There has been discussion of this in the past on lactnet -- probably during
the winter. In the cases I have seen the infant was clamping on the breast
at some point during the feeding.  I was called in late in the game after
several weeks, as the mothers were determined to brfd and experienced.  The
clamping had restricted the blood flow to the nipples. The mother
experienced a  VERY painful vasospasm. It was clearly not thrush. The pain
was quite different in description.  The nipples very white then very red.
The pain was sharp but not hot.  One mother weaned almost immediately (I was
the lost hope -- fix it in one visit or else-- sigh)  In the other situation
unfortunately the reflex was well established and initially the mother would
have pain even after pumping.  This eased quickly but even after weaning and
feeding ebm for several days, as soon as the infant resumed feeding directly
the problem returned.  The pain was intense and although we were able to
ease it somewhat the mother was too worn out and weaned.  She was an
extremely active hiker and found it impossible to reconcile
expressing/pumping and hiking.  Obviously I have shortened this case history
tremendously.  We tried heat, massage, pain relievers, muscle relaxants,
positioning, more frequent feeding, desensitizing the infants oral reflex,
etc, etc. We did not try some of the alternative oral chranial manipulations
I hear about on lactnet.  I sometimes wonder if they would have helped.
This mother was a occupational therapist so was very inventive with
alternatives.  I also wonder what would have happened if we had started
working on this earlier.  The problem was dismissed as regular positioning
for several weeks in both of these cases.  You know -- just grin and bear
it, this is normal for breastfeeding arghh.
        I know none of this helps in the current case but I didn't want you
to think you were being ignored.  Does anyone out there have anything that
HAS worked effectively?
"Without interest and passion, nothing great has ever happened in history"
G.W. Hegel
                         Rhoda Taylor, B.A., IBCLC
                         3346 Glacier St.
                         Duncan, B.C. Canada      ph. 604 748 4945