blood in baby vomit- think is from a cracked nipple but need advice what to do next?

[ladypanda]

My DS is five and a half weeks, he has been chomping away on a breast that was previously very sore at the nipple and had a crack, I thought it had healed but he just sicked up some very fresh- looking blood after a strong feed on it. Can people reassure me that this is normal, not bad for him, and any advice on what to do next? We've had to top him up with a bottle each day as he has slipped down 2 pecentiles since his birth, so I can do this, but really don't want to stop breast-feeding him- does the blood do him any damage?
Any advice welcome, quite concerned x

I have no experience of this, but I don't think the blood will do him any harm. Maybe you should seek medical advice, just in case? Try phoning NHS direct, it's free and they're very friendly. Have you tried any remedies for sore nipples? I can recommend silverette nipples, which solved my nipple problems overnight.

When my dd had blood in her vomit I was reassured by NHS direct that it was probably a small burst blood vessel in her nose that had trickled down her throat.

Maybe best to check with them anyway?

My DD did this at about 2 weeks

In fact my nipples were openly bleeding so badly that her poo went black (from digested blood - )

I was determined to continue feeding and perservered. Took advise from lactation consultant/midwife and HV. All said no harm to baby, just gave advise about latch etc to allow nipples to heal.

So don't worry about the blood harming your DS. He'll be fine, just concentrate on getting your nipples back into tip top condition!

Do you use breast pads? I used to find that they would stick to the damaged nipple and would open up the crack again when they were removed. I didn't leak much and eventually found Lily Padz which didn't stick to the nipple and allowed them to heal. here From what I undersatnd from other mums - they aren't much use if you leak heavily

I also used Lasinoh and on occasion breast sheilds inbetween feeds. I think just allowing the air to get to them helps. Although this is very easy for me to suggest as I didn't leak milk at all.

This has happened to me. M/w said that the blood makes them vomit. I rested the bleeding side for 24 hours and just fed from the other side. Gradually introduced the cracked side after the 24hours. Worked for us.

thanks everyone- I went to the doc today after an alarming amount came out again this morning- he diagnosed infection in my nipple that was preventing it healing, hence opening up every time Pac Man took a feed, which is very often! My midwife came round and said though it might make him nauseous, it wouldn't do him any harm. Treatment is prescription cream to heal the nipples and kill the infection- the doc says I can carry on feeding from that side, the midwife said I could rest it without interruption to overall supply, so I might do that to avoid my distress at seeing blood come out.
Blimey it's a challenge this feeding business...