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breast shield and engorgement, opinions please

Mr. & Mrs. RNMr. & Mrs. RN member
in Breastfeeding

This is my first baby and we are working on breastfeeding.  It is proving to be very difficult.  We've been spending about 45 minutes just trying to get a good latch and when she finally does she only stays on for about 10 minutes.  And once she lets go she's done for good cuz her hunger urge is quelled enough that she doesn't care to work that hard to get another latch.  I tried pumping to get the enorgement down so she could latch better, didn't help.  I tried a breast shield and it was magical, no crying, quicker latch, and she will feed for 15-20 minutes and re latch if I stop to burp or she slips off. 

I feel like I'm cheating and she won't ever be able to latch properly without it.  WDYT?  TIA.

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Re: breast shield and engorgement, opinions please

  • KellyG6279KellyG6279 member

    Different people will have different opinions.  I used one from day 1 at the hospital and we never could get DS to latch without it - currently EPing :(.  I have heard of many people that are able to wean off the shield after a few weeks and LO gets stronger and able to latch correcly without it.  Have you seen a LC yet?  I wouldn't hesitate to seek help especially since  you're so early in the game.

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  • star173star173 member

    I needed it in the beginning- it worked wonders for us. I used it for a few days, then I'd try to nurse without it. I was able to get her off of it by 2 months.

    I'd say it's fine to use right now..just keep trying to feed her without it, but if that doesn't work, use it.  Good luck!

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  • LissaLeeLissaLee member
    I used a shield with my daughter for almost 3 months. It did take some time and a lot of patience, but eventually she was able to latch on properly without it. Just take it one day at a time, you'll figure out what's best for both of you!
    Mommy to Evelyn Clare born 6/23/07, Ryan Hansen born 12/10/09, and Charlotte Nicole born 11/1/12
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  • lemen99lemen99 member
    Using a shield certainly isn't cheating, and I think you could wean when she gets a little stronger...if she does well with it, it probably is a good idea so neither of you gets frustrated and she gets the food she needs!
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  • meganet22meganet22
    I use a shield with dd due to issues with had when my milk came in.  I wouldn't have been able to continue bfing without it. She is a little stubborn with giving it up but it works for us so i keep using it. Not everyone has as much difficulty as me getting their lo to eat without it.
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  • morekirbysmorekirbys member

    I used it with my first child for 3 months and continued to attempt without it at least 1-2 feedings a day and one day he just did it without!  I went on to nurse for 4 more months after that!

    Now if I could just get this new one to even latch onto the breast shield . . . 

     

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  • cfitz16cfitz16 member
    My baby will be 6 months old in a week and a half, and we still use a nipple shield.  (flat nipples, etc.)  It may be "cheating", but I'm able to breast feed him and not use formula.  We can technically nurse without the breast shield now on one side, but he hates it.  For me, using the breast shield is not a big deal.
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