white nipples (painful)

[grubble]

Hi, I seem to suffer from painful nipples that turn white when my son (3 weeks old) has finished feeding. He is attaching well but I get a burning sensation after feeding and in the nipple that he is not feeding from. There is no visible signs of thrush (white spots), do you have any ideas what could be causing the pain and white patches?

[bubhub]

(posted on behalf of Pinky)

Hi Grubble,
What you are describing sounds like a condition called nipple
vasospasm.Often mothers who experience this have a history of Raynaud's
phenomenon, a condition where a person has an extreme senistivity to cold,
especially in the hands and feet.

Nipple vasospasm can also occur as a result of a stressed nipple due to poor
attachment ( but you have eliminated this) or when there is a thrush
infection of the nipples (this doesn't always present with white spots).

It would be worth checking with a lactation consultant or GP in case
medication is required.

Meanwhile , keeping your breasts warm between feeds and applying heat packs
to your nipples ( wrapped so you dont burn yourself) may help relieve your
painful symptoms.

Pinky