Nipple shield users

SharonWantsABaby

My LO had a great latch until a few days ago and all of a sudden, she has a shallow latch and she CHOMPS on my nipples while she eats.

Horrible!

I got a medela nipple shield today, and I tried it twice. The first time, she took it, but I can't really tell if she's getting enough milk. There seems to be a little bit of milk residue on it afterward, but I don't know...

The 2nd time I tried it, she wanted no part of it. 

Does anyone have any wisdom for me here? I appreciate it!

MiaVonT

we had to use one ... let some milk come into the shield so LO will know more will come from there if she works at it .....

erika_sue

Honestly, I would consult a LC to work on her latch without the shield.  I used one for 3 months straight because of inverted nipples, and I hated it.  It was a pain to NIP, a pain to clean all the time, and a pain to wean her off of it.  Also, using a nipple shield for too long can cause a drop in supply, since the baby can't stimulate the breast as well.  I started off with an oversupply, but am probably going to have to start supplementing soon if my supply doesn't pick back up after weaning DD from the shield.

nicolehoppe

i had to use one for the first 8 weeks.  it is really important to get the right size.  a shield too small may restrict the ducts (per my lc). 

my shield would fill up with some milk during use.  start it with a little milk in it to keep you lo latched on, perhaps?

i was also advised to pump when using the shield because there is less skin-to-skin contact and stimulation.

gl!  the shield was not ideal, but it did help out greatly in the beginning.