Nipple shields

Bltbear82 · January 2016

I know there have been discussions about the best pumps, but I couldn't find anything specifically about nipple shields. Does anyone have a recommendation or advice for nipple shields?

Most lactation consultants advise not to use the shields long term, but I'd really like to avoid the bleeding and cracking I experienced within the first few days breast feeding last time. I would love any suggestions so I can bring them to the hospital with me this time just in case.

wsgjmw1 · January 2016

I don't have any advice here as a FTM, but I am going to follow this because I am also curious. My co worker DS is 8 mo and she swore by the NUK nipple shields and Avent thermal gel pads.

Huskerfanz · January 2016

lurking from June

I had to use a nipple shield with DS because he was in the NICU and wouldn't latch without one at first. It was a PAIN. I couldn't nurse without it so I had to make sure it was near and clean for all of the sessions which are frequent when he was cluster feeding. Or MOTN had to track one down. I couldn't leave the house without one. Did you treat the bleeding and cracking at all? I would really try to treat that before doing a shield. It was a huge pain to wean him off of it, too.

LadySamLady · January 2016

FTM here but I have a dear friend and coworker who SWEARS by Pumpin Pals Super Shields. She had/has latch issues with both of her sons and exclusively pumps for the first year so I really trust her advice.

JessicaB0627 · January 2016

DD wouldn't latch so we tried nipple shields. They gave me a few in the hospital, so you might be able to save a few dollars and get some while you're there!

finnybooboo · January 2016

I used a nipple shield the entire time breastfeeding my DD because she had a hard time latching properly + mangled me in the process that first week. Ouch. Getting her hooked on using it was a total pain, however, it is probably the only reason we continued bfing as long as we did. As PP mentioned, she wouldn't nurse without it and weaning wasn't successful, so we ALWAYS had to have one handy. I also can't tell you how many our dogs ate, sending my husband on a late night trip to Walmart to pick up another one. We used the Medela brand, and I had no issues. They're about $10 a pop, and I felt like I was buying them every week or so.

I'm going to try my darnedest not to use one this time, just because of the inconvenience it made. Since I'm a second time mom, I also now know that once you get passed that first 3 weeks of horrible pain, it. gets. better! I'm stocking up on lanolin cream and going to try to power through!

Bltbear82 · January 2016

Huskerfanz said:
lurking from June

I had to use a nipple shield with DS because he was in the NICU and wouldn't latch without one at first. It was a PAIN. I couldn't nurse without it so I had to make sure it was near and clean for all of the sessions which are frequent when he was cluster feeding. Or MOTN had to track one down. I couldn't leave the house without one. Did you treat the bleeding and cracking at all? I would really try to treat that before doing a shield. It was a huge pain to wean him off of it, too.

@Huskerfanz yes, I tried anything and everything to treat the bleeding and cracking - slathering on lanolin, airing out after every feeding, gel soothies - and the only thing that worked was to just stop feeding from that side entirely until they healed enough (almost a full week) per the lactation consultant. It worked but I felt like my supply was never great on that side and I feel like that contributed to it.

araecasey · January 2016

I'm a strong proponent for avoiding nipple shields. They can cause more issues than they solve. Sure they work for some nursing pairs under the watchful eye of an IBCLC, but for the vast majority they cause problems.

I highly suggest getting connected with La Leche League while you're pregnant so you have a network of experienced nursing moms to call on if latch pain becomes an issue (have I said this often enough yet? I hate to be obnoxious in this recommendation, but it's so important for new nursing moms to hear). I also STRONGLY recommend having something called All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO) on hand. You can get a script from your ob/midwife and take it to a compounding pharmacy, or you can make your own using Dr Jack Newman's recipe that uses over the counter medicines. APNO heals cracked and bleeding nips like you wouldn't believe. Way better than any nipple cream you can buy off a shelf. Nipple magic in a jar.

LadySamLady · January 2016

Guess which FTM didn't realize there were nipple shields to use while BFing (vs pumping)....

araecasey · January 2016

Lol @LadySamLady . There's a ridiculous amount to know. I was so overwhelmed with all of the bfing info as a ftm. But I've also heard nothing but raves about the pumping pals instead of using the stock flanges that come with breast pumps!

