Nipple shields

[Flannz94]

Hi ladies,

So I've been using nipple shields to breastfeed DD. I have a flat nipple on the left side and after giving birth my right side was quite sore and cracked, so when my milk came in we started with the shields. It's been going great and I like that I can still feed her, she has a feed every 3 hours and is gaining weight perfectly. But now I would like to start weaning her off them. Today I let her on the right side for a few minutes then took the shield away and put her back on, she latched instantly and had a brilliant feed. At her next feed (on the left side) I tried to do this again, no luck, I just couldn't get her To open her mouth wide enough.

Does anyone have any tips, tricks or advice on getting baby to latch on to a flat nipple? I don't mind using the shields at all, but if I don't have to use them that would also be better

TIA xx

 

[BlingyGal]

I have (or had) flat nipples when my daughter was born. I used a shield in the same way as you did. Your nipples will get stretched out by the sucking eventually and she will be able to latch. At least that's my experience. Just keep doing what you're doing, she will definitely figure it out

Good luck!

 

[beagleowner]

No experience with flat nipples but definitely had experiences with nipple shields. I would leave it off the right and get her used to latching and nursing without the shield, then slowly wean her off of it on the left.

 

[Flannz94]

Thanks girls! It's been going well so far, she even latched on to my left side today without much guidance hoping to ditch the nipple shield in the coming weeks!

 

[mrsclt]

My son was nearly 5 months before he could latch on well enough to feed without killing my nipples, it may just depend on when their mouth is big enough to fit more in lol. He also took longer to go without the shield on one side over the other