question about Reynauds

[LooL00]

I'm expecting dc3 in July and breastfed dc1 and dc2 for about 8 months each. I have Reynauds and was reading that it can affect BF . What should I be aware of? This is definitly MN inspired anxiety as I had no trouble bf the other dcs.

I have Reynauds and have never heard that it can affect BFing - I BF both mine.

Its possible to get reynauds of the nipple although I'm not sure if its any more likely in an existing reynauds sufferer. Its also called white nipple/blanching of the nipple and - I think - vasospasm of the nipple is the same thing too (although I could be wrong.)

I have it and its painful, you get a sharp-ache after feeding and if you get cold/walk into a colder room. I think there's information on kellymom.com about it.

Whilst it does hurt quite a bit, the pain isn't constant (you can watch the blood return to it and once its pink the pain subsides!) To me its no different to the other breastfeeding pitfalls of cracked nipples/thrush - it hurts but not enough of a big deal to stop bf. Good luck.

Thanks herethere, I'll look on kellymom.

I had reynauds of the nipple with dc1. It was misdiagnosed as thrush for 5 months. So 5 months of more and more extreme thrush treatments including excluding all sugar from my diet. It got worse and worse until I had to stop breastfeeding - dc1 was 11 months so not really a problem.

The main thing I've done with dc2 to stop it coming on is to never feed outside and make sure I'm always warm (lots of jumpers) but if you already have reynauds maybe you do that anyway. With dc2 I have had a few twinges but managed to keep it at bay so far.

Agree with herethere - kellymom is the best place to look for info but if you google reynauds nipple then there is lots of useful info out there.

I have had some probs with dd2 none with dd1 oddly. She has a much stronger and not very good latch and mouth movements which commpletely flattened the nipple and it cut the blood supply off to the nipple. Hurt like £$%^. She's 10 weeks now and the nipple still blanches but it doesn't hurt at all. Shields helped as they made her open her mouth more and realise that she didn't need to be so vicious!

If you haven't had probs before I don't see why you should this time though!