Community› The Bump Message Boards› Parenting
Parenting
New Discussion

Did anyone BF with a shield?

MrsStubbsMrsStubbs member
in Parenting

He was having a hard time latching while we were at the hospital so they gave me a shield and it works great. I just can't get him to latch without it, is there any hope for us now?

I did use it for a while with DD because I was so sore, she was able to go back and forth so it wasn't a problem with her.

Report Reply to Post

Re: Did anyone BF with a shield?

  • summerbrideDCsummerbrideDC
    Yes, there's hope! I used a shield w/ Ethan for weeks because it was the only way he would latch and with practice we got rid of it.  Any chance you can meet w/ a lactation consultant or find a LLL meeting near you to get some support/advice?
    Report Reply
  • MrsStubbsMrsStubbs member
    summer- I am kind of upset about that. I called the hospital and they took my number last week to have the LC call me and I still haven't heard from her. I need to call them again.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • buler23buler23
    We used a sheild in the beginning to get DS use to latching.  A month or so in, we did not need it any more.  Good Luck!
    Report Reply
  • summerbrideDCsummerbrideDC

    Definitely call again! Also, any chance your hospital has a BF'ing support group?  Mine did and it was so helpful for me early on.  Just a bunch of moms and one LC that met every week to answer questions and encourage each other.  

    Just keep working with the shield.  I would start him with the shield, then a few minutes in, I'd try to take it off and see if he would latch.  Other times I started w/o it and added it a few minutes later--it was all trial and error, to see what worked best for us.  

    good luck!!! 

    Report Reply
  • BJKLBJKL member

    I second what Summer is telling you. 

    Badger the hospital until you get ahold of the LC.  They can be a god send.

    I got my son weaned off the shield by trying w/o at the begining of every feeding.  Make sure to give him a few minutes to work at it even if he gets frustrated right a way.  Try to stay calm...I know that was the hardest part for me.  I would get flustered and then just put the shield on so we could move forward but it might take some work but your DS and your supply with thank you!

     

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker image
    Report Reply
  • Glendi2.0Glendi2.0

    just another perspective... I used a shield with DD#1 and never weaned her off it... literally! She absolutely could/would not (I'll never be sure which!) BH w/out one, so I eventually gave up trying. I BF'd 'til she was about 12 or so months old and the only reason I stopped was b/c my supply started to get wonky  (and I'm pretty sure that was b/c I was already pregnant with #2, bot b/c of the shield...) my doc told me early on, if the shield doesn't seem to be affecting supply and baby is growing, don't lose sleep over it. So I didn't!

    (oddly enough, DD#2 never needed the shield- guess some kids are just better at BFing than others!)

    A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garrett
    image7_0002 A ~ 2.7.06 S ~ 9.2.07
    Report Reply
  • FooBrideFooBride

    I used one constantly with DD and would try from time to time to wean her but did not push it.  Around week 6, I tried it without and it worked!

    Good Luck, I thought those shields were a godsend!

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"