XP: 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!

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VABride2008

I had very stubborn nipples in the hospital as well and they gave me this little nipple pump to get my nipple to pop out more.  That really worked.  I used it for the first week and it really helped her latch on.  She has a great latch now and when it's time to eat my nipples get hard as rocks. 

I can't really answer your questions about the shield since I never got around to needing my shield.  Are you making sure that your nipple is hard before trying to get her to latch?  Maybe try expressing a little milk and letting it touch her lips?  

 I only pump when I need the extra relief.  I get between 5 and 10 extra ounces a day that I freeze.  If your boobs still feel full after a feeding, I would pump.  I am also trying to build up a supply for when I go back to work though.

Good luck!

 

pharmgirl697

I didn't have any nipple problems but I had to use a shield because by daughter was on the smaller side and had trouble latching. At each feeding a tried to get her to latch without the shield. Every so often she would latch on and feed for awhile then come off and not be able to latch on again. I would then finish with the shield. Then one day she latched on and was able to latch again if she came off. We have been shield free now for over a week. Just try getting your LO to latch without the shield a little bit at each feeding, your LO may just latch on sometime. Good luck, it might just take some time.