Nipple vasospasm

[Me&MrMagoo]

Hey girls,

does anyone out there suffer from nipple vasospasm? Or white nipple as it's commonly called?

it is EXCRUCIATING! it's like ants are eating my nipples from the inside out!

it is made worse by the cold and my 13 week olds recent fussing has made it even more painful, i am nearly in tears every time i feed!

i am so close to 50/50 feeding with formula just to give my nipples a break! (no i can't express it's 10 times worse!)

is it possible to successfully feed 50/50 with formula?

yes i do know formula is not the best for bubs but i am really at my wits end with the pain!

[WorkingClassMum]

** bump **

[Izy]

vasospasm? May need to google that when i'm on the laptop/off the mobile.
If it's anything like what i have wearing breast shells during the day all day enables me to feed without pain, and only minimal skin loss.

[Izy]

googled it... Completely different! Omg does it sound terrible.
Have you looked into natural herbs etc that might improve circulation?

[AM]

Yes. I didn't get it while bub was feeding though, I got it mostly when I was in the cold section of the supermarket! :o Mine just went away eventually, I think it lasted a month or two?? I used to just massage my boobs when it happened, and tried to keep them as warm as possible, maybe try to warm your boobs up with heatpacks or something before you feed??

I hope you find something to help, it's AWFUL!!

[Me&MrMagoo]

Yeah some days it's nearly constant! It started when i was about 5 months pregnant and hasn't really eased off ...

i might ask my naturopath about circulation help, keeping it warm doesn't seem to do much for me either =(

[AM]

Yeah some days it's nearly constant! It started when i was about 5 months pregnant and hasn't really eased off ...

i might ask my naturopath about circulation help, keeping it warm doesn't seem to do much for me either =(

I reckon that is a great idea about the circulation, thinking about it, I've never had great circulation... Doesn't paprika or cayenne pepper help circulation?? :detective:

[Thermolicious]

I have heard, as AM said of using heatpacks before feeding :yes:
just googled this


Treatment options for vasospasm

Avoid cold. Apply dry heat to the breast when needed (this relaxes the "cramping" blood vessels). Some mothers benefit from keeping the entire body warm (warm clothing, warm room, wrap up in a blanket, etc.)
Cover the nipple as soon as possible after baby comes off the breast. Some moms say that it is helpful use a wool breast pad or a soft cloth diaper.
Apply dry heat immediately after breastfeeding. A rice sock can be useful as a source of dry heat: Fill a sock or a cloth bag with uncooked rice and microwave 45 seconds (or until desired warmth is achieved); hold the rice sock against the nipple (over the cloth or mom's shirt) until blood flow resumes.
Avoid caffeine, nicotine and other vasoconstrictive drugs, as they can precipitate symptoms.
Ibuprofen.
Dietary supplementation with calcium/magnesium.
Dietary supplementation with vitamin B6.
Low dose oral nifedipine.

[Me&MrMagoo]

Magnesium! Oh my god it had lessened for about a month and it was the month i was taking magnesium for restless legs! I'll be back on those first thing in the morning!

[LMenz]

Yep...I had it with DS1 and am now experiencing it with DS2.

Definitely try the calcium/magnesium supplement. It worked for me!

I think it lasted about a 2 months all up. I found the night feeds the hardest (because of the cold)

[Me&MrMagoo]

I've had it for 8 months so far! That's why it's doing my head in so much!

[shockinamillion]

I got that pain while I was pregnant, like razorblades ripping at my nipples, especially in the cold. In fact it was the reason i POAS the other day!

When bubs came it was excruciating! My nipples were white as white.
The midwives and LC's at the hospital just kept telling me pain was normal and to "dig my heels into the ground and bite through the pain". That information would have been very helpful.

I suppose regular exercise would help the circulation too!