Weaning from a shield?

BrideNamedMeg

Has anyone had to wean from a nipple shield?  I was told to use one at the hospital but our pedi would rather see us not use one if possible.   My daughter is only a week old and getting her weight up is my priority, but I think it'd be easier to do that if my flow wasn't getting slowed down by the shield.

I check out some tips online, but wondered what your experience has been. 

Megan Briggs

I'm in the same boat...and my daughter is now 3 weeks and just starting to get back to her birthweight with the help of supplements.  I don't have a great answer, but kellymom.com does have some tips.  I posted a similar question yesterday and there were mixed responses. Some women ended up pumping exclusively while others said their kid just stopped using it one day.

littleittybitty

I still use one. I guess I am so used to it that it is now my crutch because I don't want to experience the pain I went through at the beginning.

papagena

For me, I just started not using it for a feeding or two - I used it mainly because of really sore nipples, and slightly flat.  Since DS already had the hang of nursing by this point, it was fairly easy to do, and ended up being based on soreness more than anything else.  I did go back to the lactation consultant once while we were getting rid of it.  It is so nice not to have to wonder where the nipple shield was every time I needed to feed.

MiracleFox

I've been using one since day one... It's very inconvenient for me but DS has done well with it. ?I've tried weaning a little bit bud DS gags when I take it off. ?

I suggest doing something NOW if you want to stop using it. ?I'm afraid I waited way to long. ?GOOD LUCK! ??

n&bcarlson

I was given the shield in the hospital because my DD had latch issues, dehydration, and jaundice.  They told me to use it, then pump, and supplement with 1 oz BM or formula after every feeding for 2 weeks- what a hassle!  I started working with an LC at 2 weeks to wean from the shield.  I started with the shield, then would try taking it off after a few minutes and see if DD would go without it.  Finally at 4 weeks, she would eat without it at least 1 feeding most days.  At 5 weeks, she started ripping the shield off at the beginning of the feeding, so I figured she was telling me she was ready to go without it and we haven't used it since.  My LC said some people have to use them for several months and it's okay.  Just remember to pump regularly to get enough nipple stimulation so your supply is good.  Also, one on one counseling with the LC was a lifesaver.  We went once a week from 2 weeks until 8 weeks.  Our local hospital offered this service for a one time fee of $40.

markles88

I am still using one with DS. No problems with it here, but my LC told me it can lower your milk supply...like I said though, I have had no problems.

love.love

I'm still using mine probably 80% of the time. DS doesn't open his mouth enough to latch w/o it and starts getting really frustrated. If I can catch him when he's just beginning to get hungry we can usually figure it out together, but mostly we use the shield. I pump as often as I can (anywhere from 1-6 times in 24hrs) in order to maintain a good supply. One tip I got from my LC that really helps my DS latch is to squeeze your breast into a flat "hamburger" shape to match the shape of your DCs mouth. Also to always express some milk onto their lips first.
If I have to use it for as long as I plan to BF than so be it, it's a hassle at times, but well worth it.