Betsy -- perhaps your mom is experiencing nipple vasospasm, common to
women with Raynaud's phenomenon.  Raynaud's (according to one study)
affects 22% of childbearing-age women; it manifests as lack of blood flow
to the extremities (like toes, fingers, nose -- and nipples!).  Those who
have it may find their hands and feet are extremely sensitive to cold --
turning blue, tingly or numb.  Treatment:  heat.  I would rule out
Raynaud's, in particular, because your mom experienced this same
breastfeeding pain with her other kids.

Those with nipple vasospasm suffer intense pain, sometimes described as
tingling or burning, with pain radiating to the breast.  (The burning
symptom leads many to treat for yeast).  The nipple may appear blanched.

Treatment strategies include:  Warmth (heating pad on one side while
nursing other); avoiding vasoconstrictors (like caffeine and nicotine),
and regular exercise.  Presicriptions may be needed (nifidipine) for
severe cases.

More on Raynaud's is at p. 24 of The Breastfeeding Atlas (Barbara
Wilson-Clay and Kay Hoover's new manual -- what a gem! -- and by way of
disclosure, I was an editor).  Another excellent resource is at
www.gp.org.au/cls/raynaud.html, where you'll find a full discussion of
nipple vasospasm, Raynaud's phenomenon, with cites to studies.   And there
is a great mother's story in the July-Aug 1999 issue of LLL's New
Beginnings (entitled "Seeking Relief"), which should give your mom
encouragement and hope that she can find relief from her pain, and enjoy a
happy nursing relationship with her baby.

===
Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC
Wyndmoor, PA, USA
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