Breast Feeding with a Nipple Shield

Hello B.

I used a nipple shield with my daughter because she was 5 weeks early and did not have the suck reflex. She eventually became a pro and now is 2 1/2! I went to a lactation consultant and spoke to them often and they were a great help. As for weining off of the shield, the lactation consultants helped me with that process.

I pumped anytime I missed a feeding. The lactation consultants can also give you insight in relation to the pumping process. Good luck!! :)

Hi I used a nipple shield I did not pump much but you can to keep up supply. My son gave it up on his own at 4 months and was then able to latch just fine and we have had no problems since. I dont know if this is helpful. Good luck

Hi B.,
I used a nipple shield for the first five weeks. I did have to pump due to low supply and my son's inability to suck hard enough. After the 5 week point, we quit the shield completely. I dedicated one day to working with him on not using it and we were succesful. Some people find it easier to slowly transition off, but I just thought I'd give the other way a try. Suprisingly, it worked for us.
Good luck to you!

I breast fed with a nipple shield for a few weeks while I transitioned my preemie from a bottle to the breast. You should definitely continue to pump to protect your supply but also to make sure you are fully draining your ducts. I had an issue with plugged ducts during this time.

My daughter finally got the hang of breastfeeding although I was about to give up. I would latch her on with the nipple shield and pull her off once the milk was flowing and put her on the breast without the shield.

Good luck and consider visiting a lactation consultant for more tips.

Pumping will help extract your nipple which will eventually help wein off of the nipple shield...
Good luck with everything.

thX,
R.

B.
I never had to use a nipple shield, but I do know that pumping will definately increase and keep up your milk. I always pumped 1 after after I nursed. I made so much milk that I only fed off one side at a time and pumped 8oz out of the other side and froze it. I would keep on pumping it will help. I nursed all my kids for 1 year exclusive.
good luck, trish

I don't know your complete story so I share with you based on my own experience. You might want to attend a breastfeeding class or contact a lactation person if you think your supply might be depleted.

The shield was a life savor for us - my son was premature and could not latch without it. The shield was just a vehicle for me to be able to nurse my son - so I didn't pump between feedings. I did pump to store milk every once and a while. I went out one day and forgot my shield - had the milk, had the baby, couldn't get the milk to the baby! Needless to say it was a horrible experience. I felt so bad - my crying baby was hungry and I couldn't feed him. The decision was made to wean him of the shield and onto my nipple.

It took about 2 weeks to re-train him and me - it was very painful as he didn't know how to latch properly. I used nipple cream - it helped. I didn't give up and was able to nurse him until he was about 14 months. Once he latched properly it didn't hurt at all so don't give up.

I hope this helps you - remember - anything worth while takes time so don't give up! Feel free to contact me directly if you want to talk about it or just need someone who understands and can support you while you switch.

Good Luck!

Hi, B., I had inverted nipples, but was determined to nurse my children. When my right side finally evidenced half of the nipple I began nursing and discarded the nipple shield but on occasion had to use it again if I was too sore. More milk came that way than with pumping, so I didn't pump any more. Fortunately, my entire nipple emerged on the other side and all went well. I went on to nurse all seven of my children. May your problem be solved by now! God bless! L.

Hello- I see many responses below about your milk supply being fine. I used a nipple shield and was told by my lactaction consult that you need to pump if you are using the nipple shield. So I would double check with a lactation expert.

Hi B.,
It's been 3 1/2 years since I went through that, but I would definitely keep up with pumping for a little while if you think you're at all losing your milk. Better to have too much milk than too little (although there's certainly nothing wrong with a little formula too!) Another way to help your milk supply is a supplement called Fenugreek. You can get it at GNC or I think Whole Foods too. There's also Fenugreek tea. Good luck!!
A.

With three children I used ut three times. While it presses it helps create the milk. I would not worry about the pumping...you want baby to learn to establish milk supply...weaning, little by little encourage baby to suck without, start early...don't give up, it might be a frustration at times, but it is well worth it...

I used a shield for a couple of weeks. I just stopped and it worked just fine. Babies prefer being close to you and having 'the real thing'. I am not sure why you needed one in the first place, so I don't know if there is a milk supply issue to use the pump. As far as tips go... you have to be comfortable and this usually means confident also, be sure and have a proper latch and things should be just fine for you. I utilized a lactation consultant to help me. You can usually find them through the hospital or doula service. That was the best thing I did for me and my child. Enjoy!

hi B.,

you only need to pump if the baby is needing more than what he/she is getting from your breast. so if you aren't supplementing with a bottle and the baby is satisfied and growing, then no need to pump. :)

as for weaning off the shield, try starting a feeding with the shield to help pull your nipple out more, then take the shield off in the middle of the feeding and try to latch the baby directly to your breast. as the baby gets stronger, you won't even need to start with the shield. :)

if you need more help, there are probably lactation consultants in your area. i know that el camino hospital in mt. view has some.

good luck!

