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Using a shield to breastfeed

kjones115kjones115 member
in Breastfeeding
My daughter is just over 5 weeks old. I'm breastfeeding with a shield and pumping on occasion. She eats great with the shield and takes the bottle but I can't get her to latch without the shield. Does anyone have tips on transitioning her to eat w/o the shield? I'm thinking of going to see a lactation consultant soon to see if they can help. I started using the shield bc they thought her mount was a bit small and the shield would help her latch on.
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Re: Using a shield to breastfeed

  • libby+natelibby+nate member
    We nursed with a shield for 10 weeks. My little one was small as well and could not latch well. I tried everything from skin to skin, morning feedings where I could squirt milk in her mouth first, slipping shield off halfway through a feed, feeding when not hungry, and feeding when sleepy. When she was 10 weeks she knocked it off and latched right on! Never looked back! I think she just had to do it on her time. I suffered a lot of clogged ducts though and very long feeding sessions with the shield. I definitely think a lactation consultant is a must! Just remember when you are frustrated, that it is just temporarily allowing you a means to feed you baby and that it won't be forever :)
    Best of luck!
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  • drmama115drmama115 member

    Been there, done that!  I definitely think a lactation consultant is helpful.  But be sure it's someone who won't make you feel guilty for using it or try to get you to transition before it works for the two of you - a breast shield is a GREAT tool!  I also found understanding the latch using YouTube videos to be helpful.  I found it best to practice non-breast shield latching when my son wasn't super hungry and not really tired.  It made a big difference in my mindset.  I know it's hard, but try to relax.  One session isn't life or death, so don't treat it like it is.

    The bottom line, do what you can.  I'm five months into it and while latching is no longer an issue (kid has a great latch, wow!), I haven't been able to make enough milk.  So what?  I do what I can and make sure he gets enough food to grow.  And that's all you can do.  Just remember not to make yourself crazy.  It's so easy to do, and things feel intense, but things do get better. 

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  • tvgirl102tvgirl102 member
    This makes me feel better! I'm only one week and 2 days in and using the shield. Now she just doesn't want to latch but most the time I figure, oh well at least she is getting milk now.
    The only thing that I feel will be hard is breastfeeding in public and trying to put the shield on under a cover.
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  • maelily15maelily15 member
    My DD was having a lot of trouble latching and staying on. We worked with a LC since she was 4 days old (going twice a week) but she just wouldn't do it. But at 4 weeks old, she finally latched and has gotten to the point that she will latch twice a day. I still pump and supplement since my supply isn't enough to satisfy her, but if you keep working on it and work with a support system, they might learn to latch on their own. Good luck! I know how hard and frustrating it is but it's so worth it when you succeed (I cried the first time she latched without assistance).
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  • kjones115kjones115 member
    Checking out YouTube videos sounds like a good idea. Until I can see the lactation consultant I'll probably do that. She eats great with the shield but I don't want to have to always use it.
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  • kewtifulkewtiful member
    Until I stopped nursing at 11.5months I used the shield everytime. Never did it without since the hospital!! hahah
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  • etayisloveetayislove member
    Weaning baby off the nipple shield can be tough work, remember an LC is always helpful no doubt, but your local La Leche leaders are wonderful resources if you run into trouble as well!

    It is recommended that you wean off a nipple shield as soon as you feel comfortable to do so, as they can negatively affect your supply. Some moms have had good luck when switching sides to take it away, others half way through a feeding, still others do cold turkey, and lots of women will wean them away a feeding arcade time, like not using it at the first morning feeding, for example.

    Usually, you will have the most success when you try it at a low stress feeding or one where they are going to be sleepy and not as likely to fight you when taking it away.

    Remember, that breastfeeding is a learned behavior and your basics for a correct latch. Positioning babies head as if they were drinking from a cup, wide open mouth, aiming your nipple towards the back roof of their mouth, and as much areola as possible in their mouth.

    Best of luck!
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  • kjones115kjones115 member
    @etayislove thanks for the advice! I never ended up going to a LC but have watched some videos and read some articles online.

    Over the past few days I've had some success. At least several times a day she'll do a complete feeding w/o the shield. It usually works best when she's not starving and we're both calm and comfortable.

    As for the La Leche League, I did look up the ladies that should be local but didn't reach out. Maybe that'll be something to put on the agenda for this week.
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  • etayisloveetayislove member
    That's great news @kjones115 ! So glad you are having some success, every session counts. La Leche is a great group, I've made friends there and love the atmosphere.

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  • Deebaz720Deebaz720 member
    I feel the same way!
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