Dreading second time round

[bubblegut]

I had such an awful time b/feeding with #1 and I am dreading #2's arrival. The only way I could feed was with nipple shields - these were fantastic but no one in hospital told me about them and I had to wait until I went home from hospital and the midwife came to visit to see me expressing every feed for the last five days before I was told about them.

With #2 I am planning on taking my shields with me to hospital but I fear I will be told by all the midwifes they are not good to use blah blah. I am very stressed out about having more stress added to the situation.

Has anyone taken nipple shields to hospital? What reaction did you receive?

[JPT]

If it's any consolation i also had a terrible first time around so this time went to hospital fully prepared with shields, dummies and even a bottle and a formula sachet.
I was given a talking to about dummy use but was encouraged to use shields if i needed them. For the record we are feeding fabulously

[misskittyfantastico]

Stuff 'em!

I have several friends that used shields very successfully - feeding for over 12 months.

Do you have a pre-admission interview or meeting? If so, I'd write a birth plan and state on it that you WILL be using shields and that's that.

[minties]

Hun, if the nipple shields are going to help you breastfeed then bring them with you. It's your baby, your boobs and your choice. i will say though that every baby is different and just because your first had trouble attaching doesn't mean your second will, I know so many mums that have struggled with bf the first time and gone on to have a much smoother journey second time around. My suggestion would be to go in thinking as positively as possible and give bubs a go without the shields first, but have the shields with you as a back up.

You also might want to give the ABA or an LC a call before bub is born to debrief about your first experience, and to get some tips and give you confidence to use the shields if you need to.

[Cue]

My hospital had no issue with shields, they recommended them to quite a few girls while I was there. Anything to help you BF can only be a good thing.

And if BFing doesn't work for you at all this time, FF is fine too - as long as bub has a full tummy you'll both be happy.

[bubblegut]

Thanks everyone for your comments, I will stand my ground with the hospital staff!

[baby4us]

My hospital provided some to me when my nipples were really cracked

[breakthemould]

This >
hun, if the nipple shields are going to help you breastfeed then bring them with you. It's your baby, your boobs and your choice. I will say though that every baby is different
and just because your first had trouble
attaching doesn't mean your second will, i
know so many mums that have struggled
with bf the first time and gone on to have a
much smoother journey second time
around. My suggestion would be to go in
thinking as positively as possible and give
bubs a go without the shields first, but have the shields with you as a back up.

You also might want to give the aba or an lc a call before bub is born to debrief about your first experience, and to get some tips and give you confidence to use the shields if you need to.

[breakthemould]

I battled for 7months BFing my first, he didnt like bfing at all from day one (seriously) and I used shields for a few weeks with him but he couldnr latch onto them either, so we fought with mastitis 3x nipple torture, him haring the whole thing, not attaching properly, etc etc and I was also anxious when I had my DD two weeks ago BUT IS GOING FAB!! She had a little trouble latching on the first 24hrs but worked it out using Baby Led Attachment which the hosp LC suggested and its all going wonderfully. Only had sore (not exruciating) nipples for 2 days.

I debriefed with a LC at hosp checkup thru pregnancy and it was helpful as she told me about baby led attachment, and I would strongly recommend both researching Baby led attachment, baby breast crawl, and talking to ABA or LC for you too. But def take your shields to hosp and don't be afraid to do what's right for you, ur bub and UR BOOBS!