Can you give blood if you are breastfeeding?

[halfdrunktea]

Not literally at the same time, of course...

NBS guidance says that you can donate if your baby is over 9 months old, but doesn't mention breastfeeding. Just thought I'd ask here before I get in touch with them.

I was thinking of going in September when my son will be 10 months old. I've been EBF and am now doing BLW so he doesn't eat a huge amount in the way of solids, though maybe he will be having a bit less milk by then.

Yes, as long as baby is over 9 months. I have done it myself a couple of times (although last time I went my iron was too low :(, don't think this is bf-related tho..)

Personally I wouldn't (and actually can't as I'm no longer eligible to do so).

Giving blood is an admirable thing to do and I was a blood donor before I received a blood transfusion myself. It does affect you though. I fainted after 1 donation and was a little off after another. Combined with how drained BF can make you I really wouldn't risk it. This is just me though, maybe giving blood doesn't effect others in the same way...

You can, but yes, I think it's a personal judgement call on how tired you can afford to be afterwards, plus how much they're actually feeding.

No use for OP, as you need to start before your baby is 6 months, but while you can't give blood many mums choose to donate milk, instead:

Click this link if you want to find out more about donating breastmilk to premature babies

Yes, you can, and I would if I could but I'm now under the weight limit! DS has eaten all my reserves. But I'm someone who could give blood with no ill-effects at all pre-pregnancy, so it's easy for me to say that.

yup, I did once they were over 9 months

I have an appointment to give blood next week as it said on their website that your baby had to be over six months-and nothing was mentioned about breastfeeding.

I phoned the hospital here to ask and they told me not at all as long as you are bf. I think you should ring them and ask the policy locally.

cyberfairy, secure.blood.co.uk/c11_cant.asp says "You should not give blood if you are pregnant or you are a woman who has had a baby in the last 9 months."

They get you to drink a pint of water while you wait now to prevent dehydration, so long as you do that and keep your fluid intake high for the 24 hours or so afterwards I would have thought it would be fine.

The pint of water is to keep your blood pressure up.
re: the BF thing - obviously ningthemerciless that's bonkers, DD is 29 months, I wonder if they would try and tell me I can't considering i've donated a few times since she was 9 months . The first time after DS1 (he was just 9 months) I specificall yasked re: bf as he was still nursing lots and was told it was fine

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll see how I feel nearer the time of the session. I was always fine when I donated previously, though that's more than two years ago now. I did think about donating milk, though unfortunately I never got round to it as I found expressing quite difficult.

Cheers Herd-will reschedule my appointment-confused as sure I read it was six months but you are right, have rechecked.