Early recognition of rusty pipe syndrome to avoid disruption of breast feeding

A 30-year-old primigravida delivered a healthy term female infant. As the newborn latched poorly in the first hours postpartum, mother performed hand expression and painlessly collected brown-coloured colostrum from both breasts (figure 1). Mother was initially advised by doctors not to breastfeed, and newborn was fed infant formula. Mother’s breasts and nipples were normal on examination. Subsequently, with the provisional diagnosis of rusty pipe syndrome (RPS), mother was supported to resume breast feeding. Baby’s latch improved, and mother exclusively breast fed by day …