Is it bad to donate blood while I'm nursing? I've heard that it can lower my milk supply, but have also heard it would be only for like a day or so, and if I drink a ton of water/fluids that it shouldn't make a difference. Anyone have any experience either way?
Thanks!!
Thank you everyone who responded! I appreciate your different view points and aspects! I found a number for the Red Cross and called them to ask them the question (again) and the lady who I spoke with said that there wasn't a for sure answer to my question because every woman produces milk differently and while donating blood for one woman might do nothing, it could dry up another, so it really depended on me and what I felt (since this was my 2nd child and had an idea of how well my milk supply was.) Anyway, she said that personally she would wait until she was done nursing to donate. There is always going to be the need for blood, so I will still be able to donate in the future. :) So, I'm going to be waiting until I'm closer to being done nursing personally. :)
Thanks again everyone! :D
The blood bank called me today and they told me you should wait for 9 months after delivering.
Warmly,
S.
I strongly advise waiting until you have weaned your child, it is much easier on your system. If you feel like you aren;t giving, every time that baby latches on,you are making a donation, giving to the greater good. I would personally wait. The blood banks aren't going anywhere, they will still need blood when your baby is done breastfeeding and your body will thank you for waiting. Thats my opinion, from experience. Good luck and take care.
Your blood is what makes your breastmilk. When I asked my donation site, they told me to wait until I was finished breastfeeding. I assumed everyone got the same advice. I am eager to start donating again, but have a few more months of nursing to go.
Please post a response as to what you decide to do!
If you feel healthy, then go. :)
When the Red Cross called me to schedule, they said that it is fine to donate while nursing (they say no during pregnancy because the blood loss could cause a miscarriage). I think it could make you weaker since that would be a lot of fluid with nursing, and could lower your supply for that day or two. I used to give regularly, but I have chosen not to do it until my son is weaned.
As far as yes or no, if you don't mind the other stuff, I would contact a lactation consultant for their opinion.
I've onated blood several times while nursing, with all 3 of my kiddos. I never experienced a decrease in my supply (although I am a never ending milk machine while nursing, I have SO much milk!) My doctor told me that I just needed to wait until my supply was established (after about 6 weeks) and drink lots of water, and have pumoed milk (or formula) on hand for 24 hours just in case.
I have done it several times over my nursing years. Some people say wait until weaning, but I nurse for almost 2 years...I felt comfortable, and healthy donating while nursing. Make sure your iron level is pretty good (eat some meat during the week before) and drink tons of fluids, then say yes to the juice and cookies after to keep your sugar levels up. This last time I did it I think my babe was about 8-10 weeks.
I've always done it with no problem. They just ask for baby to be 6 weeks old, so you're fine there. Good for you helping out!
I did it once, but I admit I felt more light-headed than I typically do after donating blood. I made a point to engage in excellent self-care after I donated--I had a sandwich waiting for me, and I just hung out with my baby the whole next day--really just kind of took a "milk day" and nursed on cue to keep my supply good and Baby happy. The phlebotomists at the donation site said they typically discourage nursing moms from donating, but as long as I felt nursing was well-established and I was prepared to take extra-good care of myself for a day or two, it would be OK. It was no big deal for me, although I don't know if I'd make a habit of it. My baby was almost one when I did it.
It is counter-indicated to donate blood while nursing. Esspecially since your baby is so young, just don't do it right now. Wait until you baby is weaned, until then you can still encourage others to donate blood.
I have donated platelets for years. And I believe I did it when I was nursing. You just have to be 6 weeks post-partum (for vaginal birth, more for c-section or if you received blood transfusions or the drug for rH sensitivity)
