Nipple Vasospasms and Exclusively Pumping

If you’re experiencing burning nipple pain or sore nipples after pumping, nipple vasospasms may be the culprit. Here is everything you need to know about nipple vasospasms when exclusively pumping, including symptoms, how to treat them, and prevention.

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What are nipple vasospasms?

Nipple vasospasms (which are also called mammary constriction syndrome) are a sudden narrowing of the blood vessels in the nipple. These spasms can prevent blood from getting to certain areas of the nipple, and they often happen in response to cold.

They are associated with Raynaud’s Phenomenon, and can be quite painful.

What are the symptoms?

Below are six common vasospasm symptoms:

• A burning, stabbing, itching pain in the nipples in between feedings
• Misshapen nipples
• Shooting pain deep within the breast
• Nipples changing color to white, blue, or dark red (see photo here)
• General nipple soreness
• Sensitivity to cold temperatures (to the degree that the cold causes pain)

In exclusive pumping mothers, vasospasms frequently occur after pumping sessions, when the air hits the nipple after the flanges are removed. It’s common to feel a burning pain, followed by a color change in the nipple.

How do I know my nipple pain is caused by vasospasms?

The two symptoms that are most likely to indicate vasospasms (as opposed to other issues like thrush) are the nipple color change and extreme sensitivity to cold. If you have either of these, vasospasms are likely an issue for you.

What should I do if I think this is what is causing my nipple pain?

The first thing that you need to do is treat the underlying issue that is causing them, which is usually one of two things:

• Damaged nipples – this could be a bad latch from nursing (if you recently switched to exclusive pumping), or breast shields that don’t fit well or haven’t been positioned correctly. Make sure that your flanges are the right size (this diagram can be helpful in determining this, or Pumpin Pals are a good option). Additionally, if you think positioning might be a problem, consider using a Lactalite so that you can better visualize how your breast shields are positioned.
• Thrush – If you think you may have thrush, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis and a prescription to treat it. (More info here. OTC APNO may also be helpful.)

Note that if there’s no pain associated with your vasospasms – only color changes (known as nipple blanching) – then there is no need to treat it, though it’s worth confirming that you do not have thrush and your breast shields fit correctly.

Then, you’ll need to treat the pain associated with it while your nipples heal. Some options include:

• Try to keep your nipples as warm and dry as possible, while avoiding cold. Use warm dry compresses like a heating pad or Booby Tubes (use PUMPING20 to get 20% off). These can both stop the vasospasm and treat the pain.
• Massage olive oil into your nipples. (This should be done gently.)
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and oral contraceptives that contain estrogen (you should avoid the latter anyway when breastfeeding, as this medication can affect supply).
• Take Motrin for the pain and inflammation. (Motrin is compatible with breastfeeding.)
• Take a calcium-magnesium supplement twice daily.
• Massage vigorously above your breasts and below your collarbone immediately after you unhook yourself from the pump, or when you begin to feel nipple pain.
• Take a Vitamin B6 Multi-Complex (the dose of B6 should be about 100mg twice per day, and it should be taken as part of a B complex of vitamins). You should take this until you are no longer experiencing pain.

If none of these work, you can see your doctor. She may prescribe nifedipine for about two weeks, which can help with the pain.

How can I prevent nipple vasospasms?

The most important thing that you can do if you’re exclusively pumping is have the right size breast shields and make sure you position them correctly. (If you are nursing, you will want to make sure that your baby is latching well.)

You’ll also want to do what you can to prevent thrush. Some ways to do this are to add a probotic (such as yogurt) to your diet, change your breast pads and nursing bras frequently, and wash your hands regularly.

Have you dealt with nipple vasospasms while exclusively pumping? Tell us your story in the comments!

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