Nipple shields advice please?

[xLaura]

My LO won't latch on so I've been pumping (did start out combi feeding for the first few days but have been EBM for awhile now) we've seen lactation specialists who have said he most likely won't be able to latch on properly due to his 'issues' (he's got a few abnormalities such as a set back jaw, making his tounge short amongst other issues) but she suggested a nipple shield and he does manage to have a few sucks on it but it then it's asif because the milk isn't there right away he gets bored and starts pulling away which in turn knocks the nipple sheild off.

So my question is any tips on getting the shield to stay on?

How do I encourage him to keep sucking to get the milk there?

I do squeeze some in the shield for him once it's on so that he knows it's there but he will either drink it and then won't keep sucking it just knock it off and cover us both in milk.

 

[noon_child]

Are you just placing the nipple sheild on to your breast, or did the LC show you how to attach the shield so it is creating suction?

In my mind a shield would make it harder for a baby with a short tongue to extract milk but I'm not an LC...

Have you thought of trying a SNS

 

[xLaura]

Yeah she showed me how to put it on but whilst I was there it kept falling off so I don't know. I've ordered a different make to see if that makes any difference.

What's a SNS?

 

[noon_child]

SNS stands for supplemental nursing system. It basically is a tube which you attach to your breast so that when LO goes to the breast and tries to suck they get expressed milk (or formula) squeezed in to their mouth. They get the idea then that sucking brings milk and it stimulates them to suck more. They can then stimulate milk from the breast while getting extra from the tube.

Have you had any of the LCs from LLL (La Leche League) or NCT come to visit you? they are very knowledgable about all sorts of issues and will often stay for hours (if you need them to) in order to observe all your LOs breastfeeding behaviours.

 

[angelandbump]

I used a nipple shield for 24 hours when my son was a week old because the pain was too much for me to bare one day. The midwife told me to hand express into the shield so baby can smell the milk and encourage them to latch on.

 

[LiLi2]

A little late, but if possible, stimulate your nipples until your milk lets down before latching baby to the shield. They won't have to work for letdown with no reward of milk that way.

Good luck! Hope it's going better now.

 

[daneuse27]

I breastfed with a nipple shield for 13 months I know you're not supposed to use it that long, but I was never able to wean her off them. I do believe they saved breastfeeding for me though. Hope you are having an easier time now.

 

[noon_child]

I breastfed with a nipple shield for 13 months I know you're not supposed to use it that long, but I was never able to wean her off them. I do believe they saved breastfeeding for me though. Hope you are having an easier time now.

Who says you shouldn't? If they aren't causing supply issues and 'saved' breastfeeding for you, why are you embarrassed to have used them? There isn't one correct way to breastfeed and I wish more mums would recognise that. Yes, I wouldn't recommend shields as a first option to everyone but in certain circumstances they can be a great help.

OP you need the right size to make sure the sheild creates pull when you put it on that gets your nipple (if your nipple is able to stick out) in to the nipple of the shield. Obviously it isn't very strong so a baby grabbing or swiping will dislodge it. Are you using the turning inside out technique?

 

[daneuse27]

I breastfed with a nipple shield for 13 months I know you're not supposed to use it that long, but I was never able to wean her off them. I do believe they saved breastfeeding for me though. Hope you are having an easier time now.

Who says you shouldn't? If they aren't causing supply issues and 'saved' breastfeeding for you, why are you embarrassed to have used them? There isn't one correct way to breastfeed and I wish more mums would recognise that. Yes, I wouldn't recommend shields as a first option to everyone but in certain circumstances they can be a great help.

OP you need the right size to make sure the sheild creates pull when you put it on that gets your nipple (if your nipple is able to stick out) in to the nipple of the shield. Obviously it isn't very strong so a baby grabbing or swiping will dislodge it. Are you using the turning inside out technique?

Good point. They were an excellent solution to our problem

 

[yazzy]

I've just started using a nipple shield today, I bought the medela one's. I breastfed my daughter with no problem but my son is a different kettle of fish. He grabs the nipples in his mouth and clamps before he has everything far enough back! My nipples are cracked and sooo painful so I'm hoping the shields help to heal them up.