Nipple Shields?

[Millnsy]

Hello

Am new to this part of the site. My daughter was born 3 weeks ago, 6 weeks early. She was given formula in a cup for the first 3 days in hospital until my milk came in but she has been breastfeeding since then, initally EBM. She had trouble latching on in the hospital as she was too weak (lazy?!) to suck so one of the support workers suggested nipple shields. She says she wasn't supposed to recommend them but it might help. They have worked like a dream and made feeding very easy for me.

However, our delightful Health Visitor came last week and told me off for using them. She said that in the long term then can inhibit milk flow. I have tried to put her straight on the breast and she will now latch on but only for an absolute maximum of 10 mins at a time. She will feed for up to 30 mins with the shields.

I know other people who fed using shields for a whole year without a problem.

Has anyone else had any successes or failures using the shields? IS there anyone who's supply has dried up using shields? Does anyone have any advice about weaning babies off the shields and on to the breast?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wishingonastar]

hi, i don't have personal experience with shields as they didn't work for me (painful latch even with them) but i looked into them and it can definately mess up your milk supply as baby cannot draw off as much milk as if they latch without a shield

to wean your baby off it, i would suggest:
- putting her to breast while asleep/half asleep so she's not aware of the difference in 'textures'
- using a shield initially in a feed then taking it off after a couple of mins
- google 'hunger cues in a newborn' so you can catch her hunger as soon as she gets hungry, rather than waiting til she's got established hunger and put her to the breast when she shows early hunger signs...if you put her to breast without shield when she's 'starving' she'll probably be upset and frustrated as she's now decided milk comes through the shield and if she is presented with no shield she'll likely panic

you may find she is feeding for less time on the shield as it's easier to pull off more milk and quicker so she can feed less...isabel only ever fed for max of 10 mins as a newborn and now only feeds for 3-4 mins...so long as your LO is content between feeds, steadily gaining weight and producing 5-6 wet nappies a day she's getting enough

 

[cutie4evr01]

I used one for a few weeks in the beginning but don't now. I have a borderline supply, but I'm pretty sure that's nothing to do with using a shield. Our pediatrician said the new shields (silicone) stimulate the nipple as much as normal and using it shouldn't affect supply. My baby definitely fed faster once we were off the shield, but that may be due to her just getting older and more efficient as well. I've known people to use them their whole breastfeeding experience (1 year +) with no problem.

 

[Hanna]

I have used the meleda nipple shields (thin silicone ones) for 2 months now and they are great. my baby doesnt latch on otherwise. i havent had any flow problems.

 

[netty]

with my first son i used nipple shield for 4 months - i never had a problem with them and he wouldnt latch on with out them

i didnt need them at all with my second son

good luck

 

[rwhite]

Thanks for this thread I haven't heard that it can inhibit milk flow...I do know that for some reason my midwife is keen to get me feeding with just the straight nipple soon though

I'm using nipple shields due to my nipples being inverted - getting him to latch on is just a bit of a battle when I'm not wearing them as he gets really frustrated and so do I. But they've been fantastic, he can just latch on without any help at all from me so I'm all for them

x

 

[LoobyLou75]

I used nipple shields from the start due to sore and cracked nipples and i got to the point where my LO wouldn't feed off me unless the shields were on. I eventually threw them out and feed her EBM but occasionally I do keep persevering and trying to put her to the breast. she doesn't stay as long as i'd like but she's better than she was.

 

[Millnsy]

Thank you all for your replies, it has made me feel more confident about just following my instincts. I will continue to perservere without them but am not going to beat myself up if we can't do away with them entirely.

Thanks again!

 

[loopy_lou]

Thanks for the post I have ordered my nipple sheilds in the hope that baby will sucessfuly latch on the replies you have had has helped me be more confident of using them

 

[Pearl_vincent]

I use Medela Nipple Shields for my one month old baby. I also have an inverted nipple, but my sis a nurse and having twoo daughters herself advise me to just use them temporarily but I cant get rid of them now, I tried latching it on my breast nipple and it hurts like crazy, and within this month the baby feed like almost every now and then. So I think I will keep using them unitl there's a little gap on feeding time, so as to give rest to an aching nipple. I also fear latching the baby on nipple shield when I'm sleeping because sometimes the flap covers his nose, its actually scary.