge in the breast milk in some cases.

6. Breast cancer: In rare cases, bleeding in breast milk might have underlying pathology, such as a carcinoma (6). Some cancers such as Paget’s disease or ductal carcinoma have been linked with bloody nipple discharge. This discharge may show in the breast milk (7).

Is Pink Breast Milk A Sign Of Blood In The Milk?

A small amount of blood discharge may show up as pink streaks in the milk. It is usually only noticed when you express or pump breast milk.

Breast milk may turn pink if the Serratia marcescens bacteria infect the mother. Infections of these bacteria are rare but could be dangerous for the baby since the bacteria are associated with a high risk of sepsis.

Antibiotic treatment is recommended for mothers with Serratia marcescens infection. Once the culture reports of the baby and the mother are negative, the mother may safely resume breastfeeding (1).

Management Of Blood In Breast Milk

Blood in breast milk stops by itself in a few days in most cases. However, if you are concerned or the bleeding persists for many days, contact your healthcare provider. Do not wait to see the doctor if you also notice other symptoms, such as breast pain, lumps in the breast, pus-like discharge from the nipple, and fever.

If you experience cracks or soreness in your nipples, work on treating them. Correcting the breastfeeding position, improving the latch, applying lanolin, and keeping nipples dry and clean, may help avoid sore nipples and treat cracked nipples faster. You may also consult a lactation consultant to know ways to improve the baby’s latch and learn best breastfeeding practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I store breast milk containing blood?

The taste of breast milk with blood may change when stored, especially in the freezer. Speak to your doctor or lactation consultant to learn if it would be safe to store breast milk containing blood.

2. Is blood in a baby’s poop a sign of blood in breast milk?

Babies who consumed breast milk with blood may have a darker stool color. However, there could be other reasons for it, and you must consult a pediatrician if your baby has blood in their stools (2).

3. Can the baby spit up blood after drinking breast milk with blood?

Swallowed blood usually does not harm the baby. But it may irritate the stomach of some babies who may vomit or spit it up later. However, there could be other reasons for it, and you must see a doctor promptly if your baby is spitting up blood (2).

A woman may be alarmed if she notices a strawberry pink color or red streaks in her pumped breast milk. The presence of blood in breast milk is more common than it appears, and if no other problems are present, it is most likely due to a benign cause. Nonetheless, speaking with your doctor to alleviate any concerns is a good idea. Continue to give your infant the priceless gift of breastmilk once your doctor approves.

Key Pointers

  • Breastfeeding is safe even when a small amount of blood is discharged in the breast milk.
  • Damaged nipples, broken capillaries, and rusty pipe syndrome are some causes of blood in breast milk.
  • In most cases, blood in the milk stops on its own; however, see a doctor if you experience fever, nipple discharge, etc.

References

1. Color of milk; La Leche League International
2. Unusual appearances of breastmilk; Australian Breastfeeding Association
3. Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples; C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
4. Deepak S. Patel, Mastitis; Family Doctor; American Academy of Family Physicians
5. Intraductal Papillomas of the Breast; American Cancer Society
6. Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs; National Breast Cancer Foundation
7. Nipple Discharge; Westmead Breast Cancer Institute
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our vibrant community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with like-minded individuals. Let our readers get your unique perspectives and do better together! Read our Comment Policy to know about the guidelines.

Dr. Arlene Dijamco
Dr. Arlene DijamcoMD
Dr. Arlene Dijamco calls herself a 'MultiDimensional MD' with 18 years of experience in integrative medicine, pediatrics, and cranial osteopathy. She studied at Harvard, Emory, and Albert Einstein and then completed Dr. Andrew Weil’s two-year integrative medicine fellowship.

Read full bio of Dr. Arlene Dijamco
Latest Articles