Nipple trauma exclusively pumping

[cds5163]

Hi mamas, just needed some advice. This morning when I woke up my boob felt a little achey and I got on the pump. Everything was going well until I decided to power pump. I was going to do 10 minutes off and ten minutes on after I completed my usual 30 minutes. I don't know if I over did it but it was in the highest setting on the spectra pump and i started feeling pinching. I ignored it and continued playing with my daughter but then i looked down to make sure i wasn't leaking and i saw blood in the milk. Im freaking out right now. My nipple doesn't look cracked. I can't tell if its internal. Although my boobs feel fine. My nipple just hurts a little. Im scared to continue pumping but I'm going to get engorged. I don't really know what to do. Has anyone experienced this? Has anyone had just one working boob? I just feel like this one is done for.

Hi, how are you getting on?

This happened to me. Turned out it was abrasion from the suction cup rubbing against my nipple. I was so scared at the time though! I never used it again. I got a Hakaa manual pump which was actually better! (Pull it back/pull inside out almost for better suction). Put the milk in bottle for baby, lots of nipple cream and warm compress to massage out the blockages. Put baby on boob when you can, they are great at releasing blockages. Good luck, and don't give up yet! xxx

@cds5163 are you ok? x

@Nstarr oh hi thank you for checking in. I'm thinking my nipple was being sucked into the "drain" of the flange. I will most definitely be paying more attention next time because that experience was traumatizing. Ive been taking it easy on the pumping too and keeping the pump low.

@cds5163 yep same here. Very slightly rubbing against the flange which caused the bleeding. The Haakaa manual pump is about £20 and is effortless and works really well so a perfect back up. Good luck with your pumping. What we do for our babies, ay? You're a great mum!

@Nstarr thank you! I've also have a hakka for back up but I didn't really get the hang of it and it hurt so i just stick with the spectra. I've used it for a 3 of my babies and this was the only incident I've had.