I bought a nipple shield :'[

TAGSL710 · October 2012

My poor baby had been crying bloody murder since 3ish today because my milk was coming out so fast. I've nursed on one side for 4 hours straight and he still couldn't handle it. I couldn't stand hearing him scream in hunger and not be able to eat so we went and got one and for the first time ever he's nursing for almost 20 minutes and peacefully and me without pain.

However I'm in tears fearing that 1] I'm going to ruin my supply, 2] he's not going to gain weight, 3] we will use this forever.

Sorry for being a BF PW. I'm really distraught over this and all my friends have had easy gos at BF.

blindvictory · October 2012

Aw, I'm sorry. : If it's any consolation, we've been stuck using a nipple shield since day 5 or so, and DS is gaining plenty of weight and I've had zero supply issues. But I do feel like I'll be stuck using it forever, so I feel your pain. Hang in there.

mavs41 · October 2012

I've been using a nipple shield since the first week too. It's a pain but I'm thankful it makes bf possible for us. I've felt like my supply has been unstable lately (breasts don't feel full anymore- always feel empty) so I've started pumping for about 5 min after each feeding. I just pump whatever side I fed on and LC said not to mess with it at night. I don't get much but I do feel like it is helping. DS has gained like a champ since I started with it (11 oz in 4 days at beginning). I am worried about being stuck with it, but I'm happy to be bf.

Stasi · October 2012

blindvictory:
Aw, I'm sorry. : If it's any consolation, we've been stuck using a nipple shield since day 5 or so, and DS is gaining plenty of weight and I've had zero supply issues. But I do feel like I'll be stuck using it forever, so I feel your pain. Hang in there.

Same here. Just keep an eye on your supply and maybe pump if you can. I would also recommend at least having your LO latch a few times a day without so he doesn't forget how without the Sheild.

gingerfamily · October 2012

You do what works for you and don't beat yourself up over it! If you have to use it for a while then so be it. I've never heard of a shield causing your supply to drop.

mandawest · October 2012

i LOVE my nipple shield!

It takes all of the pressure off that I struggled with the during my stay at the hospital. My LO doesn't latch well and the nipple shield makes it 100x better for both of us. My nipples are still intact and not throbbing, she gets to eat and doesn't struggle like she was...everything is peachy. She is gaining weight-that is not an issue at all.

Do what works for you and don't let anybody make you feel bad about that.

Cooper611 · October 2012

I know how you feel about not wanting to use the shield but I too had to start using one in the hospital because my nips are quite flat. My sister used one for the same reason with her dd and weaned her off of it with "hardly any problem" at one month. Hopefully we can all do the same. Hope the shield helps you to both enjoy breastfeeding more!

hmp1 · October 2012

Glad you found something that works! Dont stress about weaning him off of it. I agree with pp to have hom latch a few times a day without it. I used a shield with ds1 and it helped his weight gain.

jocymama · October 2012

I feel your pain. We have been using a nipple shield since day 2. I have flat nipples so this is the only way she can properly latch. We have not had any weight issues as C is gaining appropriately. I have not had any supply issues. I am glad your feeding went peacefully- Good luck with the BF!

bosha711 · October 2012

This is a good thing! Please don't cry over having to use the shield!

I used one with DS & we used it temporarily & it did not affect my supply.

bdbelladonna · October 2012

i agree with pp dont feel bad about doing what you need to to be able to bf. i used a nipple shield for the entire 6 months i bf ds and the 6 weeks i managed with dd1. i never had a supply issue. i have been using a shield since day 3 with dd2 and no supply issues or weight gain issues. the shield is a tool to help you accomplish your goal, it might be a hassle but is totally worth it imo.

TAGSL710 · October 2012

Thanks for all of the support. It really makes me feel better to know there are others dealing with this. I saw the LC today and she thinks its for the best and its actually be good if it decreased my supply a bit. Here's to hoping we have success with it.

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