Breastfeeding and donating blood

[StealthPolarBear]

Should I donate blood while breastfeeding? Have done a search and opinion seems divided as to whether it will affect supply or poorly affect me.
DS still bfs a lot, and eats very little solid food. He's coming up to a year.Just wondering what you all think and any experience?

You can do it - I did. And I didn't have any problems.

There is a fixed period you need to wait after giving birth, once that is up you should be fine.

Really Pidge? Well I had better get myself down to the Bloodbank - I thought you couldn't.

I love MN - you learn all sorts

Thanks
a lot of what I have been reading says it may affect your supply

I'm sure your baby has to be over a year before you can give, don't know why but I don't recall anything about bfing on the questionnaire.

Pidge, did they ask you outright about it, or did you mention it?

I think a few years ago you couldn't.

Perhaps you might become slightly dehydrated for half an hour or so - bet they would give you extra tea and biccies if they know you are b/f and donating. Can't see how it would otherwise affect your supply?

I'm pretty sure I mentioned it and it was fine - you have to wait 9 months after the birth, and to be honest by then feeding should be so well established that dehydration, strain on your body etc shouldn't be an issue. Nor should your supply be affected.

I ran a marathon whilst breastfeeding dd2!!! So giving a pot of blood shouldn't be an issue.

i think you can't donate until 9 months after birth. no idea about bf. phone them up and ask what rules are, although don't think they will know about supply issues. should be fine though - you make up the fluid loss in a few hours and your blood count in a week i think. plenty of mums bf when anaemic after birth.

x post pidge. impressed with marathon! can i ask what sports bra you had? can't find one supportive enough for my new size!

Olihan - in answer to your question - no they didn't ask directly, and it doesn't feature on the 'eligibility' questionnaire. The only issue is waiting 9 months from birth.

But I am pretty sure I mentioned it to them and it wasn't an issue. I really can't see why it would be with a baby of over 9 months. And a mum with an obviously well-established supply.

Get volunteering those arms for needle insertion!!! (says she, currently ruled out by being pregnant!)

I did, he asked how old the baby was and then said oh I'm sure that will be fine.
Just really wanted to know about the supply issue rather than the 'rules' iyswim

weasle - x post with you this time!! I had a whole array of fabby sports bras - one from M&S, one from our local running shop, and a couple of less good ones from some sports shop I can't remember the name of.

The marathon running whilst feeding is not that impressive actually - dd2 was 2 by the time I ran it, and we were down to one morning feed a day by then. Think we dropped the nightime feed well before she was 2 also, so before the training started.

I know of at least a couple of other breastfeeding marathoners on mumsnet too.

Good luck SPB - I would definitely use it as an excuse to scoff a couple of extra biscuits!!

thanks