August baby, mum using nipple shields

[kiamagirl]

Hi, I have only recently found this site but my daughter in 6 and a half weeks old now. I still can't quite believe she is safely here! I found feeding really hard initially but using shields we are still going, although I have had two bouts of mastitis. My LO is gaining weight and I seem to have plenty of milk, but the ladies at the drop in clinic want me to try and stop using the shields. Does anyone else have any experience with this?

[littleleos]

hey Im at woonona... had my baby at the gong hospy and they linked me up with a boobie drop in thing... I think they and the sheilds are tops

I was on the sheilds for 4 weeks and I found that it increased my supply prob cuz I was more comfy feeding my baby

I had really bad cracked nipples... then got nipple thrush and then also found that I had staff in my milk... some how I didnt get mastastits

are u using the medula sheilds that they recomend??? I have been told that they are thin enough to stimulate your milk production

the LC at the drop in centre also told me to start weening my self... I went cold turkey after being told that it takes longer to feed with the sheilds on no we are feeding for 10 min on both sides rather that an hr all up... aiden has turned into a super sucker

I have also heard of a lady using sheilds got 9months and then for her second baby

they all have different ideas down here... just do what u think is comfortable... it gets confusing as some people support their use and some dont

good luck...

[Tarabell]

I also used nipple shields due to cracked nipples and thrush and found that they actually decreased my supply alot and it took a few days for my supply to build back up... in the meantime I had to five E top ups of EBM from a syringe as he was screaming because there was not enough milk in my boobies... I will not be doing that again!

I have cracked nipples again and am just grinning and bearing the pain... panadol is my friend.

Obviously some women need to use nipple shields for many reasons and I probably would of more if it hadn't of affected my supply so dramatically.

T

[kiamagirl]

I do seem to have plenty of milk thank goodness, The nurses said my nipples were too small and flat to feed which is why the nipples got grazed in the first place but that the more I feed the nipples may lengthen so it is easier. Feeding does take ages, almst an hour from nappy change to finish, so the massive reduction in time is very tempting. My husband is away for the next week, but I may try on the following weekend when he is back, it will be good to have some suppoort, I feel massively dependent on the shields - have lost one several times as it has fallen off into the swaddle when I have put my LO to bed straight after a feed, panic stations! Am using the medela ones, they are amazing, would not be BFing without them, but that said, I want to continue, so don't want to risk milk supply decreasing. Thanks for your replies.

[smiley80]

hi there.. my bubs 6 weeks old and im using a sheild too due to cracked nipples.. been using it for about 3 or 4 weeks cause it was either that or formula for me it hurt too much.. i feel like ive got heaps of milk im always leaking and when i feed bub shes always got heaps aroud her mouth and down her arms dunno how that happens..my health centre keeps saying i should wean off it too and i spoke to a LC down there and told her i relied on it she said to keep using it and trust my own judgement i no my baby best and if shes getting enough.. shes putitng on heaps of weight and got heaps of wet nappies so she said to keep going. i did however try without yesterday cause i wanted to not cause people kept telling me too and im a bit sore today.. so im using it again.

[kiamagirl]

yes, we get the milk thing too, it's pleasing to see that there is plenty but irritatiing to have to change outfits so often! I have started loosely wrapping a muslin around her bottom arm and that seems to work quite well. I am sort of happy to use the shields, but now I have heard how Liana reduced her feed time, I am trying to rev myself up to have another go. However, like you you smiley if it doesn't work I will get straight back to the shields. I was in the same position, use shilds or formula and I am so happy to still be able to feed my LO.