Breastfeeding With Raynauds Disease
Painful breastfeeding caused through Raynauds disease
What is Raynauds disease ? Raynaud’s phenomenon also known as blanching of the nipple is now a common breastfeeding problem, affecting up to 20% of all women of childbearing age. Reynaud's is not caused by breastfeeding but caused through abnormal spasms of arteries that supply blood to your nipples, causing the restriction of blood flow and therefore numbness, burning and pain. The skin of the area usually also turns blue, and then when the blood starts flushing back the skin turns a reddish colour. Sometimes mothers with Raynauds disease are treated for Candid albicans infection (thrush), which makes it really difficult for the mother to find relief. That’s why it is so important to let your doctor know about all the symptoms you are experiencing.
How do you know if you have Raynauds disease ? It is usually the colour changes of your skin that will indicate Raynaud’s. Raynaud’s syndrome usually occurs during very hot or cold temperatures and also when experiencing emotional stress. You don’t have to be pregnant or breastfeeding to have Raynauds…it can effect your fingers, toes and ear lobes too. Not all women who have nipple or breast pain or even nipple blanching have Raynaud disease…read more on normal nipple pain here Most times moms who breastfeed with Raynaud say that the pain occurs right after baby has stopped breastfeeding…they say that their nipples turn white and feel as though they are being clamped down by a vice grip. After a while the blood starts to return to the area resulting in red nipples. Signs of Raynaud's during breastfeeding
- Triphasic or biphasic colour change in the breast or nipple area. (white nipples) - Sometimes the areola changes shape - Intense throbbing breast or nipple pain Treatment for Raynauds disease - Nifedipine (high blood pressure medicine) has been given and used to treat Raynaud’s symptoms with excellent results because of its vasodilator effects. (safe to use while breastfeeding) - Making sure that mom is latching on correctly can also lessen the pain and eliminate any other sources of nipple pain associated with breastfeeding - Try to stay calm and in a stress free environment - Stay away from coffee or any other caffeinated drinks as these will worsen the symptoms of Raynaud syndrome - Eliminate alcohol from your diet, alcohol also has a worsening effect on Reynauds - Avoid quick temperature changes to your nipple - Avoid smoking - Avoid medications like pseudoephedrine, oral contraceptives and beta blockers - Supplements that can relieve Raynauds are Evening primrose oil and fish oil taken over a 6 week period - Aerobic and cardio exercise have been found to relieve symptoms - Vitamin B6. 150-200 mg once a day for four days, followed by 25 mg/day once a day - Many moms have reported that massaging olive oil into the breast and nipple does give relief and decreases the occurrence of the vasospasm overall… more on breast massage here - Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration, which can lower the amount of blood moving through the blood vessels
Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” in connection with raynards disease - Thrush - Mastitis
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