Pink nipples?

[Glowlightly]

Am in the early stages of breastfeeding and have noticed that while my areolas are brown my nipples are pink. Is this normal / just down to the incessant feeding I'm doing?

I'm worried about thrush though at the moment only one seems to hurt and only initially when feeding. Though any brushing against my left nipple is pretty painful at the moment. I think the latch isn't as good on that side.

Hoping somebody tell me that they have fond old memories of having pink nipples while feeding and it not being an infection

Congratulations on your new LO Glow

I’ve got no idea on this one sorry. Have you spoken to one of the BFing Helplines?

Thank you! I tried to ring LLL but nobody available this eve. Will try again tomorrrow. Hoping it's normal wear and tear

Is the nipple blanching Glow?

No although the sore one has a bit of skin that peels off after she's been on it for an hour! No blanching

I really do not have a clue on this one!

If LLL haven’t got anyone available, can you leave a message for someone to call you back tomorrow? Could you try one of the other Helplines?

Also, if she’s feeding for an hour, is she actively sucking? Have you tried breast compressions when she stops sucking?

Thanks for your response :-) Yes she's actively sucking - it's more like 45-50 minutes and she has rest periods during. In the evening she's cluster feeding so it's different again.

I've noticed just today really that my nipples have been a little bit stingy and I'm wondering if this is due to her increased sucking and my milk production not quite catching up yet? OR the fact that it's freezing cold and my nipples sting in response to that discomfort.

As I say, my main worry is infection and if it wasn't for the pinkness thing I'd probably be able to dismiss these other things as related to establishing my supply. I've only been bfing for a week.

Thanks again for your advice!

If you've only been BFing for a week, can you call the MWs?

I had bloody scabbed nipples at this stage but it thankfully got better with better latching. I'd get someone to check your latch. Have you tried lanolin in the meantime?

Yes I can call the BF counsellors but not until Monday I don't think.

Have got some lanolin cream - I can't complain about pain too much, it's just the pink nipples that have made me worry about thrush. I had a thrush infection with my last baby and eventually it meant it was game over for breastfeeding as it just got too painful and I / the doctor never got on top of it

congrats on baby!! I think this is completely normal, mine did exactly the same, and now (still breast feeding) at almost 2, they're back to normal. it was almost as if she'd sucked the colour off the end 😂🙈! Your nipples do darker during pregnancy, and the skin pigment can changes, so I guess it's just a side effect from that.

Ooh thanks @barkinatthemoon that's great to know!

Just bumping this for the morning crowd. I want to hear about pink nipples being normal!