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Infant feeding

Advice please - painful bf and now blood in EDM - is it ok to still feed this side?

5 replies

strawberrylace · 28/12/2007 06:36

Hello - would be grateful for any advice from MN out there. Have been bf for almost 12 wks now with no real major problems (apart from a real inability to latch on at the start which is why we're using nipple shields)
The last week or so it has been really hurting to feed on the left side ? have stuck with it as has tended to ease up a bit once we're in to it. This morning I thought I would express from the left side for a bit of a break, as I have done previously, and it looks like strawberry milk!!!
I think there is a cut or graze on that nipple, but should I be worried about anything else?
Is it ok to still use this EBM or should i just throw it away? (which is what i think i should do, but don't want to waste it if not necessary!) Is it ok to still feed him on this side, even if he's getting some blood in his milk as a result, or should I pump and discard? I have a bit of EBM in the freezer so we would be ok for a day or so. Any advice on getting the cut to heal - should I see a doctor to get checked out?
Thanks in advance for your help...

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turkEgyptlets · 28/12/2007 06:55

hi there
i had really sore nipples in the early days with dd1. i expressed and it was bloody too. mears, on here, told me it was fine to use that milk. i knew that the blood was from scabby nips though! if you think it might be from inside, maybe you should get it checked

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turkEgyptlets · 28/12/2007 06:56

the cut will heal, just give it time and keep feeding, it will pass! good luck

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strawberrylace · 28/12/2007 07:00

Hi turkEgyptlets
Thanks for your messages, I have hand-expressed some drops and they come out as normal milk colour, so I am assuming it's on the outside (my DH said he could see a small crack). Will keep feeding then - was just so worried when the EBM was not its normal colour!!

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ScottishSusan · 28/12/2007 07:01

Hi

Nothing is as bad as sore nipples - I fully understand your distress. I am pregnant with number 6 and have bf last 3. You should always seek advice from midwife or health visitor but feeding from sore breast is actually a good way to heal if you can stand it. A little blood from a cut will not affect baby but are you sure it is coming from a cut?
If blood is coming from inside it could be internal thrush. Do you have any deep breat pain perhaps going through to your back? I have had this and it is awful but treatable. Go to doctors and he will give you meds - no need to stop feeding though!

I was always a very stubborn and determined bf mum who would continue to feed through the pain with tears dripping down my face....this with hindsight was a bit silly. A few days on the bottle while you rest will do no harm and will allow you to regain strength physically and mentally....

I wish you lots of luck... i can't wait to be bf again.... daft aren't I?

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strawberrylace · 29/12/2007 12:26

Hi ScottishSusan
Thanks for your message of support - I am managing to bf from that side for the moment, with a bit of gritting of the teeth! I think I am quite stubborn too! It gets more bearable after the initial let down. I'd not heard of internal thrush before, so i will call the health visitor on monday if things aren't better