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. 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. 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.