trouble latching and using breast shields?

Mira06 · July 2011

Hi guys, I need some advice. My Lo is 2 days old and we are still in the hospital (emergency c section). We have been having difficulty with latching. They say he has a very high palate and a tiny mouth while I have flat nipples. The lc has us using breast shields, and then pumping for 10 mins afterwards ( so they don't effect my milk coming in and my supply ). After reading about the shields, I'm worried this isn't the best route to take. Any thoughts or advice? Has anyone used them this early and was able to wean off them? Thank you.

mari_gold · July 2011

I used shields with both my kids because of flat nipples and never pumped afterward. It was fine. I actually still use the shield at night with DD because it's just easier (she still fights the latch sometimes). Every LC I've ever seen has said that shields now are thin enough that they don't affect your supply.

mommyjenny257 · July 2011

My LO never latched, due to him having a small mouth (according to the LCs). He did latch with a breast shield, but not until about 2 weeks after we got home. To this day, he still will not latch. I have been pumping exclusively since he was 2 days old. So right now, you really only have 2 choices. Nurse with the shield, or just pump exclusively. It's a tough decision I know.

Sorry I don't have any advice on how to wean from the shield. But I wanted to share my experience.

Good Luck and congrats on your outside baby!!

rregneir · July 2011

I have to use them . DD is 9months old, and she's growing at a good rate. I tried to wean, but she wasnt having it. But I have heard of people being able to wean off of them. I heard the samething about how they can affect your supply and all that, but we havent had to deal with any of that. My LC told me that they have updated the shields so they don't effect you as much as they once did.

GL

stahlop · July 2011

We used them for 7 weeks. LO weaned off them just fine and I never had a problem with supply.

madladybride · July 2011

We used them from the time DD was a day old until she was 8weeks, and then I was able to wean off of them. Their use did not affect my supply. However, because I was induced and DD was born at 36w2d, even with the shield, she still was not getting enough milk (or so the pedi said). So I ended up pumping and supplementing with a syringe/finger feeding. The pumping really helped build up my freezer stash for when I had to return to work.

funchicken · July 2011

I used them, and it was not a big deal. They didn't hurt my supply and we weaned off of them at 7 weeks. If it helps you establish nursing that's great. Don't beat yourself up about it

calm_angel_2003 · July 2011

i used the shields. i was able to wean him off st 2 1/2 months prior to weaning him the week before we would only use the shield in the am and when he was extra fussy. the shield did not affect my supply

Mira06 · July 2011

Thank you so much for the feed back. I will stop beating myself up about them. It's so good to hear of others who used them with no issues! No I can relax and enjoy this more.

soon to be Mrs. Connolly · July 2011

I had such a difficult time at the beginning. LO was three weeks early and I have flat nipples. In the hospital they had me pump and give LO everything I pumped, also gave her formula because she was jaundice and we needed to load her with fluids. Due to the jaundice we were in the hospital for 4 1/2 days. By the end of the hospital stay my nmilk began to come in. I still could not get her to latch on and I was struglling with the nipple shield as well. I ditched the nipple shield for a while, and pumped. (I rented the hospital grade pump, strongly suggest it if it is abn option.) She got what ever I pumped at her next feeding. By time I was home for a day, I was pumping so much that we no longer needed to use formula. The following day I went to a support group for breast feeding, if there is one near you, go! THe lactation consultant suggest I purchased the Medela Special needs nipple for bottles to help build LO's sucking power. I did and I also began seeing the consultant the following week. It really helped me feel better. LO still wasn't latching and I hated the shield, very messy for me. Consultant assured me it would come eventually. It was a struggle and I was about to give up but I finally found success with the shield by about 4 weeks and she was no longer taking the bottle. It was so much easier at that point, no need to pump anymore! I still hated the shield!! But I loved the benefits of breast feeding so I figuerd it was worth it. I would try here and there to get her to latch but it didn't work. I gave up a few weeks earlier when I got a horribl rash all over my body that last for 2 -3 weeks (still docs don't knw what it was). I just didn't think try to wean off of the shield at this moment was good. Once rash was cleared up I began thinking about it again. Around 10 1/2 weeks, I attempted without shield and she latched on!! Big Smile After that she refused the shield! I have been nursing her now for about 2 1/2 weeks without shield! LOVE IT!! NOT messy anymore!

Sorry, I know my response was way too long. My point is Don't give up!! It will get so much easier for you. Breast feeding is not easy but it is worth it if you can stick with it! GOod luck and if you have any questions feel free to PM me!

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