I have had email and phone contact with a mother who began pumping at two
weeks when her son was unable to attach without nipple trauma for her and
great unhappiness for him. She got blisters during a short attempt with
shields. There is no local help easily available for her. She is extremely
motivated and only gets in touch when at her wit's end.
She has now been pumping for 7.5 months, but we've not been in touch since
the fall when I advised her to seek medical attention for the skin damage.
Her GP did cultures for bacteria and yeast, all negative. Recently her
nipples have started looking more damaged, like blood blisters around the
tips, with almost raw-appearing spots at the very tips. They look their
worst just after pumping, but never look normal. She reports it now takes
longer to elicit the MER than previously and I suspect the prolonged vacuum
from the pump on her skin to be the cause. Have suggested she hand express
at least to MER before applying pump, if at all. She is concerned her
supply will be irreparably reduced if she stops pumping and she doesn't
want that. I've not seen anything like it before.
Please post if you have experience with pump-related nipple trauma. I can
send pictures privately if need be.
Rachel Myr, Kristiansand, Norway

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