Can a Breastfeeding Mother Donate Blood?
March 1, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breast milk, breastfeeding basics, health of the mother
Whether a breastfeeding mother should donate blood or not is subject to debate. Because donating blood removes fluid from the body and fluid levels can affect milk supply, a breastfeeding mother should carefully consider whether she should give blood and consult her doctor before doing so. In general though, a healthy mother with a well-established milk supply can donate blood.
In the American Red Cross guidelines, pregnant women are asked not to donate and nursing mothers are asked to wait six weeks after giving birth. The Canadian Blood Services temporarily defers women from giving blood if they’ve had a pregnancy within …read more
