@satsumasandlemons I'm not, but I also know that they'll give me one at my hospital if I need it. If your hospital has a LC on staff, you probably won't need to worry about it. Plus, it's better if you can get through without it.
@satsumasandlemons our LC will also provide them if needed. They provided quite a few things if you presented a need (nipple cream, hydrogel soothing things for nipples, etc).
@satsumasandlemons I'm not, but I also know that they'll give me one at my hospital if I need it. If your hospital has a LC on staff, you probably won't need to worry about it. Plus, it's better if you can get through without it.
Why is it better? Just wondering if there was justification for the torture of not offering me one earlier...
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
@satsumasandlemons I'm not, but I also know that they'll give me one at my hospital if I need it. If your hospital has a LC on staff, you probably won't need to worry about it. Plus, it's better if you can get through without it.
Why is it better? Just wondering if there was justification for the torture of not offering me one earlier...
I used nipple shields with DS from week 2 until maybe week 6, with no support from a lactation consultant. I had oversupply, which is perhaps why it was fine. But it was totally fine - let me heal, got us into a great BF routine, and DS was in the 90th percentiles for height and weight for his first 2 years.
I am sure that nipple confusion is a very real thing for some babies. It never was for mine, but the fear of it meant I endured significant, painful boob injury before I caved and tried the shield that my mother absolutely insisted on. If you're bleeding and suffering, maybe that's a bigger threat to BF than nipple confusion. It was for me.
Okay so to clarify the "better to go without." It's obviously not better for everyone and they're around for a reason. It's only better to go without if there isn't a reason to use them. If you feel like you need it, by all means, use it. I'm just repeating what the LC told me with DD. It's better to go without if it's not a necessity. If you're bleeding and having problems, clearly it's a necessity. I'm relying on the LC to help me determine that.
I'm just taking lanolin cream, a couple nursing pads, and a nursing bra. I didn't get breast shields because the lactation consultant said try BF without them first and use them only if you need them.
@satsumasandlemons I bring my nursing essentials (soothies, breast shells, lanolin) because for DD2 there was no LC on staff the day I really needed them. So I pack them since they don't take up much space, then I leave them in my bag if they provide for me. I just wouldn't want to go without.
@nikkiandchris should I order one for each side or is one enough? So, do I wear this until nursing time and then take off to nurse? Sorry, I'm a little unclear!
@satsumasandlemons the LC at my hospital gave me two of the shells with the instructions to tuck them into my bra when I'm not nursing (or sleeping). If you're planning on ordering them, you'll need one for each side. But hopefully they'll be provided for you!
@nikkiandchris should I order one for each side or is one enough? So, do I wear this until nursing time and then take off to nurse? Sorry, I'm a little unclear!
I just opened my pack to double check and there are 2 in there! I wear them whenever I'm not nursing. They keep fabric from rubbing on the nipples and the airflow lets them heal. I think going topless would accomplish the same but... sometimes you need a shirt lol
I remember someone asked about using Thinx after delivery... I have now transitioned from disposable undies to Thinx and it's helping me feel like myself again. FYI I'm 11 days postpartum and the bleeding is pretty much late-period level. I especially like the high-waisted ones because they hold the tummy in too.
+1 to my pillow and a longer phone charger. I did shave my legs and use my makeup, but that's me, and I knew I would. I was also super happy to have my own clothes, except underwear, because the hospital ones were better.
@BusyZee I've been using a medela shield. You want to make sure you get the right size (an LC gave me one - not sure how to size it otherwise). I also learned a trick to turn the shield mostly inside out except for the very tip, put the tip over your nipple, then flip the rest of the shield right side out over your nipple to create suction so it stays in place. Not sure if that makes sense but maybe there's a video out there.
@BusyZee ditto to what @greenbean-2 said! My LC also recommended I put a small amount of lanolin around my nipple/areola to help the shield stick better. It worked OK but never perfectly. We don't have to use the shield anymore so hopefully your time with it is short lived!
@busyzee I'm using the medela shields (size 24) whenever I'm not pumping to feed and I have to hold the sides down until baby girl fully latches on. I also have to do the inside-out method that @greenbean-2 mentions to create enough suction. Sometimes she'll knock the shield off with her jerky newborn arm motions and I'll have to dry it off before reapplying.
Re: Hospital Bag & First Days
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
Actually scratch that - here's the kellymom article, @glitterfish-2
https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/nb-challenges/wean-shield/
I am sure that nipple confusion is a very real thing for some babies. It never was for mine, but the fear of it meant I endured significant, painful boob injury before I caved and tried the shield that my mother absolutely insisted on. If you're bleeding and suffering, maybe that's a bigger threat to BF than nipple confusion. It was for me.
eta: these are the ish if you need relief but don't want to use the shields for feeding: Medela SoftShells for Sore Nipples https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSP1PE6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qt3zzbYPCH4NW