Having to use a shield everytime BFers?

CJM20 · September 2012

So since the day she was born, I had to use a nipple shield to nurse. Cause my nipples are usually so flat. I have to use it like every time I breast feed her. I only was able to have her latch on bare once and that was in the hospital.

Is anyone else like that? and is there any possibility that she may be able to latch on bare at some point?

rainedrops117 · September 2012

were still having to use a shield every time also. He just wont latch on right without it. He just clenches down and sucks so hard... <insert pain face> I tried yesterday, OUCH! I wonder if he'll ever get it right...

byrne15 · September 2012

I only BFed for 3 weeks, but I used a shield starting at 4 days old.

The LC said that I should BF with the shield on and when he is getting burp, try to remove the shield and continue to feed him. I tried it, but it was still too painful so I just stayed with the shield.

If you want to get away from the shield, I'd say keep trying without the shield. I would use it first to kind of pull out your nipple and then see if your LO with latch without it after.

shakinros · September 2012

Yep. I've been using it from day 1. I don't at this point have any intention of stopping it.

heatherjesse · September 2012

I posted several times about using shield a couple weeks ago too because I hated using it! We used it from day one because of needing to supplement with formula while DS was in the NICU, and with the help of a LC we syringe fed at the breast. DS would not latch without the shield until 2 weeks ago. He just decided it was cool one day. I had offered him bare lots of times and he would only latch for like 2 sucks and then scream at me. But he just decided he didn't need it and hasn't had in 2 weeks! Just keep trying if you don't want to use the shield.

megmb24 · September 2012

I didn't realize when they gave me the shield that she would end up being so dependent on it. I feel like I created an addict. She will only latch on for maybe a minute without it. Hopefully we stop using it soon, it's such a pain.

pixieprincss · September 2012

I had flat nipples when DS1 was born. We weaned him from the shield during the day at 8 weeks and at night at 10 weeks (in the sleepy night we had a harder time latching for longer). Two things played into that: baby's mouth got bigger, and my nipples came out more and more. DS1 nursed until 18 months, so that 10 weeks was just a tiny part of our nursing. Because my nipples have changed and that tissue that caused them to be flat has stayed released, I did not need a shield with DS2.

It is a great idea to practice latching without it at every daytime feed (or at least a few times a day). That will help baby stay used to the taste, feel, and smell of your skin versus the silicone. You can do some things to help draw out the nipple. With time, it will stay out. Here is info from LLL on this: https://www.llli.org/faq/flat.html

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danielle2583 · September 2012

There can be hope! We used it from day 1, the LC in the hospital didn't even try to really show me how to get her to latch, she just shoved one of those on and it was so easy. I tried for the first week without it and ended up with really sore, cracked and bleeding nipples so I went back to it. About a week ago she lost her mind somehow and decided to keep slipping off the shield so I HAD to get her to latch and she's been great ever since. I have to take her off to relatch occasionally but I don't even know where the shield is now.

kslobodk2005 · September 2012

I have to use the shield every time. I never even knew I had flat nipples. Will they ever not be flat? I try every once in awhile without the shield, but it just ends up in disaster. I would love for him to not need it, but I don't know if that will ever happen.

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