Bluejay3030 · January 2016

The nipple shield (forget the brand, but I think they're all about the same) was my best friend and worst enemy. It was the only way my daughter would latch when we finally got BFing working at around 3 weeks. But that thing was a PAIN to wean DD from (it took about 5 weeks from start to finish to get her to stop using it completely), a pain to clean so that it would stay on, and a pain to remember to bring along with us everywhere we went. Also, even with it I still had cracking/bleeding/pain issues while we worked on latch. All that to say I think these things are great if it's your only hope of your baby latching, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a first line of defense against bleeding/cracking. I would definitely try a variety of creams first!

kbrands7 · January 2016

araecasey said:
Lol @LadySamLady . There's a ridiculous amount to know. I was so overwhelmed with all of the bfing info as a ftm. But I've also heard nothing but raves about the pumping pals instead of using the stock flanges that come with breast pumps!

There is a ton to learn at first, no problem, @LadySamLady! I swear by pumpin pals flanges too-- they made pumping SO much more comfortable.

LadySamLady · January 2016

This is all I can think of now...

kami09 · January 2016

Okay so we had a not so horrible experience with nipple shields. I used Medela with DS...I had extremely flat nipples and he would only latch using the shield.

Yes, it was annoying in the motn when I had to turn on the lights to make sure it was on properly...but that's my biggest complaint. He bf using those for 3 months. One night I just didn't put it on to see if he would latch...and he did! & we bf up until a month ago like normal!

lionstigersbears · January 2016

I never used a shield. When my midwife gave it as an option when I got a pretty deep crack on my left side I asked for another option. That's when APNO saved me @araecasey !

I used earth mama angel baby nipple butter for healing, lanolin for barrier, and APNO when I got a crack about 1 week in. APNO healed my crack in days, and I fed in a football hold to keep DS latch off the crack.

To OP, maybe have some on hand in case but get some of the other good products mentioned to try before reaching for it, if you're worried about the inconveniences!

Unicorn522 · January 2016

My breastfeeding journey with DS was short lived but only made possible with a shield. I couldn't get him to latch at all so the shield was our only hope. Due to many other things happening i switched to pumping and by 3 months was done.

I'm curious, those of you who have used a shield in the past, how did you store your shield to keep it clean between feelings?

Jenly17 · January 2016

I used a nipple shield bc of a poor latch that was actually tongue tie. As many PP's have stated, it was a huge hassle!

Once her tongue was clipped I hired an LC to come to my home and diagnose what was going on with my feedings. It was such a stressful time in my life but honestly the best money spent. Before you go the route of nipple shield, try a professional LC! Your hospital should have lots of good resources for you too.

Bltbear82 · January 2016

Thanks everyone! I actually had a professional lactation consultant come to my apartment after we were discharged. She was was great but all she was able to say about healing the cracking was to avoid feeding from that side entirely until it healed a bit, so perhaps I'll do more research and find someone else for this go around.

araecasey · January 2016

Good idea @Bltbear82 . Give preference to LCs who are internationally board certified (IBCLC), they're much more knowledgeable. And for reals, go check out a support group if the going gets rough again. No one needs to suffer through feedings.

kami09 · January 2016

I apparently didn't read until the end...sorry! I would also recommend not using it because of bleeding/cracks. I'd only use it if absolutely necessary.

kp90 · January 2016

Can someone please tell me what the heck a nipple shield is? All this terminology is overwhelming... and makes me feel dumb.

Jenly17 · January 2016

kp90 said:

Can someone please tell me what the heck a nipple shield is? All this terminology is overwhelming... and makes me feel dumb.

It's a plastic shield that you place over your nipple when breastfeeding. They're sometimes used for a poor latch, or like in OP's case, a bleeding or cracked nipple. Glamorous, right?

kbrands7 · January 2016

These are long reads, but may be helpful.
https://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/lv/lvjunjul00p39.html
https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/nb-challenges/wean-shield/
Basically, it's a cover for the nipple. It's really only something that should be used to overcome a particular set of breastfeeding issues. If your baby latches well, there's not really a need to worry about possibly using one.

kp90 · January 2016

Thanks ladies @kbrands7 @jenly17 Lets hope I won't need them. I was just curios. So much to learn and know yet!

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