Help! blood in baby's mouth when breastfeeding

[Bishberro]

I was breastfeeding my 11- week-old son this morning when he pulled away and started crying hysterically and when I looked in his mouth it was filled with bright red blood. I panicked but when I looked I could't see anything in his mouth like a cut and he hasn't got any teeth yetand I couldn't feel any that had come through. I didn't feel him bite me and my nipple looked normal. He carried on feeding and the milk that came out was the normal white colour and when he was sick after the feed it was a normal colour with a tiny bit of rust colour in it where the blood was. Does anyone have any idea what it could have been and should I take him to the GPs? I can only assume the blood was from me and he was crying because of the weird taste but does it just randomly appear in breast milk for no reason? I haven't been ill or had any problems breastfeeding. Or could have have bitten his tongue? He's been ok in himself today and is now asleep, I'm just a bit concerned.

[buggie]

Is very likely the blood was from you - quite often even if you don't have obvious cracks to your nipples the amount of suction bubs uses when feeding can sometimes make un-noticable cracks bleed.

Have seen several cases of babies ?vomiting blood in Paeds ED and it's turned out to be from Mum's nipples. Especially that there wasn't any blood in the vomit afterwards would say watch next few feeds and seek help if continues to worry you. If he's feeding well and weeing/pooing well then chances are he's ok. Hope this helps x

[candj]

I had this before and, sadly, it was blood from my nipples from being ravaged by a newborn. I didn't notice bleeding on me, but when my daughter spat up there was a bit of blood and I completely freaked out to both the midwife and paediatrician who happened to be in my hospital room. They examined us both and said it was from me and not my daughter. Also, if babies swallow enough of it they will vomit it up, apparently.

Hope that helps.

[Bishberro]

Thanks for the reassurance. The odd thing is my nipples seem completely fine - no cracks, no pain or soreness at all. I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see if it happens again.

[GinaG3]

Hi Bishberro,

Glad you feel reassured by others comments. I sympathize completely it must be a horrible worry to see something like that. I'm with buggie on just watching the feeds and if its worrying you contact your GP for an appointment. It could be a case of vascular engorgement whereby increased blood flow to the breast alongside the development of more milk glands cause a tiny internal bleed, this is nothing to worry about and its quite common in first time breastfeeding parents (if you are one?). This usually clears after 3 days and you can continue to feed throughout. It could just as easily be broken capillaries in the breast due to rough handling or improper use of a breast pump, once again nothing to worry about just your body getting used to breastfeeding. If you express a little milk can you spot any blood in your milk?

I'm a trained breastfeeding counselor and more than happy to help put your mind at rest a bit more if you have any more questions. Hope it gets better soon. Good luck.

[Bishberro]

Thanks for all your advice. I think I've finally worked out what it is - poor little thing has got a cut under his tongue. Think it's probably been caused by his fingernails when he's stuffed his fist into his mouth. He loves doing this at the minute and once managed to get both fists in at once. I think when he feeds it irritates it and it bleeds. I'm glad I know what's caused it at least.