Nipple Shield Poll

DagnyDoo · November 2014

As DS is discovering how to use his hands more effectively, and now has fun ripping the nipple shield off while he's trying to eat (then tries to drink from it, which is pretty hilarious), I'm struggling to decide how to proceed since he doesn't seem interested in the real thing anymore.

For those of you still breast feeding who have at some point used a nipple shield...

clwheel · November 2014

My OB freaked me out and said it would ruin my supply so I forced myself to transition. I would start feeding with her on it and take it off about half way through and try to have her latch. Eventually she got it. I had to sandwich my nipple a lot at first but eventually she got the hang of it. Keep trying you'll get there

JmeJoLee83 · November 2014

Still using it. I try to remove it during a feed and he will suck for a minute then refuse. The doctor called him "intense" the other day...oh how I'm dreading sleep training!

meritsamomma · November 2014

SS... we used one the first 2 weeks of her life. She never really got a great latch and we were both getting frustrated. I transitioned her by using a manual pump and priming the nipple for a few days right before the session and she latched no problem. After a few days I didn't have to prime anymore.
I'm now an EPer due to a case of thrush that lasted near 3 months, thus the SS.

Abenedict2011 · November 2014

Used it until about 6 weeks and weaned by taking it off mid feed. He did better when she wasn't super hungry later in the day and one day she latched well with all feeds. Good luck.

sm623 · November 2014

I had to out-stubborn LO. I would make her try for about 30 seconds at the beginning of each feed around 5 weeks. I also found a description that finally made me realize wtf everyone meant by "sandwich" your breast. One website said to squish your breast like you do when you are about to take a bite of a big sandwich. I don't know why that never clicked, but when I tried that, it worked. My nipples were really sore for about 2 weeks after we weaned from the nipple shield, but when LO latched it was comfortable and not painful at all.

texasmama2014 · November 2014

She won't do it without. She is offended that I even try.

frenchchocolate611 · November 2014

I used one for the first three weeks. I saw a lactation consultant a few times and one time while I was there she had me try to nurse without it - E latched on just fine and never looked back. I had tried a few times before to nurse without it, but he would always get too frustrated and just cry until I put it back on. I don't really know what made it click - maybe we had just gotten the hang of nursing or maybe I was better at recognizing that he was hungry so that he was getting fed before he was too upset. Sorry I don't really have any helpful advice

elsa1688 · November 2014

I used one for about 2.5 months. I saw a great LC that helped me transition. I use my pointer and middle finger to kind of create a claw so LO has something to latch on to. It really helps. I would find an LC you trust and like to help transition.

H&H2014 · November 2014

Used one for six weeks and LO then abruptly refused to latch with it. Eventually she got better on her own without it. Lots of Mother Love nipple ointment is all I remember. It's all a blur now.