b***s bleeding whilst breastfeeding?

Question

My daughter is 3 weeks old, and I've been breastfeeding fine. The last few days my right breast has become painful. I went to HV on Wednesday and she said it was all positional, but I kept trying to tell her, even when she moved her my breast was still painful. She wasn't listening. It's like an internal pain. So the pain was so bad this morning, I gave up, decided that if I gave her a bottle feed then I'd express for later. Thinking, if it was positional the express pump wouldn't hurt coz wouldn't be positioned wrong. All I can say is OUCH! ! When I pulled the pump, agonising pain. So I took it off, and tried repositioning it. Pulled the lever and still pain, and blood coming OUT not from around the nipple !

I know I'm off to Dr tomorrow, but has anyone got any idea's?

Thanks

Answer 1

I once had a cracked nipple, but I had to slightly pull my nipple "out" in order to find the crack.  

I have heard of a woman who produced blood instead of milk, but it was a friend's mother and it happened 30 odd years ago in Africa - so she couldn't tell me why it happened as the doctor had no idea why.

I encourage you to try looking underneath the nipple too for a crack.

I hope you resolve this as nursing can be difficult.  

Good luck.

Answer 2

i had pains like you when i was feeding my daughter too, but without the blood, you could have an infection, i know it sounds really stupid, but cooling your boob will help, the best and strangest ways is to put cabbage leafs in your bra for a while, it may help ease some of the pain, hope this helps for now,  also you will still need to express your milk coz an infection can be made worse by not expressing, i had milk come out my sweat gland under my arm when i had an infection with my daughter, so try expressing a little to relieve the pressure.

Answer 3

I had this problem and the health visitor was useless.  She just told me to keep trying when I was so sore and bleeding constantly.  The problem was that nobody actually told me how to breastfeed - they just let you get on with it these days.

Look in the phone book for breastfeeding clubs where you can get help. In the meantime, try using a cream with lanolin in it as this really helped me.  Ask your pharmacist.  

Answer 4

i had so much pain.. i felt it pull through my body but i never had blood (apart from when i was cut).. when i was in pain i used to soak in a warm bath and pump then, with the baby in a bouncer near me.. it eventually passed and i know feed with no problem..

gud luck

Answer 5

I wouldn't wait I would be going now that is not normal.  

Answer 6

If you have pain in a certain part of your breast and its red on the outside - very painful and if you have flu like symptoms,its possible that its 'milk fever'(mastitis)You would feel very unwell with this.If it is this the cure is to keep feeding the baby.Don't give up the breast feeding yet.....Make sure you go to your doctor to get checked out-you just might need an antibiotic.Also try a nice hot shower and massage where its really painful as if to break down a lump and move it on.

Answer 7

mastitius an infection in the milk i had it with my daughter and talk about agony! i had 2 stop 2 as it was 2 painful 2 feed, and she wasnt gettin enough milk so i swapped 2 bottles and she was fine infact much more settled .ur doc will tell u more but my advice is stop pumping as everytime u pump ur breast automatically start producing more milk so just stop ur milk will dry up and ur b***s will heal and go bk 2 normal, may take a week or 2 but it will get better. also try warm flannels and baths 2 sooth ur b***s and 4 milk 2 just flow rather thn being sukked out. hope i helped you takecare

Answer 8

It sounds like you have an infection called Mastitis. Look it up and see if your sympotoms match.

I know that its painful, but the best thing to do is to try and express the milk. The infection can be caused by not expressing.

Im sorry for your pain, but good luck and congrats on the little one.  

Answer 9

Sorry I don't have an answer for you ~ but you are doing the right thing in going to the docs. ~ hope its sorted for you