I have a client whose daughter is 3 1/2 mos old.  She's had a number of
problems - overactive letdown, truly colicky baby, and intense nipple pain
due to the baby clamping down to slow the flow.  When the baby clamped
down, the entire nipple turned a pale white.  I called in an LC and got her
linked up with LLL for support.  I recommended single sided nursing, LC
recommended Australian hold, to decrease the flow.  Not sure that it ever
did.  At one point, she discontinued nursing on her right side due to the
intense pain.  At that time she noticed a "blister" or white spot.  For 2
1/2 weeks she pumped on that side, offered baby only the left side.  Plenty
of milk there (really phenomenal to watch this lady pump and fill the
bottle) and baby had good weight gain.  The white spot was at the surface
at first,.  She tried to pop it with a needle, but it wasn't a fluid filled
blister.  It appears to be a bunch of tissue that is flaky, but stuck
together.  It appears that the milk flows out from under it.  I suggested
she try placing a warm wash cloth over the breast and white spot for a few
minutes and then have her daughter nurse to see if it would dislodge.  No
success ther.  Now the white spot is below the surface of the nipple, but
still visible.  Mom states that it still hurts her when she nurses, but she
is determined to nurse anyway.  This lady has a great tolerance for pain.
She showed the white spot to her OB.  He didn't  know what it was, and told
her not to worry about it.  Given the pain this causes when she nurses, I'd
like to help her get rid of it.  Do any of you know what this could be?

Sure hope you folks receive this.  I am new to e-mailing and messed up the
first time I tried to send this.  Please excuse me... I'm an analog woman
in a digital (internet) world.

Thanks,

Luz Smeenk, MS, RD