Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

They gave these to me in the hospital since Sasha was having problems latching on. I try to not use them sometimes to wean her off of them, which she latches sometimes, but after her struggling, I give up and just want her to eat.

It makes nursing a total PITA, aside from it being incredibly easy for her to latch, and I am worried about nursing her away from home with these-- especially when I have to do it in public, although I usually bring a bottle of BM when I know I will have to feed her when out.

Anyone successful with stopping use? I mean, I kinda need them -- but, I would like to try to not use them anymore.

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

I remember a mom at the breast feeding class was given them b/c last pregnancy she had latching difficulty. The midwife teaching told her to use those shield things b/c they will help with latching and help the nipple stretch. I would think that you wouldnt need after the nipple has become stretch ..

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

I used them....and it was a little difficult to get DD off them. But I would just offer without them and she would get frustrated and then I would wind up using them. Eventually, she got better at BFing and just didn't need them anymore. Just keep doing what you are doing and eventually she will get it. It is a big PITA! But they helped a lot when I needed them.

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

I rue the day the lazy nurse in the hospital gave me those damned things rather than take the time to help Madelyn latch. I HATED using them, but it was the only way I could BF.

I consulted an LC to help me wean Mads off it. It was hard, but every day I would try to get Madelyn to nurse on the breast without the shield. Even if it was for 1 minute that she was on, it was a success. SLOWLY she'd stay latched longer and longer until finally one day, we didn't use it anymore.

Baby steps- keep up with it and you'll get her off it.

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

well in the beginning that was the only way i could nurse, i actually gave up after two months and just exclusively pumped, they were a pain!

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

I used them with Frankie from when he was one week till when he was 4 weeks old! When I started with them, we'd use them the entire feeding. Then I started to wean him by taking it off 10 minutes into the feeding, then 5 minutes and so on till he eventually latched on fine without it! Now he's feeding like a champ!

Good Luck

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

We needed them. DD had problems latching. We used sheilds for about 3-4 weeks and then weaned off of them. After that we nursed successfully and quite easily until she was 13 months.

IMO it's worth the inconvenience of the shield for a few weeks. I know it makes it a PITA. DD used to knock it off constantly. It will all be very easy soon.

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

I used them because of the pain. I remember being SO relieved the first time I used them. I think DD was 4 days old.
I used them for awhile, about 2 or 3 months before I stopped. I was afraid of the pain coming back

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

Yup, I needed to use them. They were a godsend in the beginning. But as you said, they started to get old really fast. I think the most annoying thing was that sometimes the seal against the breast wasn't the greatest, and I started to notice that the milk was leaking out the bottom and not getting into her mouth

I'll be honest in saying that weaning off of them was NOT easy (because I needed them too!). We started slow. I would start to nurse with the shield, and then I enlisted the help of DH to help her relatch without it. I'd give her about 2 minutes to get going, I'd quickly break her latch, remove the shield, and try to relatch her. Even 30 seconds at a time is progress! She will learn to go longer and longer.

DD and I finally "had it out" one day when I refused to stop using the shields. There was a LOT of screaming and she even refused to nurse for about 1/2 a day (I gave her bottles instead), but I would keep offering the breast.

Eventually she got it. And I saw a HUGE increase in my supply once she stopped using them!

Good luck--if you need anything please FM, I've SOOOO been there

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

I used them in the beginning too. One day I just said "screw these things" and started nursing without them. To my surprise DS didn't miss it and was fine without it.

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

Re: Did/does anyone use nipple shields to BF?

DD wouldn't latch on only one side so a Lactation Consultant gave me these. They helped a lot. But, she told me that they can decrease your supply so to not use them for too long. Since I only used it on one side the decrease in supply was obvious when I'd pump - the side that I'd use the shield on when nursing made 1/2 the amount of milk. When I realized that I weaned off of the shield. It took about a week, then DD was fine without them.