Need Breastfeeding Help with New Baby

Do whatever works. If you are both are getting stressed out without the shield then use it. I can't imagine how it could be a bad habit when it's making the entire feeding process better for both of you.

I too used a nipple shield, I HAD flat nipples and my son absolutely could not latch without it. I ended up using it for 6 weeks, but I believe the lactation consultants didn't really want me using it longer than 3 weeks for fear that it could decrease my milk supply. So, they had me pumping after 5 feedings a day to make sure my supply stayed up and boy did it!!! I think the pumping also helped to draw out my nipples. Between the shield and pumping, my nipples are no longer flat! :) :)

Around 5 1/2 weeks I started to take the nipple shield off half way through the day feedings only (I didn't want to mess with night time yet!) And he latched! Then I went for the entire feeding at the day and realized he was actually feeding and latching better without it!!!! So we started to do it at night too!

All of this was also through the guidance of the lactation consultants at my hospital. Now at 3 months old, my son will eat off each side in 5 minutes each and be great!!!

Good luck...congratulations!

Jennifer, I found a great website for you.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/wean-shield.html
Hope this helps. Don't give up.

I highly recommend that you talk with the lactation consultant at the hospital where you had your son. If they don't have one, you might try to get ahold of Kathy Freeman at Washington Regional in Fayetteville. There is a way to wean your son from the nipple shield, but it may take help doing so. You can also contact a local La Leche League Leader to get help with this.

I had a flat nipple, and so they gave me a nipple shield to use, and my daughter got "stuck" on it, and wouldn't nurse without it. She used the nipple shield until she was weaned at 11 months. There were a few problems that I will try to avoid the shield next time... First, I found it harder to nurse discretely in public with the shield. Second, she got thrush, and I think the nipple shield may have contributed, so make certain you clean it well. Other than that, it worked for us... oh, and if you two get "stuck" like we did, they sell extra nipple shields at Target... I melted one one evening when I forgot about it on the stove. Good luck!

Do not fear the sheild. It is just a tool, think about all the other "mommy aids" we have now. My son latched well but continued to use the sheild for about four weeks. One day he just spit the sheild out and latched back on. If it makes your breastfeeding experience a positive one then by all means use that little thing for all its worth. By the by, they sell them at Target so you can get a nice rotating stock, it was so annoying to keep cleaning the same one. Good luck, and remember yo ucan always contact your local La Leche League, they are such a great resource.

Hi Jennifer! I had to use the nipple shield during the first couple of months of nursing my daughter. Gradually, my nipples became less inverted, and she stopped struggling to eat. I know what you mean by being frustrated & worried. I did too. I figured out that it was okay to go w/out the shield when it stopped really hurting when she suckled. That meant she was latching on correctly & the nipple was properly positioned in her mouth. I'm not sure how long you've been using it, but don't worry about how long it is taking to get off the shield. All of the lactation consultants I spoke with told me there is nothing harmful or wrong about using the shields the entire time you breastfeed, if that's what works for you & your baby. In our situation, when my daughter was almost 2 months old, I would allow my daughter to latch on & get the nipple popped out, then take off the shield & see if she could comfortably stay on. If she couldn't, I'd put the shield back on. If she could, then she'd finish that feeding without it. It was a slow 2-3 week process, because if she was tired or super hungry, then she wouldn't have the patience to go without the shield. But, for us, this is how she came off of it. She is now 10 months old, and has been a great breastfeeding baby! Best of luck in your situation, Jennifer!

ask your pediatrician and lactation nurse about the shield. However, to make sure he latches on correctly without the shield, hold your breast like a hamburger, the whole breast and serve it up to him when he has a big wide mouth cry. He has to get more than the nipple in there. Once he figures it out he will be able slurp it up on his own like a wet noodle. I breast fed 2 babies for one year each, they were always fat and happy. I also recommend the laying down position when he gets a little bigger, it's more comfortable for you. I think you should ask your doctors though about the shield, I've never used one.

Hi Jennifer
Congrats on your new baby, as well as your decision to breastfeed.
I know this is easier said than done, but the best thing you can do is RELAX :) When you are tense, your little one becomes tense. It all goes downhill from there.

If he has the correct number of wet & dirty diapers for his age, & is growing/gaining weight,then he is getting enough food.

You may want to start the feedings with the shield to get his hunger under control. Then remove the shield and try to get him to latch on directly to you. It may take several feedings before you no longer need to start with the shield. But if you start with the shield, you can make sure that he isn't too frustrated from hunger while trying to learn to latch on.

I will email you the name & number of a lactation consultant if you wish.

All the best to you & congrats again!

Do what works and is easiest for both of you! Keep using the nipple shield. I breastfed my daughter for six months using a shield the entire time. The only drawback to the shield is that it can reduce milk production by 20%. But if you pump your breasts as well, you should have no trouble producing enough milk to keep feeding your baby as long as you want to. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with continuing to breastfeed using the shield until you decide to wean him. If there are lactation consultants in your area, use them. You can get an individual consultation and a breastfeeding plan customized for you and your baby if need be. The lactation consultant can answer all your breastfeeding questions for you.

I had to use one of those also. The nurse said to wean him off ASAP. I decided that it didn't hurt to use it and he liked it better. He is almost 10 weeks old now and about a week and a half ago he decided he likes the straight breast better and won't use the shield. I didn't see any harm so I didn't listen to the nurse. They also say wake him up to feed him. I think he will wake up whens he hungry. He knows better than i do. Just my opinion hope it helps.

Hey Jennifer! I, too, used a nipple shield with both of my daughters. It IS better to discontinue using the shield if you are having trouble with milk supply, but if you aren't having trouble, I say keep using the shield for a little while longer!

I used one for about five months with my first child, then she was able to nurse on her own without the shield. With my second daughter I only used the shield for a couple of weeks. She just decided to latch right on and take off with nursing.

There's not much worse than getting frustrated with nursing, and the more stress you're under the more trouble the little one is going to have, too. My lactation consultant suggested that I try nursing without the shield every week or so until I felt like the baby was OK without it. It worked out beautifully for us.

One thing, make sure to boil your shields between nursings! You probably already know this, but no one told me this with my first baby, so we had a mess on our hands... You don't want to end up with a bad case of thrush!

Good luck with nursing your little one!