Nipple Vasospasm - I never knew so much pain

I hadn’t heard of Nipple Vasospasm, until I was told the reason behind my painful breastfeeding experience.

I had no idea what was happening—I just knew I was in excruciating pain, each and every time these two little mouths latched on.

However, like my experience with painful periods (check out my blog on endometriosis), I wasn’t sure how much pain was "too much.". Was this meant to feel like this or was I doing something wrong? As a first-time mum, I had no frame of reference.

Even though, I had a high pain threshold, this was something else entirely! The pain was like my breasts were slowly being cut with a sharp razor blade (sorry for the graphic image). I had never felt pain like that before in my life. I remember grimacing through the pain as tears streamed down my face. Each and every time one of my babies latched on, the pain lasted about 40 seconds. Now, 40 seconds might not sound like a long time, but when you’re in that kind of pain, it feels like pure torture. And let’s not forget, I had two. So, after enduring the pain with one baby, I got to do it all over again with the second.

Oh, and it didn’t stop there. The slightest breeze or hint of cold would make my nipples sting. And get rock hard. No, it was not sexy, it was painful, so painful. Imagine your nipples being exposed to freezing conditions and then someone flicking them—I mean some people may be into that but for me it was just exhausting being in pain all the time!

I had to constantly keep my nipples extra warm, so my husband bought a fleece blanket and we cut it up into little square pieces, I would wear a few layers of these in my bra. The irony was that my twins were born in the summer, so while I was sweltering everywhere else, my nipples needed to be toasty warm. I later learned about nipple warmers, which would’ve been helpful, but our DIY fleece blanket solution did the trick.

Fortunately, I had access to lactation consultants as a result of my twins being in NICU for the first couple of weeks of their lives. They concluded I had Nipple Vasospasm which was confirmed by a Doctor.

Despite the diagnosis and agony, I was determined to breastfeed my twins no matter what. Instinctively, I knew that my milk was the best thing for my babies to grow strong and healthy. Giving up was never an option, even in the face of such intense pain. Looking back, I realize how strong I was…for them.

So, this was my life for the first eight weeks, even as I write this I acknowledge that doesn’t seem long but being in constant pain day in and day out on top of being utterly exhausted- felt like eternity!

What exactly is Nipple Vasospasm?

Nipple vasospasm is actually very common. It occurs when the blood vessels in the nipples constrict, reducing blood flow and causing sharp, burning pain or a cold, white appearance in the nipples. It can be triggered by cold temperatures, stress, or breastfeeding itself. 

What are the Symptoms ?

·       Sharp, burning pain: This can occur during or after breastfeeding.

·       Color changes in the nipple: Your nipple may turn white, then blue, and finally red as blood flow returns.

·       Sensitivity to cold: Pain may intensify when exposed to cold air or water.

And, why does this happen?

Nipple vasospasm can be linked to various factors:

·       Raynaud's phenomenon: This is a condition where blood vessels overreact to cold or stress, often affecting fingers and toes but sometimes nipples too.

·       Poor latch: A baby's improper latch can cause trauma and trigger vasospasm.

·       Breastfeeding challenges: Engorgement, thrush, or other breastfeeding issues can also contribute.

Give me Tips for Managing this!!

There are several ways to ease the discomfort and keep breastfeeding a positive experience:

1.     Keep Warm: Warmth is your best friend. Use warm compresses before and after breastfeeding to encourage blood flow. Wearing warm clothing and avoiding exposure to cold can also help. I personally cut up fleece blankets and put them inside my bra to keep my nipples warm.

2.     Optimize the Latch: Ensure your baby is latching correctly. A good latch can reduce trauma to the nipples. If you're unsure, I highly recommend seeing a lactation consultant for guidance.

3.     Massage and Moisturize: Gentle massage can promote circulation. Applying lanolin or a natural oil (coconut oil is always my oil of choice) can help keep nipples soft and prevent cracking.

4.     Medication: Although this is always my last option. In some cases, doctors may prescribe medication to help relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. Do whats best for you mumma to get through this.

5.     Stay Hydrated and Reduce Stress: Staying hydrated helps overall circulation, and stress management techniques like deep breathing or gentle exercise can reduce stress-induced vasospasm.

Let’s stay 'abreast' of the situation and please share with anyone you think this may help 

You got this mumma!!

Cheers,

Andrea