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weaning from the nipple shield - help!

faerieme129faerieme129
in Breastfeeding

When DS was born, he was having a hard time latching, so the midwife referred me to a LC. On the LC's advice, we began using a nipple shield day 1. I expected we'd wean by about a month, and I have tried, but no luck. Now at 4 months, I am wondering if we'll ever be able to nurse w/o it!

We had one day where I forgot to bring the shield w/ me to the grandparents' house, and for some reason he had no issue then (for like 5 feedings), but that night refused the breast until I offered w/ the shield again.

I have been trying to take the shield after starting feeding with limited success. I forgot to put the shield in my purse this morning, and when I went to feed DS @ daycare, he not only wouldn't even try to latch, he cried every time I offered the boob sans shield.

He's got a bit of a lazy/shallow latch, but I feel like if he would just give it a go w/o the shield, we could work that out. Any tips would be appreciated!

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Re: weaning from the nipple shield - help!

  • rlfondarlfonda

    we have been 1 week without the nipple shield...i went to the LC about it last tuesday and have been shield free ever since. I have a strong let down so she suggested that i express some milk (its been about 2 oz on my right side and .5-1 oz on the left) before feeding him, lean back while he is eating if i can, and also have his throat higher up so he isnt getting drowned by my milk. expressing really helps because my breast is softer for latching...

     i have had to use it one time sice last week and i had him use the shield for a few minutes and then removed the shield and he latched.

     i had to realize that my let down was strong so he was chugging/choking and associating this with the breast and freaking out. also...because of the strong let down/chugging he was inhaling more air causing more gas...which made him detach and cry because of gas but i thought it was because he wanted the shield!!

     stick with it, and good luck!

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  • MamaAllisonMamaAllison member
    If you have made it to four months and you are EBF then obviously your supply is not affected by using the shield. I would just keep offering the breast w/o the shield and I bet eventually your LO will get the hang of it, don't stress out about it! We used it through 3 months and then ditched it, it was just she was ready to not use it anymore and the transition was easy. Hope you get there!
    DD1 - Evelyn Riley - 9/30/11
    DD2 - Charlotte Avery - 1/27/14




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  • acalan13acalan13
    I have been nipple shield free since last Wed.  I put it away and refused to use it.  She wasn't happy each time, but now, she is fine.  She normally fusses at the boob, so I just deal with it.  I notice that she eats for a much less time wo the shield and is still getting wet/poop regularly.  I am thrilled to be rid of the shield as it was the best decision I made.  Just keep being persistent and put the shield away!  It is going to take lots of patience, though....
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  • faerieme129faerieme129

    imageMamaAllison:
    If you have made it to four months and you are EBF then obviously your supply is not affected by using the shield. I would just keep offering the breast w/o the shield and I bet eventually your LO will get the hang of it, don't stress out about it! We used it through 3 months and then ditched it, it was just she was ready to not use it anymore and the transition was easy. Hope you get there!

    My supply is fine as far as I can tell. I wish I could get more when I pump, but he's EBF (takes bottle sof BM at daycare) and is gaining fine and wetting diapers appropriately.

    There are three reasons I'd like to be done with the shield:

    1. It's a huge hassle to keep track of and make sure I have it when he needs to eat. Forgetting it yesterday meant he wouldn't nurse at all. :(

    2. Sometimes he sucks so hare he pulls my nips up against the holes and it HURTS! When I take it off I have 4 little bumps where the holes are. This happens at least a few times a week.

    3. He takes forever to nurse, and I've heard babies tend to nurse a little faster w/o the shield. I don't think I've ever had a nursing session take less than a half hour, and it's often longer than that.

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  • RicolaRicola member
    imagefaerieme129:

    My supply is fine as far as I can tell. I wish I could get more when I pump, but he's EBF (takes bottle sof BM at daycare) and is gaining fine and wetting diapers appropriately.

    There are three reasons I'd like to be done with the shield:

    1. It's a huge hassle to keep track of and make sure I have it when he needs to eat. Forgetting it yesterday meant he wouldn't nurse at all. :(

    2. Sometimes he sucks so hare he pulls my nips up against the holes and it HURTS! When I take it off I have 4 little bumps where the holes are. This happens at least a few times a week.

    3. He takes forever to nurse, and I've heard babies tend to nurse a little faster w/o the shield. I don't think I've ever had a nursing session take less than a half hour, and it's often longer than that.

    Exactly those reasons made me want to ditch the shield, too. I had to see a LC in order to do it, as my DS would not latch right without it. It only took one session with her and now we are shield free since 1 1/2 weeks. His latch is not perfect yet, but we are getting there. FWIW she said if he is sucking my nipple through the holes in the shield already, it is definitely time to stop using it. 

    Can you see a LC for help?  

    DS born 12/2011
    DD born 03/2014

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