Anyone else use a nipple shield?

MrsRichey27 · April 2015

I was having trouble breastfeeding in the hospital and their lactation consultant gave me a Medela nipple shield. Apparently I have "flat" nipples so it's harder for baby to latch. It really does help, but I was just wondering if anyone else uses one and if I have to use one for the entire time I breastfeed?

nicolerae90 · April 2015

Yes. And it was a life saver for my right nipple! Its slightly inverted and when i get full, she cannot latch

adelems · April 2015

I used it for a couple days to help my right nipple heal (it was bleeding ..

) but then I realized that my son wasn't able to drain that Breast all the way when using it. I guess it had to do with the fact that I have SUPER small nipples haha. So there was a lot of space around the shield. It was a total sanity saver for that week I used it, but I was having to pump after each nursing ect. So as soon as poor nipple healed we went back to nursing regular and I just had to figure out what on earth was going on with our latch on that side (my left side had zero problems) that was causing such problems! Once we got that sorted everything got much better.

I did however have a flat/inverted nipple with my first (that righted itself after nursing her for a year.. Which I heard doesn't usually happen) on that right side so I'm sure that has something to do with it. I wish SOMEONE had told me about using a shield! would have made things so much better .

MauiQuickie · April 2015

I have flat nipples too and I still use my shield every single time. My baby still gnaws on them! I feel your pain. I'm scared to try it without the shield. The good news is that he takes a bottle too... Maybe because the shield feels like a bottle

cmcintos · April 2015

I use it on both sides because she can't latch. Now she has no trouble going between breast and bottle. Guess they are both similar to her!

myjessesgirl · April 2015

I don't use one, but to answer your question about ongoing use, a friend of mine used it for her son until about three months for latch issues. At that time she stopped using it and he nursed very well without it.

leibas · April 2015

Yes I use one and just saw the lactation consultant this week about how to transition to not using it. Her advice is working but I will admit is a work in progress if he's over tired or too fussy it doesn't work. She basically told me to squeeze my areola very firmly to make the nipple harden so he can latch, and that for now I may need to hold it that way during the entire feeding or at least until I'm sure he has a firm latch. She did tell me that initially he may nurse more often without the nipple shield and that seems to be true. We used to nurse every 3 hours now it's about every 2 hours. Although she also told me it may help with supply because it's a more natural latch providing more nipple stimulation. I hope that helps. Good luck!

MrsRichey27 · April 2015

I've tried it a few times without the shield already but we both just get frustrated haha. I might wait to try again when he's 3 months like a PP mentioned.

leibas · April 2015

MrsRichey27 said:
I've tried it a few times without the shield already but we both just get frustrated haha. I might wait to try again when he's 3 months like a PP mentioned.

Yes we both get frustrated at times too but then we use the shield. I continue to try to make the transition in hopes that it will eventually make it easier to nurse outside the house if necessary.

Charmedseed · April 2015

I have a preemie in the NICU and it works great for him! He breastfeeds better than he bottle feeds with it - I think it helps to give him something to latch on to since he's so little.

AuroraCelia · April 2015

This thread makes me so happy!! I'm glad I'm not the only one needing to use it every time I breastfeed... I will try around 3 months to transition her to no nipple shield. Thank you!

musicalmama09 · May 2015

I could only feed baby girl with the nipple shield and was pumping too. Around 4-5 weeks I got motivated and she was able to latch on without! After a while your nipples change shape, or at least mine have. There are still random times when after drinking breastmilk from a bottle or she's fussy, I've had to pull the shield out so that she will nurse better. But we have transitioned to BFIng discreetly at family social gatherings.. So much easier!

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