This mother should breastfeed if she wants, and ignore the physician's
urging her to have surgery on her ducts.  Indeed, she should flee this
advice.  Why do it, for crying out loud, especially since he seems to
be persuaded the condition is benign.  The blood usually stops within
a few days of initiating breastfeeding (which should be immediately
the baby is born).  By a week or so, the blood will have disappeared.
The only problem is that baby's tend to spit up more when they swallow
blood, but this is not a concern.

This problem is quite common.  I have seen many mothers with it.  The
obstetrician, to tell the truth, does not know what he's talking
about.

You can ask this mother to e-mail me privately if she still has
doubts.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC