white nipple after pumping?

aylafsu88

I recently went back to work and have had to pump during work hours.  I have noticed that after I pump and close my bra back up my nipple starts to really hurt.  When I looked, it was white and is really painful.  I have pumped at home in the past but have never had this happen so I am not sure what is going on.  Has anyone experienced this?

Meganequine

I have vasospasm (I may be spelling that wrong)-- when I pump or nurse in the cold (be it cold weather or air conditioning) my nipples turn a bright purple color and have white in the middle which then fades.  If it's cold my nipple stay sentitive and a little painful for a while after I'm done.   -- Might you have this?  I find it helps to cover them back up right away to keep them "warm".

acbfreire

Are you using the right size flanges?

aylafsu88

acbfreire:

Are you using the right size flanges?

I feel like I am.  I was using the standard flanges that came with my Ameda purely yours pump.  They felt small so I purchased a large flange from PumpinPals. I don't notice the white nipples when I pump at home but that may be because I do not cover back up right away.  At work I immediately cover back up with my nursing bra! 

KD79

It sounds like nipple blanching, which is what happens when your nipple is compressed.  It's more often associated with actual nursing versus pumping.  I would guess your flanges might not be fitting right.  Ameda's website has a picture of good flange fit.  You might want to check that out.

Also, when I nursed my son and pumped, I had to add a little bit of olive oil to the flanges to make pumping comfortable for me.  It really helped, and it's safe for the baby.