More nursing shield questions

babygreen10

I am trying to switch from EP to EBF or a combo of both but not pump as much as I have been.  When DD was born she wouldn't latch due to inverted nipples so I started using a shield.  She now won't latch without the shield but I'm sort of lost as to how to proceed.  

1. How long should she be nursing for with the shield on?  How will I know she is "full"?

 2. Should I still pump after I nurse?  In the hospital and when I came home I nursed for 15 minutes on both sides and then pumped for 15 minutes to develop a supply.  I am currently pumping 5-6 more oz a day than she eats.

3. How long should we use the shield before trying to ween her from it?  If I try to nurse now without it she screams and shakes her head but won't even try to latch on.

TIA for any advice you ladies have! 

emberlee3

1. Let her nurse until she comes off by herself on the first side, then offer the second side.  Alternate which breast you offer first.  Count wet/dirty diapers and don't worry if she is on the breast for a long time.  The flow is slower with a nipple shield.  My son used to nurse for 45-60 minutes total (sometimes 45 minutes on one side, then 10-20 minutes on the other), until we weaned off the nipple shield.

2.If you feel she hasn't emptied your breast(s), pump after nursing.  (You may want to pump to build up a stash, but if you just want to regulate your supply to what she eats, then you really don't need to pump).

3. Keep using the shield as long as you need to/want to.  Try offering your naked nipple every few days to see how she reacts (choose a time when she is not crying from hunger, but just starting to show some hunger cues, so she won't be frustrated as easily).

Do you have an LC you can call with questions during this process?

Good luck!

bbwgirl

I would not worry as long as she is satisfied with the shield. We have been using one since birth and sometimes she will nurse with and without. I posted a question before and many people told me the baby will ween when they are ready, some a few weeks and others a few months.