Nipple Shield question...

simo7079

The hospital had me use a nipple shield b/c the baby wasn't latching very well a couple times but now she won't nurse w/out it.  My question is... Do I have to use this until I'm done BF for good, or can I ween her off of it?  They said my nipples weren't bad for nursing but the shield just made it easier for her.  TIA!

g8orell

I didn't produce enough, so I had to stop BFing, so I don't have personal experience. But my good friend used them for about a month or so until her LO really got the hang of it, then stopped them. She did have touble getting her to latch on with them, but eventually it worked out.

anniebugg

Hi, I just weaned LO off the shield. The breastfeeding board was very helpful, you might find good advice there too.

Start feeding LO with the shield on, remove the shield after a few minutes and offer baby your nipple (I had to watch some videos on how to get a good latch, check drsears.com and kellymom). Keep doing this until LO takes your nipple, feed him/her as long as you can without the shield, continue doing this with less time on the shield each time.

My LO took about a week and a half to get the hang of it. I've stopped using the shield. Good luck!

sometimesalwayschaotic

I have heard of a lot of people getting off the nipple shield.  Kellymom has a lot of helpful hints on how to wean off the nipple shield.  Good luck, we're fighting this battle also.

saraboston

I just weaned DD last week! It's totally possible. One of the best things to go is to start with it on and let her nurse for just a couple minutes then take it off and see if she'll latch without it. (my nipples are flat so this helped to draw them out for her) My LC also said to offer her the naked nipple a couple times a day first just to see if she's ready.

Kellymom has more tips:

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/wean-shield.html

hjohn

I've been using a nipple shield since 3 weeks- my boy was bottle fed in the NICU to start and then his mouth was too small for my nipple so I started using the nipple shield. Now he doesn't want to take my nipple alone, so I'm continuing to use it.  It's not that bad- a little annoying but as long as he's getting the right amount of food I'm happy to do it.

wishin&hopin2008

DS was able to latch on better when he got to about one month.  Hang in there and keep trying to get her to latch- she can do it!!

marclovesme

I went cold turkey at 5 weeks.  I tried the bait and switch, but that never worked.

FWIW, my LC insisted I get off it, but then reneged and said I could nurse with it as long as necessary.  I have friends that used a shield for months and they had no problems with production/baby weight gain.  Do what works best for you.

abell77

no, you can wean her.  you may need to start off a feeding using it, and then quickly take it off and have her latch back on to get used to it. I had to see an LC for help.