I would have to agree.  Usually when I see straight bruising on any part of the nipple/areola, I'm asking about pumping.    Though I'm aware babies can and do cause this kind of damage, it's a red flag for me to start inquiring about mechanical habits.  

I'd say I've seen this a half dozen times in the last year alone, two in the last two months.  When we suspect the pump is the cause of the dreaded 'purple nurple,' I offer a flange fitting session in the office or home and provide mom with different-sized flanges as needed.  In each case where discomfort, damage, or bruising was caused by a pump, the best-fitting flange was given to mom, and the bruising resolved shortly thereafter.  I haven't seen more or less bruising based on implant status.

In addition to pain relief, most if not all of the moms whose flanges were replaced also had better output and shorter pumping sessions.    

Brandy J. Hansen
WIC Peer Counselor, IBCLC
McLean County Health Department
200 W. Front St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Office: (309) 888-5971
Cell: (309) 838-1656
Fax: (309) 888-5460
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