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psychgalbride
member
Nipple Shields- how long is too long?
psychgalbride
member
I have been using a nipple shield for almost 2 weeks now and am worried that she won't be able to nurse without it. She is still super tiny (5bls 8oz) and cannot latch without it.
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Re: Nipple Shields- how long is too long?
I would encourage you not to worry about it. DD needed a shield to help her latch for 8 wks then she magically didn't need it anymore. Around 5 weeks I would try to get her to latch without it at least once a day. Around 8 wks it just clicked with her.
SOme people use them the entire time they BF though. For me, my motto was "whatever it takes to keep BFing". Good luck!
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
I thought the exact same thing since my LO wasn't able to feed unless I used the nipple shield. Every once in a while I would try to get him to latch on without it, but he didn't do it as easily as he would with the shield. I was worried that he would become too dependent on using it, but as it turns out, I think it just helped him get to where he is at now. Now, at 2 months, he is able to nurse without the sheild with no problem at all. The reason I was using it in the first place was because I have kind of flat nipples, but I think after nursing with the nipple shield for 2 months now, it has made my nipples be a little less flat as well as have our little guy become more of an expert at nursing (no matter what the accommodations).
Good luck
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Don't worry! We used one until Cole was 2.5months old & then he was just fine without it. I felt the same way, that it would be impossible to nurse without it because whenever I tried he would just fall off like trying to suck on a watermelon! When he got a bit bigger & stronger I would start with the shield on and then pull it off once my nipple was pulled out.
Main thing, don't stress about it. If its working for you now then just let it be, she will let you know when she is ready! Sounds like your doing a great job!
This exactly. I tried to wean off the shield on countless occasions but she would't have anything to do with it. Then magically at 4 MONTHS she didn't need it anymore. Hang in there!
Thanks for this post and the responses- I have been using the shield and was feeling some guilt and this makes me feel so, so much better! Gosh it is amazinghow much guilt a little piece of silicon can give a new mom!!