Nipple Shields?

[3xpire]

So my little one's been given breastmilk via bottle since day four of birth (she was supplemented with formula and I couldnt breastfeed since she was in NICU) and in the past two weeks she has been home with me, I've been trying to get her to latch. So far, I've only gotten a couple successful attempts. Once for about two minutes, and another time, for maybe five minutes until she got fussy and wanted the bottle.

I'm getting REALLY sick of having to pump late at night and early in the morning, and having to worry about pumping bottles when I already have so many chores to do and making sure I have bottles pumped for her. So I've been recommended by a friend to try a nipple shield.

I'm becoming restless with this. I really, really don't want to give up on being able to nurse. I really want to. And I hate that she just won't latch, and only accepts the bottle. She's four weeks, so would this maybe mean that even a nipple shield might be a lost cause or does this usually help no matter the age? Any suggestions? Ideas?

 

[Helen76]

I think it might be worth a try. I used them when I was BF, mine was also in NICU. I'm now expressing as I always found he was hungry after he had fed off me. I found the Medela shields the best ones.

H xx

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

I'm kinda in the same boat. If I'm choosing to breast feed they won't give her a bottle and it'll go down the NG tube and I'll BF whilst here, but she's too small to latch on so I think we'll be here forever. I ordered the Medela medium ones today, express delivery so I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow.

 

[3xpire]

Please do!

 

[Calif]

Yea they're def worth a try. We bought ours at target but they have them everywhere: Walmart, baby's r us etc. I don't regret it at all. The medela ones are super thin. I never had a supply issue from it.

 

[AllyTiel]

It was the only way I was able to breastfeed. I would give it a try! Its better than pumping! I used the shield from when she was born to when she was 2 months old. Then I switched to pumping. It just worked better for me that way.

 

[3xpire]

Since I have to run out and get it before my trip with my fiance in a couple days, I saw they only have standard sizes, which may be too big for my nipples, would it still work just as effective? Or would it not work? I don't have too much time (and sure not spending an extra ten bucks for overnight shipping) to get it, so standard might have to do for now.

 

[Helen76]

Standard size should be absolutely fine. I thought it may be too big for me but it was spot on.

H xx

 

[shoefay]

I have found them a godsend! Medela ones definitely best. He never latched on in hospital and I was expressing and syringing, a 24 hour job!, shields worked first time and been going great. He is 2.5 weeks now and still won't latch so will keep using until I have time to spend encouraging good latch, when I have recovered properly!
Good luck x