Nipple Shields ?

[Abigail8673]

Little info : I have a premie and flat nipples.

My little guy was born at 35 weeks and has a poor latch. doesnt help my nipples are not great. When I was in the NICU with him I only breast fed I knew it would help him get better faster. day three was so rough when my milk came in i was sooo flat and he could get anything. Nurse gave me a nipple shield as a last resort and it was a life saver. He nurses like a champ, gaining a ton of weight, its perfect. seems like a win win but i read bad things about them and lactation consultants seem to shun them. Why? My mother had all four of her kids at 36 weeks (her and I had pre eclampsia) and she used a shield with two of use for a long long time. I know if her it can reduce you milk supply but wouldnt it be the same as if i was pumping? I refuse to feed formula and i thought breast was better then bottle? any advice ? I really want to continue breastfeeding. I love it. and hes improving every day its so good for him but if he cant be weaned and wont eat without a shield is it so bad to just keep using one?

ps** I have been trying to get him to latch on with out it, before feeds, during, after. and I have been rolling my nipples trying to get them to come out. and have considered a breast shell to help pull them out.

 

[Jary]

Hi there! I used nipple shields for my LO in the beginning as she had a poor latch and made me so sore. I was worried at first that I might not be able to feed without but she did eventually and now feeds like a champ.

All the time I used the shields I never had a problem with supply and LO did fine with them. At the end of the day if its working for both of you then go with it! If your LO is thriving then it isn't a problem.

After using the shields I really think they need to be given credit where its due because without them I would have quit.

 

[misspriss]

I've been using nipple shields since LO was born at 33+5 and I have large boobs and flat nipples. Nurse also gave me a nipple shield.

Back in the day when nipple shields were made of rubber instead of silicone they did mess up your supply, but I have had no supply issues with the silicone shields. I have tried Medela and Tommee Tippee ones, the Medela ones are really superior. Much thinner silicone.

We are working our way off of them now, LO is just now able to latch on to my tiny flat nipples (it will eventually happen, I promise!). To be honest, the nipple shields (the medela ones) feel a LOT like actually breastfeeding, so I am sure my nipples are getting the correct stimulation to keep supply up.

I would suggest buying a few, so you can wash them all at once and not have to for a while. Since LO is still in the NICU, you will need to wash with warm soapy water every time you use them and maybe even sanitize once per day. At least, that is what LC said. After your LO reaches term or you are more comfortable with it, you can just rinse and use a few times between washes. Breastmilk doesn't grow bacteria for like 6-8 hours. During the night or when I am out, I just wipe with burp cloth.

I would suggest getting a pacifier keeper or something. I got the tommee tippee shields and they came with a case. I hate the shields, but the case was worth the $8. I use it to carry the shield with me when I go out, or keep it by the bed with me and stuff.

As long as LO is happy and gaining weight and your supply is fine. The shields are just an annoyance to you. At least, that is what my lactation consultant said.

 

[misspriss]

Oh and I tried TheraShells, no help at all.

I am not sure I would recommend it, but the day I got him to latch on without the shield, I had tried to offer him a pacifier (which he wouldn't really take, he just spits it out). He was sleepy and such, and we were laying down to use (the one position he never would nurse with the shields)...

 

[Jary]

I have avent ones. I think the fact that they are larger than my nipples helped LO suck the breast as well as the nipple into her mouth

 

[BabyB2]

I'm having similar issues. I have flat nipples and my little boy can't latch without nipple shields, and he was overdue and is quite a big baby, so it isn't just an issue for premature babies. I get conflicting opinions from different midwives, some warning me of the possibility of reduced supply and suggesting I express as well as breast feed with the shields...errr...exactly when do they suggest I do that in a 2 hourly feeding schedule?? Others have said that as long as baby is gaining weight nicely and is doing lots of wet and pooey nappies and that the poo looks normal (mustard yellow) not to worry about the shields as he's obviously thriving and feeding well enough to get the rich hind milk. Keep persevering with trying to latch without the shields...ie once the shield has drawn out the nipple enough remove it, but it sounds to me like your baby is doing fine with the shields and you're doing great!

 

[Kellen]

We used a shield on the right side for three weeks thanks to an inverted nipple. My LO was not a premie, but was in the NICU (breathing is optional? Right?). After three weeks she had pulled my nipple out enough that she could latch part of the time without it. Finally one day she started to refuse the shield.

The side I used the shield one was and is the heaviest producer. So no sopply problems at all. Our LC said the shield supply issues really only show up if you are still using them at six months.

 

[CertainTurton]

Hi, I used shields exclusivly for the first 3 months with my DD due to flat nipples. I tried on and off to get her to latch without them but she was having none of it until then. Like a PP said, the supply thing is mainly from the past when they were hard rubber so dont worry too much about that, just keep an eye on weight and poos Please also dont feel bad about it, it can be such a faff, especially when feeding in public but the main thing is that you are bf and thats great - I did occasionally get latch envy when friends could just pop their LOs on But you will get there.
I also agree once your LO is at term I was told to rinse/wipe with a wetwipe when out before use and sterilise once a day, so I had about 4 I rotated. The medela ones were best for me (come in 3 sizes) and the case is very helpful!
I almost didnt bf because she wouldnt latch even after 3 days (the mw had even gone to get formula for me) then another mw came with a shield, she saved the day!!! I did get mixed responses from mws but dont let them bully you...! Also the rolling of the nips does help, and I will say that mine are much more perky even now after 9 mths of not feeding so it may be easier next time....(not that i expect you are thinking about that yet )

 

[sevenofnine]

I was given one in hospital as LO was so tiny at birth. (Born 40+4 but at 6lb, 1oz. She had trouble latching.)

They were a lifesaver for a while! We started the weaning process at 2.5 months. It took a month of hard work, but now we're shield free. It was very hard to wean, but worth it and now she eats like a champ!

I say go with what works for you!!