Brown and bloody vomit :(

[mildred37]

Well. Last night was one of the scariest few hours of my life. Around 8.15pm I was changing DS1's nappy (hes 6 weeks old) when he posseted a small amount of chocolate brown liquid. When I looked at the cloth it went onto, there were some bright red flecks in it. Called 111, who gave us an appointment with OOH GP at 10.30pm. He was very unsettled after this, couldn't do anything to console him - tried cuddles, dummy, bath - and eventually fed him (BF) after which he calmed down. About 10 mins after his feed, he vomited a large amount of what looked like coffee coloured liquid with huge chunks of red blood in it :( I called back 111 and told them to cancel the appointment as I was taking him to A&E.

We were seen so quickly and they were so lovely. Have him a full head to toe exam and checked everything over. Kept asking if I had any sores or cracked nipples - I don't. But it turns out I do - internally. Turns out I must have had a blockage somewhere which has been dislodged - hence the brown old blood, and it has unblocked and brought some fresh blood through with it. The Dr said blood can't be digested and that's why it's coming back up.

So after all that, we came home and gave him some formula (luckily had some cartons as he has 1 bottle of it before bed) and guess what - no brown/bloody sick at all afterwards. :(

I've just woken up and given him another FF and he's absolutely fine. I however feel like the shittiest mum in the world. I love BF my son, it's our time together and I really don't want this to be it. Has anyone else had this happen and they've managed to carry on BF after they have healed? I'm on a mission to get a pump today so I can still express (boobs are already rock hard and sore!) and I have my nipple cream I'll keep using. The Dr couldn't really tell me how long it would take to heal, or before I would be able to BF him again.

[mildred37]

Wow that's long....

[thoughtsbecomethings]

No advice but how scary for you x

[CakesAreNotTheAnswer]

Might be worth trying the National Breastfeeding Helpline
0300 100 0212

Poor you.

[mildred37]

Thank you cakes. Will wait til a more reasonable hour and give them a call.

[Sleepyfergus]

Can't help but glad everything is okay with your ds, must have been scary.

I came on to recommend the avent manual pump. I had a TT electric one and it was crap compared to the hand pump. Gots loads out quickly and it's not a chore as I imagined. Also easy to use anywhere and not half as noisy as the electric one, and v simple to put together. Good luck!

[phantomhairpuller]

I had this with DS1. But I knew the blood was coming from my nipples as they were sore and cracked.

I expressed until everything calmed down, with the odd bottle of formula thrown in here and there.

Don't beat yourself up, just do what you can

[CakesAreNotTheAnswer]

Sorry to post and run - toddler was demanding breakfast with menaces. If you go to the BFN website there are loads of links to local organisations.
here

I'd highly recommend going along to a La Leche League or Baby Cafe type group and asking them for some real life advice. If possible sooner rather than later as it sounds like you're in real discomfort.

With expressing try and do it with your baby near to you, stroke your breast beforehand to stimulate the let down and try switching from breast to breast a couple of times.

Best of luck and let us know how you're getting on x

[mildred37]

Thank you all for your advice. I got a manual pump from boots which helped to relieved my rock hard boobs! I didn't have to do much though as it was dripping...nice. I do have an avent electric pump at home but I was 80miles away at my mums.

Today has been better. I dumped the first lot of EBM despite being normal in colour and consistency. This afternoon I got another 8oz and again it was normal, so it's gone in the fridge. DS has had formula all day and he's been absolutely fine.

I gave the helpline a call and explained what had happened and asked what I needed to do. Reassured me that it sounded like a burst blood vessel which is apparently quite common and nothing to worry about if its a one off (usually due to a strong suck!). They've also said I'm fine to carry on feeding him, so I did earlier on and it was so lovely....I am so pleased I can carry on as I was worried about him getting too used to bottles and eventually rejecting the breast.

So all in all a crazy night/day but its all over now and I cannot wait to get into bed! Thanks again for all the advice and support.

[YoniBottsBumgina]

That's good to hear! Must have been pretty scary for you... I've never heard of anything like it before.

[EugenesAxe]

Good stuff! I had this with both of mine. DD I took to A&E as she brought up big clots... I didn't have cracked nipples in the same way as with DS (complete agony), but I did have cracked nipples. They said the same - my blood, don't worry.

I'm so pleased you have been able to resume normal service - your situation sounds wonderful! I never got BFing, or a big supply, and feel continually ashamed to have failed with both my DCs.

[imip]

Yes, it happened to me also when dd1 was about 5 days old. I breastfed her for 10 months. I have bf all 4 dds but I admit I never found establishing bf easy. Still bf Dd4 at 18 months. You can do it!

[blushingmare]

Sorry you're having a stressful time I'm not sure why you've stopped feeding though, especially if you don't have pain. Did the hospital tell you to stop?

I had this with dd some time ago. No obvious cracks and no pain, but an alarming amount of bloody vomit. Turned out it was from me. But you're fine to keep on feeding - it doesn't so them any harm to swallow our blood (nice!). Mine resolved in a couple of days

Hope you're improving soon.

[Earthworms]

Yes, we had this in scbu with my delicate preemie. Blood in vomit, consultant involved etc etc.

Turned out it was from my bleeding nipples

We arrived on bf. ( right up to 3 yo. )

Please don't be disheartened if bf is what you want to do. Equally don't feel guilty stopping if the joy has gone out of it.

[blushingmare]

Sorry - just seen that you got advice from the helpline to continue feeding. Hope all well now

[Jenijena]

I had this, lots. It's terrifying but the blood does go through them (if they don't sick it up) - it can make their nappies darker. Eventually, it heals. You are a brilliant mum.