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Nipple Shield

Carnation77Carnation77 member
in Breastfeeding
I have one cracked nipple and another with a blister on it.  It finally got so bad that I had DH run out to the store to buy some formula because I just couldn't feed or pump anymore.  (I hate using formula because DS has reflux and a milk allergy but I was desperate.)  Then a family member suggested a nipple shield.  I got a Medela nipple shield, and have fed LO a few times with it.  It definitely cuts down on the pain and makes it bearable, but it's hard to hold and even though he acts like he's had enough to eat, I can tell my breasts are still somewhat fuller when he finishes now.  I know nipple shields are controversial, but I honestly couldn't feed him right now otherwise.  Does anyone have any suggestions on using one?  I want to make sure I'm doing this right and he's getting enough to eat.  I just want to use it long enough to heal.

(As a background, the reason I'm in such bad shape right now is I think he was in a growth spurt for three days this week.  He stopped sleeping as long at night and was waking at least every two hours, and for long stretches of the day was eating hourly.  Thank goodness that seems to have passed.  He slept like a log last night going for 4-5 hour stretches and was back on his every two hour feed schedule during the day yesterday.)
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Re: Nipple Shield

  • MrandMrsFireFighterMrandMrsFireFighter member
    How old is your LO?

    Try using lanolin around the edge of the shield to sort of adhere it to you. We had to use it for 3 weeks because I had flat nipples. My son had great milk transfer using it but if yours doesn't, that could be why he's not draining your breast as effectively.
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  • ncbellencbelle member
    It's not that the shield is terrible but rather that if there's an underlying problem that's making it necessary that's not addressed, you can have trouble down the road.

    I would encourage you to have his latch evaluated by an IBCLC.  Even with a growth spurt, a baby with a good latch will not tear up your nipples like you are describing.  So something is going on there that needs to be addressed.  But certainly if the shield is allowing you to nurse in the meantime, use it!  Just don't let the underlying problem go un-looked at.


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  • Carnation77Carnation77 member
    My LO is 7 1/2 weeks.  I know he has a bad latch.  We've tried to work on it but he's so active while feeding it's hard to keep him latched well.
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  • Staceylynn602Staceylynn602 member
    I've been using a shield for a couple weeks (LO is 3 weeks old). The LC suggested it. My baby is doing fine with milk transfer and is right on track. The shield helps a lot with nipple pain!
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  • Lorjo2022Lorjo2022 member
    I've been using a nipple shield since day 2 because I have flat and inverted nipples. He does a great job at eating and transferring milk thankfully because I don't think I'd be able to BF otherwise. It can be a pain to use sonetimes.. If you bend the lip (the part that sits on your breast) and the bottom of the nipple shield back a bit and then put it on your nipple, it keeps it on better.. Hope that makes sense!
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  • Carnation77Carnation77 member
    Thanks for all the suggestions!  I actually put him straight on the breast for his last feed on the side that's just cracked because I have also had a few clogged ducts since I started and it felt like I was getting another one.  I just needed to really drain that breast.  Thanks to using the nipple shield last night and this morning it actually wasn't too bad.  I think I'm going to try to alternate straight breast and shield for a few days until things heal up.
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