maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

So im 6 days PP and have to pump bc DD will not latch properly -- ive been pumping exclusively since day 1.

im having a huge problem with engorgement -- ill pump about 6-8oz at a sitting (could pump 16oz but dont have the time) and then have to pump again 2 hours later.

the problem is if I DONT pump every 2-3 hours I get REALLY engorged and find that the next time I pump I get a little blood/mucousy stuff in the milk -- I actually fished some out of the bottle this AM it had been about 6 hours since I pumped last bc I actually slept for more than 3 hours

is this normal or is this a sign of an infection?? i dont have a fever, boobs are not HORRIBLY painful or red - just really tender until I pump.

also - the lactation consultant and nurses at the hospital said its OK to give milk to the baby if theres a little blood, wont do any harm. would you still give it or dump it?? i dont NEED to keep it bc im producing more than enough, but I feel like it's such a waste to dump it!

Re: maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

Sounds more like you have a cracked nipple.... try leaving alittle breast milk on the nipple and let it air dry then put lanolin on it and use the nursing pad... I know that i had the same issue when i used certain nursing pads and had to find one with as much of a cottony feel as possible.. I am a big fan of the evenflo ones with lanolin built in... also make sure you change the pads often.....


as for using the bloody milk.... i never personally did because i found it was only in one of two bottles and then it healed itself... it was also always only on one side so i just tossed that sides bottle....

my only recommendation is to sterilize your pump every use (the horns) while you are having this issue... i didnt the first time and did end up with mastitis

Re: maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

Totally normal. You probably have a cracked nipple. And it's ok if the baby gets a little blood, if you think about it, if she were BFing directly from the breast she'd be swallowing it and you wouldn't even know. One time DS spit up blood and we freaked out and called the dr, it was just a spotting of it in his spit up so the dr said it was probably a little that he swallowed while he was BFing, no biggie. Put on the lansinoh cream every time you pump, it will help the skin on and around your nipples.

Re: maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

ok so heres my next question --

should I pump MORE frequently to cut down on the engorgement or will that make the bleeding worse? its such a catch22. im also afraid if I pump more frequently ill produce MORE milk which is the last thing i need

Re: maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

I am only 4 days pp - but I am a huge milk producer and I am having the same problem.

The more you pump the more your body will make. I am trying to only pump every three hours but since yesterday I notice that I can't make it that long. I am going to try to ice my boobs a little to slow down the production a little bit so I can make every three hours comfortably.

Re: maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

Re: maybe TMI - blood when pumping?

you are only 6 days PP....so don't worry too much about having too much milk. Most women do at this point. Your body doesn't know how much you need so it's in hyper-production! I would definitely try to get your baby to latch - as this will eliminate the need for pumping. They will figure it out eventually, it's nature And I agree with the a pp that don't worry about the blood in the milk b/c if the baby were nursing, they would be getting that anyway. And don't waste the milk! Freeze it if anything, you will probably need it some day! Best thing you can do is to try to get the baby to nurse from you, then your body will know how much the baby really needs and your production will regulate itself.