Breastfeeding: Rusty-pipe syndrome
When I had my first baby, two years ago, my milk was red in color, and I did not have a good milk supply. The lactation consultant at my hospital called it "rusty-pipe syndrome" and said it should not affect my ability to feed. Now that I am pregnant with my second child, I am eager to find out more about this "problem" and what I can do to insure that I can breastfeed my second baby. I can find no references to this. Please help.
Question:Debbi Donovan
Debbi Donovan is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, as well as a retired La Leche League Leader. For more than a decade, Debbi... Read more
Rusty-pipe syndrome is a condition, seen mostly in first-time moms, where the milk appears to be rusty in color. It is more common with first pregnancies, and mothers with this condition may notice the appearance of rusty looking milk as early as the fourth month of pregnancy. It is most commonly seen in the early stages of breastfeeding.
Rusty pipe syndrome may result from vascular engorgement of the breast. As your milk-producing glands, or alveoli, go through a period of rapid development, and the blood flow increases to your breasts, there may be some internal bleeding.
A survey of the Nursing Mother Association of Australia found that 50 percent of the women who had rusty-pipe syndrome had practiced nipple and areola "stretching," as you would see in the Hoffman Technique, which is often recommended for flat or inverted nipples.
This condition is not painful, and it will usually resolve on its own within about a week. Nursing can continue. Blood in your milk will not hurt your baby. If bleeding does last longer than a week, schedule a visit with your Health Care Provider to have this discharge properly evaluated (Lawrence 1994).
Rusty-pipe syndrome should not, on its own, affect your ability to feed your baby. Possibly you experienced severe engorgement following your baby's birth, leading to this syndrome. Unresolved engorgement can lead to a diminished milk supply.
It is very important to nurse early and often as breastfeeding is becoming established in the first six weeks. Avoid the use of pacifiers and bottles, in the hospital, and at home. If your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding in the early days, allow him lots of practice time. Don't be surprised if he starts out just licking and nuzzling at your nipple. This is very normal. Shortly, with encouragement, he'll begin to latch-on. Get help from the hospital's IBCLC to get breastfeeding off to the best start. If your baby is still not feeding well at your breast, express your milk, using a hospital-grade electric breastpump, for any incomplete or missed feed. The Lactation Consultant can also help you in feeding your expressed milk to your baby, using a cup, syringe or whatever method is determined to be best in your particular situation. Frequent feeds (or milk expression) should keep any engorgement to a minimum, helping you to stay comfortable while safeguarding your milk supply.
My very best wishes for a wonderful breastfeeding relationship with your baby-to-be!
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