G.

All your advice is right on. I worked with a lactation consultant because I heard it "can" interfere with your milk supply. I did not have a real problem with supply because I fed him whenever he was hungry.
I have flat nipples and my son had no idea how to latch - he was even confused by bottles and pacifiers.At first we were worried I'd have to use them forever, but I used the sheilds successfully til 6wks. Then one day he was really hungry and Daddy couldn't get the sheild to us fast enough so I said ok try the nipple without and he latched beautifully. By this time my nipples had formed and his sucking reflex was better established...and I think he figured out where to get food! We used the sheild back and forth until he showed he liked the nipple without the sheild. (I tend to engorge easily, so he needed it sometimes to restrict my flow)
I didn't have a milk producing problem, so I can't speak from experience. But I know pumping is good, and it is good to have a big supply in the freezer. That can only help.

so don't worry about the weining, after 6 weeks you can try. It sounds like you can go cold turkey or gradually like me.
Again if your baby seems satisfied after eating and is pooping and peeing you are fine and don't have to worry about your supply.
Oh a tip, always keep an emergency extra one in the diaper bag, there were times we'd be out and we forgot to pack it!! I kept one in the car, in the diaper bag, we bought a ton! For 5 bucks it was worth it!
good luck!

i used the nipple shield during the first couple of months with my daughter because i had flat nipples and she couldn't latch. on top of that she was a very slow eater, and didn't gain enough weight at first. with the help of a lactation consultant, we decided that i would breast feed her for a max of 40 minutes, then pump out and my husband would give her the rest of the milk in a bottle. it worked very well and she started to gain weight. after she gained some weight and got a little stronger, it all got easier. if she had been gaining weight normally, i'm not sure that i would have pumped, but it was good to have the advice of a lactation consultant.

eventually i was able to pull the shield off part way thru a feeding and she could latch. soon after that she was able to latch without using the shield at all. we never had any issues with nipple confusion between all of the various feeding methods we employed.

I would say sure you can pump if you need to. As for the shield, I had the same issue and finally just had to start him on it then pop it off and keep working with him on the breast without the shield. It took a weekend of frustration and then elation when it actually worked. Keep at it it's worth it!

I used a nipple shield, it saved me when my daughter was born. I don't know about pumping, it didn't really effect my milk supply, but as for weaning. I did it later than some at 2 months. I started just trying to start nursing without it on for as long as she would then putting it on if she fussed too much. I did that once a day then twice then more... etc. until she was just fine without it.

I only used a shield with my first child - on one breast that was extremely sore. As soon as my breast healed, I took of the shield.

I would try a morning or evening feeding without the shield and slowly go to breast only, if your breasts are able to handle it.

I never pumped at the same time. Is there a reason to? Were you advised to do this?

Expecting #4 on 10/1/08!

my son only used the nipple shield when he was first born, and then one dasy we went to the doctor and i forgot one! thats was when i realized we needed to stop using it. what i did is i just stopped using it. it was not easy the first couple of times he wouldn't take it, so i would feed him a little with the shield on,and then feed him without it. that would make the nipple come out more, making it easier so him to suck. don't give up!

Hi there. I also used the nipple shields for 4 months and had to take my son off cold turkey as I got thrush. I didn't have to pump to keep my milk supply up as the shield was only there to train him how to nurse. You can always pump once a day or so if you have a lower milk supply, it can't hurt.

Just as an FYI...make sure to keep around 5-6 nipple shields so that at night you don't have to get up and wash them. If you don't have that many, make sure to wash after every feeding. I didn't, got lazy and would do it every other feeding because I was so tired. I think that is how I got thrush.

Good Luck!!!

El Camino Hospital's Maternal Connections department has a great drop-in support group... free of charge and no registration required. It's on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon to 1:30pm. Here's their info:

2485 Hospital Drive
Orchard Pavilion Ste. 361
Mtn. View, CA 94039-7025
tel: ###-###-####

If you visit them outside the support group timeslot you can utilize their couches, nursing pillows, and scales to do a weigh/feed/weigh if you'd like (no one is watching... the results are yours alone). I found it helpful to arrive early so my son was fed and happy during the discussion time as our latching was a tearful challenge for both of us those first few months (the "4th trimester"). I nursed DS1 for 15mos and I truly credit attending this support group for my continued perserverance. I remember how hard it was to watch most MaMas nurse so easily when we were struggling... hang in there!

