Nipple Shield

FlipFlop1025

My little one is one week old. We were instructed to use a nipple shield due to one slightly flatter nipple. We are currently having no issues using the shield, but I would like to wean her off of it. Any advice on weaning from using the shield?

katy0990

I was in the same situation. I used the nipple shield for about a week and then I used it for the first 5 minutes of nursing and then would take it away. At that point he was so annoyed that I had taken my breast away that he latched right on without the shield. After a few feelings, I stopped using it altogether. Pumping has helped to make my nipples less flat, too.

FlipFlop1025

We're trying starting with the shield, then taking it away - some feedings I have more success with it than others. It gets frustrating when it works great one feeding, then doesn't work the next feeding. Just need to be patient I guess. I'll try pumping - do you pump right before a feeding? What has worked for you?

Misty001

I use the shield to draw out the nipple on my right side, then remove  and have baby latch in football hold.  It'll get easier as baby gets bigger, but my pancake side makes the first month tough. I was happy I knew from my son as I was really frustrated when I first started breastfeeding him. Good luck

CecilB93

I've been weaning my LO off the shield and I just have to keep at it. I'll kind of pinch my breast around the edges of the areola to kind of flatten it into a sandwich between my fingers and that helps him a lot, especially if my breast is pretty full and engorged. It's slow, the first few days weaning off you may only get one good feed in without it, but it's progress!! My nipples aren't flat or inverted, LO was just struggling latching for some reason, so it may take a little longer for you to wean than it did me personally, but you can do it!! Just keep working at it and don't feel bad if you have to grab the shield, I still use it from time to time if LO is particularly fussy or a lot for night feedings, he doesn't latch well in the side-lying position sometimes.

mistygenovese

I too have one nipple that is a little more flat than the other and he has trouble latching on. One of the LCs I spoke with suggested pumping for 2-3 minutes on that breast before trying to feed and that will help draw the nipple out and pull some milk down so that he gets milk a little quicker. I don't know about your babies, but my LO wants INSTANT gratification or he screams his little head off and gets exhausted so that has worked out really well for me. 

FlipFlop1025

Thanks everyone for the advice! So glad to know I'm not alone in this and to expect slow progress. I just need to be more patient and try not to get frustrated. We already had one feeding today without the shield - progress! 

ecswim2fast

Good luck and keep at it! I had flat nipples with my first and used the sheild until he could latch without it. You can do it!