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Weaning from nipple shield question

h2ojock13h2ojock13 member
in May 2011 Moms

Hello Ladies,

I've been using a breast shield pretty much since DS was 1 week old.I would like to be able to wean LO from the nipple shields so I don't have to clean them all the time. I'm worried because my nipples are significantly different in size from the nipple shields. Can anyone educate me on why you wean LO from nipple shields and how to accomplish this so I can try?

TIA!

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Re: Weaning from nipple shield question

  • McAllie5McAllie5

    I don't know if this will help much or not, but...

    I had to use the nipple shields for the first several days with DS. My nipples were too small and areolas too big for him to properly latch on without them. I also disliked having to wash them each time. Once my milk came in, my nipples got a bit bigger and he got better at latching. (I don't know if it was the milk coming in, the baby getting better at nursing, or my nipples getting bigger that did it.) I tried a couple of nursing sessions without the shields and he didn't seem to mind. So we haven't used them since.

    FYI, my nipples were really sensitive at first, going "bare", but after a week or so they got used to it.

     Good luck! HTH! 

     

    ETA: Also make sure you use some sort of lanolin to keep your nipples from getting dry. (Lansinoh is good) 

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  • NothingLikeBarbieNothingLikeBarbie
    I used nipple shields eat every feeding for 5 weeks. Then one day I lost it, and didn't have a way to get to the store so we just weaned that day. It was pretty easy. I was scared at first but he latches on great.
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  • h2ojock13h2ojock13 member
    Thanks ladies. I found an article about this on Kelly mom and tried it at our last feeding. It didn't go well and it was a milky mess and he freaked out trying to latch on. I will keep on trying! Sad
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  • krispy127krispy127
    I used them at first and even had the LC come and help me use them. Your supposed to put them on for the first like 5-10 min of feeding then take them off and try to latch baby with out it on it takes a while but after trying it a bunch it worked. but it could be that baby just finally got the tongue coordinated. We did exercises and stuff with him, he was a preemie. I just quit BFing after two months cause my husband works a shift schedule and I didn't always want to be the one feeding him, I needed a brake. But I know how hard it all is and I'm so amazed everyone can keep it up so go you!!!!
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  • MommyHarrisonMommyHarrison
    I use them and have been trying to wean DD for a couple weeks (although not very diligently, so that may be part of the problem). Sometime she'll latch on with no problem and not even realize what she's doing, but other times (most times) she screams. And I know a lot of people say that the baby will have a harder time latching the more full your boobs are, but I've noticed the opposite. This morning I was so full I thought I was going to burst - she latched right now. This evening we tried again, not so full, and she screamed. This is recurring for us.. We'll see. I don't know if it's a huge deal to continue to use them (I never asked an LC about it at all), but they are definitely inconveinient..
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  • pinkflipflops44pinkflipflops44 member

    imageMommyHarrison:
    I use them and have been trying to wean DD for a couple weeks (although not very diligently, so that may be part of the problem). Sometime she'll latch on with no problem and not even realize what she's doing, but other times (most times) she screams. And I know a lot of people say that the baby will have a harder time latching the more full your boobs are, but I've noticed the opposite. This morning I was so full I thought I was going to burst - she latched right now. This evening we tried again, not so full, and she screamed. This is recurring for us.. We'll see. I don't know if it's a huge deal to continue to use them (I never asked an LC about it at all), but they are definitely inconveinient..

    they are definitely a pain in the butt but at this point id rather deal with the nip shield then the torture of trying to get her to latch without it.. why oh why wont she latch?? but at least she doesnt have a problem with a bottle..cuz then id be screwed.

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  • jg_girl1jg_girl1 member
    I stopped using them when she was a few weeks old. My nipples were pretty damaged since she nursed constantly before my milk supply came in. Once my nipples wear healed I would use the nipple shield for a few minutes then take the shield off and would let her try latching. It hurt like hell and felt like she was biting the nipple. If she would latch on I would let her stay even if it hurt a little. Eventually my nipple toughened up and now she has no problem latching but it definitely hurt for a few weeks. The gel breast pads were my best friend for a while. 
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