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I'm currently pregnant and have been breastfeeding ds for 22 months now. In just the past few weeks I have been getting a terrible pain like large needles being stuck into my nipples when I get cold. I googled it and dr google suggested vasospasm, but considering I've been breastfeeding for so long does it make sense for vasospasm to develop now, halfway through my second pregnancy?
I'm not pregnant, but this happens to me too, every Winter I have been breastfeeding. I don't think it is vasospasm for me either as I thought it would have occurred a lot earlier but gosh darn it is bloody painful!
The body does weird and wonderful things when pregnant!
Do you see the nipples blanch (go white then purple then normal in the space of a few minutes)?
Are you low in magnesium (be careful with supplements when pregnant - don't know if they are ok)
Haven't noticed blanching, but then I haven't been looking for it! I don't think I'm magnesium deficient, I haven't been having any cramps or dizziness or anything. It is so painful!
A couple of sites I came across sell nipple warmers lol
I'm 26 weeks and BF my nearly 2.5 year old. It is vasospasm for me :( I knew what it felt like because I'd had it the first 6 weeks with DD, it hurts like mad, but has come and gone somewhat over the last few months. Other than keeping them warm, the only thing that helps me is being extra vigilant with attachment. I hope you find something that works for you.
In pregnancy your nipples are more sensitive, and feeding a toddler often means a lazy attachment or teething etc leading to nipple damage. I always get vasospasm when my nipples are even slightly damaged. It goes away again but man it's painful. Nipple warmers sound like a good idea. Otherwise a warm facecloth or heat pack before feeds could help.
The thing with vasospasm too is it is a circulatory thing, so you need to keep everything warm. Hands, face, toes etc. I would recommend feeding in the bath in a heated room or somewhere you are really warm and see if it helps.
It does sound an awful lot like Vasospasm. I had it in the early weeks of breastfeeding with both my girls and it's awfully painful. The only thing that really helped me was medication, Nifedipine actually. It's a blood pressure medication which really helps relieve Vasospasm. I also had breast warmers, they offered some extra relief.
Mine was caused both times by nipple damage. Once my nipples were well and truly healed and BFing was going well, it settled. Both times it was several weeks in (lots of feeding issues each time) but the nifedipine really helped while I rode out the storm and then I was able to wean off it completely and didnt experience any more pain for the rest of our BF journeys (11 mths and 2 weeks with DD1 and roughly 1 year and 2-3 weeks with DD2.)
I hope you're able to get some relief soon. It's an awful feeling especially when things like a cool breeze or simply looking in the fridge causes such pain!