Raynaud’s Syndrome And Breastfeeding

Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs when blood vessels spasm, preventing blood from getting to a particular area of the body. It can be triggered by a sudden drop in temperature.

The effects of Raynaud’s Syndrome are not confined to the fingers, toes, nose, earlobes, chin or cheeks.  In some cases, the disease may also affect the nipples, making it difficult and sometimes causing pain for the breastfeeding mother.  It is much more common than generally believed.

In order to diagnosis Raynaud’s Syndrome, other possible causes of breastfeeding nipple pain are first eliminated, such as improper latching or positioning, or the baby pinching the nipple with his or her mouth while feeding.  A common test is to expose the nipple to cold temperature, and if two-color (biphasic) or tri-color (triphasic) color change occurs, with or without pain, Raynaud’s Syndrome is suspected.

Typically, Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs after the feeding is over, once the baby is already off the breast. It is believed that the outside air is cooler than the inside of the baby’s mouth. When the baby comes off the breast, the nipple is its usual colour, but within minutes or even seconds of the baby unlatching, the nipple will start to turn white, which may be accompanied by a burning pain. As blood returns to the area around the nipple, normal colour returns and burning pain may reduce to a throbbing pain. This spasming can repeat itself over a period of a few minutes, sometimes even over an hour or two.

Improving the baby’s latch and warm compresses have been known to help. Layering of clothing, with the goal of staying warm and avoiding chills, will also help prevent constriction of the capillaries.  A calcium blocker prescription is sometimes recommended and has been demonstrated to have minimal to no effect on the nursing infant.

Moderate aerobic exercise, rest, stress management, avoidance of caffeinated and tobacco products also usually recommended.

Breastfeeding problems due to Raynauld’s Syndrome are considered to be a highly-treatable.

A possible link between the use of breast implants and Raynaud’s Penomenon and other auto-immune diseases is under study.