I am currently using a nipple shield and starting to wean my daughter off of it. She's now 7 weeks. I've been using it since day 5. Here's what I do:

Nurse with the shield for 15 minutes (this draws my nipples out and by this time, my baby has the sucking motion down good) then slip it off and put her back on me. Sounds simple, right. It is. I was so scared to do this that I didn't start trying until last week. I thought to myself, "what if she won't latch on again without the shield?" then I thought she might need to be supplemented with formula for that feeding because she'll get too frustrated to latch on properly (which has happened in the past)... well, start her on the shield for maybe 30 minutes, then pull it off (by then, she already has gotten most of the fore milk and hind milk anyhow)and it's more for "practice and comfort". If she doesn't latch back on, that's okay because she got all the nutrients in the milk with the shield. IF you do have a SUCCESSFUL feeding without the shield, the next time, try to shorten the amount of time of her on the shield, pull it off, then put her back on. (I did this starting from 30 min on the shield the first time, then 25 minutes on the shield then 20 and so on..) I can't say it works all the time, but it's getting there. I've been trying to wean her off for only 1 week now...

Believe me, I understand how you feel. I felt envious of other mothers who just lift up their shirt and nurse, whereas I have to run to the bathroom, put on the shield and my biggest fear: what if the shield drops on the floor, especially if I'm not at home... Needless to say, I bought 6 nipple shields! Anyhow, all I can say is, "just try it" and don't be afraid of your baby not latching on correctly the first time. The feeling of her nursing naturally without the shield was amazing!!!

Good luck and feel free to email me with any Qs, as I am going through the "weaning off" process at this moment as well. =0

Hi B.,

I just read the responses to your request and thought I would add my own unique experience. I started nursing my daughter with a nipple shield at two days old b/c of flat nipples and latching problems. I also felt very ungraceful (as other moms have posted) when I saw other moms nursing their babes with such ease. I agree that it's a pain to always have a shield with you and keep it clean, etc., etc. I tried weaning the baby off at about two-three months--it was so frustrating and difficult, that in the end, I chose to just keep using the shield. We continued to nurse-with the shield-until my dtr. was 16 months old! Just a different story that I wanted to share--feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Good luck!

I used the nipple sheild for 8 weeks. It finally was a pain to do it in public so I just went cold turkey. Throughout the 8 weeks I would occationally take it off in the middle of a feed and see if he could just use my nipple...but that came with very little sucess. After a day of no shield, he worked it out and has been a happy, shield free feeder for the last six months.
The shield shouldn't interfere with your supply at all. It is just a prop to help the baby latch on to your nipple. If your supply is still low with the feedings, than sure, pump. The more that comes out in a day (pump or baby) the more that comes in, right? :)
Good luck! The shield was a godsend for me and my boy. I had a lot of breast tissue (large breasts) but small nipples. It made it almost impossible for him to feed on his own. I am SO glad I didn't give up and used the shield. I love breastfeeding now. It is so easy and convienient. Stick with it. You will get there.
All my best to you and your little one :)
-E.
First time SAHM of my beautiful baby boy :)

I had to use a nipple shield with my son when he was about 2 weeks old because of a nipple infection, and we used it for about 2 months. I was really nervous about weaning him off of it, but I'm one of the lucky ones. One day he wouldn't nurse with it, so I took it off, and he never used it again!

I'm not an LC, but I doubt a nipple shield has anything to do with your milk supply as long as you're still nursing as often as you would be without the shield.

hi B.,

i used a nipple shield with my son for about 4months...once he was breastfeeding all his meals i didn't pump anymore. your milk supply will be fine. it is all supply and demand...you will produce how much he eats. as long as your ped says he/she is growing fine then you are all good. i wanted to be done with the shield waaaay before my son was ready to be done. he got kinda dependent on it and i had a rough time weaning him. when i started to wean him i would start his feeds without it when he was hungry enough to just latch on and start going...he would then realize the shield wasn't there and would pull off. then one day he just didn't want anything to do with the shield...best day ever! good luck!

I used a nipple shield with my first. I also pumped to keep my supply up and I had milk in my freezer for months. If your baby is satisfied at the end of a feed I would say you have enough milk. But check with a lactation specialist there should be one in your community. I used the shield until Chloe was about 6 weeks. It really helped the sore nipples as well as helping Chloe to latch on. Once your baby can get the hang of the breast. Sometimes try without the nipple, I went back and forth for a week. No confusion happened. Chloe was a breast feed girl until she was 16 months.