Bloody nipple Discharge
A small percentage of women have bloody nipple discharge in the first few days after delivery, resulting in bright red or rusty colored colostrum. The condition is related to an increase in blood vessels in the breast ducts during pregnancy and typically resolves within a few days. It is not necessary to stop nursing or to substitute infant formula if blood is seen in the colostrum or breast milk, although you should consult with your doctor.
Blood may appear in breast milk as a result of cracks in the nipple, trauma to the breast or other conditions. Blood is often detected because the infant’s stool becomes bloody. The color of the milk can range from pale pink to bright red.
If blood is seen during breast pump use, the pump settings and length of pumping should be modified. Using a high vacuum setting or pumping for long periods can cause bleeding in the breast tissue, which may cause the milk to appear bloody.
If no obvious source is identified, you may be asked provide a milk specimen for microscopic examination. This is important because, in rare cases, blood in the breast milk is a sign of breast cancer. If the examination is normal, the bleeding usually resolves spontaneously and you can continue nursing
