Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

I am only pumping. DS is in NICU.
I get random very sharp radiating pain in my nipples. Lasts a few seconds. But it stops me in my tracks.
Is this normal?

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

While you're pumping? Or afterward?
I would get something like that afterward when I would pump on too strong of a setting. When I decreased the suction, I didn't get those pains.
Not sure if it's the same thing you're experiencing.

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

I think it's normal...I get it too...at least I hope it's normal!!!

Pain on the side could be a clogged duct. I have had that a few times. Warm compress before pumping and massage towards nipple while pumping. Afterwards, ice. Ibuprofen if need be.

Good times.

Sorry your DS is in the nick..me DD was in for a month...sucks

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

When you get that pain thoroughly check your breast. Is it hard or warm to the touch? Also check your nipple. Is the tip of your nipple white when you're feeling that sharp pain?
Looking for visible differences helped me diagnose my plugs and vasospasms.

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

How long are you going in between pumping sessions. My DD was in the NICU for 6 weeks before coming home, so I was a pumping master for a while, lol. I pumped every three hours religiously. If I didn't, I'd get engorged and start feeling pain. It was always relieved once I pumped out.

Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

I am pumping every 2-3 hours. One 4 hour stretch at night.
I am massaging while I pump. I have hot compresses.
I'm in pain in one spot. And that radiating pain is random and hurts So bad.

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

I know I would often get a few seconds of awful pain when it was time for me to pump again. I believe it's the pain of letdown because I still get it when I nurse DD, always on the side she's not nursing on. But that was always in the center, not on the sides.

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

it could be your milk letting down. it can be painful in the beginning. Check for hard lumps and look up the symptoms of thrush. If neither of those apply, its likely just your let down and it will get less painful.

Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

It sounds like let down.

Re: Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

You may be using wrong sized flanges

Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

Could be letdown. Or maybe vasospasm?

Breast feeding / pumping moms, pain question

Not really sure if this would apply to your pain but I thought I would add my 2 cents because it took a while for someone to figure out why I was experiencing pain and I was so grateful when I finally got some relief. I have raynauds syndrome and it was causing A LOT of pain while BF. A lactation consultant told me to watch sudden temperature changes and cover up as soon as I was done pumping. Pain disappeared with that advice.