Hi everyone,

A friend neonathologist just contacted me for a question I cannot answer, so
I post here with their permission. The neonathologist was called in on a
second day postpartum mom and her healthy baby who was refusing the breast.
Would not latch, either aided nor self-latch (this doc knows about
breastfeeding). The nurse reported that on day one postpartum mom had blood
coming out from both breasts (with NO nipple wounds or pain the few times
that the baby latched that first day). The doctor tells me that on day two,
when she went to see the mom, there was a liquid which looked like diluted
blood coming from both nipples when expressed. It did not have the rusty
pipe color, she said it was clearly like blood mixed with water (bloody
colostrum?). OBs did an ultrasound of both breasts and it was normal. Bloody
colostrum has been sent to the lab, On the evening of the second day baby
still refused the breast and so it was decided to feed him with formula.
This is when the neonathologist called to ask me.

I told her I had never seen blood come out from BOTH undamaged breasts. I
have seen blood from a ductal papiloma once, and have also read about it,
but it was only on one breast. A reason for bilateral bleeding would be a
quick growth of the breast which could rupture small vessels, but this would
happen either during rapid breast growth in pregnancy or after postpartum
engorgement. This mom did not have engorgement, and if she had bled during
the rapid growth of pregnancy what we would see is the rusty remains, not
red blood.

The doc and the mom decided to pump for a few days and if the blood clears
return the baby to the breast. I think this is a good plan.

Has anyone seen this before or have any idea?

Thanks!

Warmly from Madrid,
Kika

-- 
Dra. Carmela Baeza
Médico de Familia
Consultora Certificada en Lactancia Materna IBCLC
www.centroraices.com
Comprometida con el Derecho a Vivir
http://derechoavivir.org

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