This brings up an interesting question.  I see sore nipples (and damaged) on
mothers who are pumping for premies far more often than I see sore nipples
when mothers are pumping for any other reason.  These mothers can do
everything "right" but they still end up with damage.  When I was working
with a physician who was pumping for premie twins we theorized that possibly
hormones that prepare the nipples for breastfeeding have not yet done their
job in the mother of a premie, therefore her nipples become tender more
easily.  I have experimented with having these mothers initiate pumping a
little more slowly and gently than I do with mothers of babies who are
beyond 37 weeks gestation.  The incidence of painful nipples in these
mothers appears to have decreased.

What are your thoughts on this?

Denise Parker