Nipple Shields

singingmama13

So I am curious what your opinions are on nipple shields and weight gain. I'm looking for experiences from other momma's. 

My daughter is now almost 6 months old, and weighed 7 pounds 5 ounce when she born. After she was born I successfully nursed her 3 times in the hospital without a shield. One of the nurses came into my room at I was nursing and she gave me a nipple shield because she said my nipples were a little flat. Being the first time mom that I am, I took the nipple shield and started using it. I have tried to get her to not use it, and she refuses to eat without it. 

Up until her most recent appointment, she had a steady weight gain of about 1 pound per month. She is really small by nature, but my mom said I was always that small too! At her 4 month appointment, she weighed 11 4, and now, she is almost 6 months and weighs only 12 2. I am really worried, and I"m wondering if any of you mom's who have used a nipple shield noticed that it affects weight gain? 

I am trying to eliminate what I think it could be. It's either the nipple shield is preventing enough milk intake, I have a low milk supply, or it's her acid reflux. I'm just worried about my baby and think i'm going to get a LC to come look at me nurse. 

Any of you going through something similar? 

amberdt03

I think at 4months their weight gain slows somewhat. As long as she has plenty of wet/dirty diapers and is gaining weight, I wouldn't worry about it. I would address any concerns with your pedi.

caitlinmonteith

I am also a first time mom who was given a nipple shield in the hospital. They said the same about my nipples, so I took it because I wanted him to eat. My son was born at 7 pounds and at 8 months he is now 17 pounds. I do not think the shield has anything to do with weight gain, the child will suck to get the milk out they want/need. I still use the nipple shield because I was never able to get him to latch without it (tongue tie problems) and he is fine. One thing about breast feeding is that the child needs to empty a breast to get the 'fatty' milk out, not use the foremilk. That is where the nutrients are.

Faith7

I've used a nipple shield since the 3rd day--for my own comfort.  liittle one's weight  gain has been fine (12 lbs at 2 mos).

June18Bride05

This is my 3rd baby, I have had to use the nipple shield exclusively with all three of my kids.  My older two were 9 and 8 months respectively when I stopped nursing.  All of my kids were big babies at birth, but then were slow to gain.  My daughter was 9.4 at birth and 12.4 at her 4 month appointment.  My oldest was 8.4 at birth and not 12 lbs until close to 6 months!  With my oldest I was really worried and did numerous weighted feedings, but now I realize that this is just how my kids are.  If your pedi is not worried, I wouldn't be. 

lsleeper22

I had a lot of trouble getting my little man to gain over the first month because a hospital nurse also recommended a shield.  I have no idea why, but I'm hearing this a lot.  Anyway, after 3-4 weeks of not gaining well, I went to see a LC who helped me get him to latch on perfectly w/o the shield.  Within a week he was already gaining much better... problem solved.  Who knows if this is the same for you, but I'd definitely support your plan to see a LC.  They will weigh her to see exactly what she's getting and if you can get her latched on w/o the shield (which by the way was so amazing, it honestly makes nursing so much harder as it is a frustrating extra step).  Best of luck to you! 

waterleaper17

I was also started on the nipple shield in the hospital but my daughter really could not latch due to tongue tie. It was repaired and she also wouldn't stop with the shield until 2 weeks ago. She is 16 weeks now. I noticed absolutely no slower weight gain. She was only 6 pounds when we left the hospital and was 11 13 ounces at her 3 month visit, the weight gain issue I read had to do with the older larger nipple shields, I used the silicone Medela shields. Good luck to you, but I think you just have a tiny tot. As long as your md says she is healthy I think your fine. Have you tried pumping and giving bottle..? That way you know she is getting the ounces? Maybe give her one pumped bottle a day and see if it makes a difference after a couple weeks.