DD was born at 35 1/2 weeks. She is now 2 almost 3 weeks old. We've been trying to BF since she was born. In the hospital they had me using a SNS with a nipple shield. We are no longer using the SNS, but we are still dependent on the shield for feedings. How long should we need to use the shield? I would like to wean her from it for convenience sake, but every time I try to BF without it, she wants nothing to do with me. She takes EBM from a bottle like a champ though. I'm just not sure how long is too long to be using the shield or if it's something we're going to need to use as long as I'm BFing her.
Thanks! the LCs worked with us while we were in the hospital, luckily she never had to spend any time in the NICU so we were only there a short time. I'm going to call and see if we can get in to see a LC sometime this week.
I waited until my DD hit her due date and then with each feeding tried without the shield. Every time she would still need the shield and then one day she just kept sucking without the shield and now she nurses like a champ. Your little one will get there, just keep trying!
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We used a ns until around my son's sue date. He was born at 31w5d and I hated the ns but I dealt with it. My best friend had a ft baby and is still using hers at 11 months. He won't nurse without it. Hopefully that won't happen to you but there isn't really a too long I guess. Best of luck!!
Oh and it can help to get your milk going before you try without it. My son literally just rolled into my boob on the my Brest friend and latched out of the blue one day. We had been trying without the shield with no luck then we never used it again. So just keep at it but don't stress too much. It will happen!
Re: nipple shields
Thanks! the LCs worked with us while we were in the hospital, luckily she never had to spend any time in the NICU so we were only there a short time. I'm going to call and see if we can get in to see a LC sometime this week.