I got a call from a mom this evening with a 4 mo old.  She called about a
nighttime parenting issue, but in the course of conversation she said "Oh by
the way..." and told me that she gets recurrent blisters on the ends of her
nipples.  They began when the baby was about 5 weeks old.  She said bfing has
always been uncomfortable, sometimes painful.  She asked the hospital LC to
see her when she gave birth, but LC told her that baby was positioned well
and nursing fine.  Told mom it was normal to feel some pain in the beginning.
 So this mom has been feeling pain for 4 mos and thought it was supposed to
feel like that!
Mom said the blisters are sometimes clear, sometimes white and are painful.
 The baby's sucking will "empty them" and then they'll heal and be OK.  She
has gone back to work and and is pumping.
Are these plugged ducts?  Damage to the nipple from nursing and/or pumping?
 When I spoke to her she did not currently have the blisters, but had just
gotten over a case of them.  I have not seen her.
What would cause them and what will correct/prevent them?  Looking forward to
hearing from all those LCs with more experience than I.  Thanks!
Cynthia Dillon Payne
(LLL leader, taking the IBLCE exam next month!)