anyone use nipple shields?

**chasesmum** · 16-07-2005 15:31

my son was 2 weeks early and very tired from traumatic birth and jaundice. I also have quite flat nipples and he found it very difficult to latch on. After 5 days of persisting with 3 hourly feeds and a child who couldnt quite get it, so would just nore at my boobs, they were very soar andi was ready to give up. Someone sugested nipple guards they have worked very well and we have both been a lot happier since.
It is much easier but i feel that i am cheating and have read that there not good to use and hard to ween off.
Has anyone used them and have any advice???

**StormAngel** · 16-07-2005 16:10

Hi Chasesmum

I used nipple sheilds with my oldest, ( he too was early (3wks) very bruised and jaundiced.)

Don't think in any way that you are cheating!

If you feel comfortable with weaning him off then certainly give it a try, maybe just every so often try feeding him without it, if he's not happy about it try again another time

Hope i was of some help to you

**Rainbowbrite** · 16-07-2005 17:07

I used nipple shields with MJ who's now 8.5 weeks. She too was 2 weeks early. We used them because have small nipples

and she would not latch and the pain was killing me.

I found though that when she was about 4 weeks old, she would chew rather than suck and have since stopped using them. She now feeds great as she has learnt what to do.

Honestly I don't think i would have perservered if i didn't have them.

**Milly** · 16-07-2005 21:26

I used nipple shields when I first started breastfeeding. They were a godsend for me. I used them as I have very sensitive small nipples. My nipples were cracked, blistered and very sore. I tended to rotate them a bit so bubs and I would not rely on them, but at first I used them very regulalrly before we weaned ourselves off them. I also used a breast pump to help stimulate supply too. They are great. Just remember that they may not stimulate your supply as well, but they still do work well, and with rotating them this allows you to get a stronger stimualtion too. But it may depend on what you and bubs find what works best, so play that by ear. They were such a saviour though. You are not in any way cheating! and if you have flat nipples they are really quite a good way to go. You will find as your baby's latching gets better they will suck in all of your nipples so being flat will not be an issue at all.

It takes a good 6-8 weeks at least to establish breastfeeding and that is both for mum and baby, so do not put too much pressure on yourself. Go with the flow. You are doing a great job for persevering with it and I really recommend nipple shields if you are having difficulty. We found them brilliant. We just weaned off them when the time was right.

We found that once we all got the knack at the 6 week mark breastfeeding became so easy. I was so glad I perservered.

All the very best with it!

**our little treasures** · 17-07-2005 00:47

Your not cheating!! Your baby is getting the best food available. I used nipple shields as I had heard of them through a midwife who had given a set to a lady with twins.
My dd was like a shark I didn't know how to break the suction and she wasn't ready well needless to say I was bleeding and crying once I got her off, I tryed to keep going but sent hubby to the chemist and he was then my hero.
The nipple had a chance to heal I learnt to break the suction and she breastfed for 13mnths. I've heard people say don't use them etc but I will do it again with this bubba thats due.
WELL DONE for breastfeeding and not giving up! We all know the ups and downs

**Nickster** · 17-07-2005 10:22

I too used nipple shields as after only 1 week of breastfeeding, my nipples were so sore I was crying and wanted to run and hide whenever my baby needed a feed. I used them for about 2 more weeks until I saw a lactation consultant, who gave me help with positioning, and found I then used them off and on for about another 2 weeks, until there was no more pain. I know the ABA doesn't recommend them, but the counsellor there I spoke to said to me "whatever works", and I figure they got me through a rough patch, and if it was a choice of using nipple shields and continuing to BF, or going onto formula, the nipple shields won out every time!! I found personally the pigeon brand to be the best, they didn't slip off as easily as the Avent brand. I bought a few and kept some for home and some for the nappy bag, all sterilised in tiny tupperware containers. Not cheap, but cheaper than bottles and formula!!
May I suggest you also see a lactation consultant (privately). Mine was a godsend for me!

**mitchsmum** · 20-07-2005 17:53

Our midwife introduced us to the nipple shield and I know had she not done that I would have never continued with BF I found that it helped me to attach with confidence.
We used it for about 6weeks.
I felt like I was cheating to but now feel whatever works. I really wanted to BF and was glad to have found the shield in those early days. My little fella is now 4 months old and we are still feeding.
One way of whinning is to use the shield for attachment ( you know when they go nuts to get milk ) then when they have settled down take them off and reattach to your nipple ( provided its not painful )

**red crayon** · 20-07-2005 18:30

similar story - spencer was early and was bruised and jaundiced. i have a flat left nipple and he'd just slide off and wasn't able to latch. the midwives at st v's recommended a nipple shield. i was initially doubtful but they worked. spencer and i used them until he was about 4 months. he then developed a supersonic suck and didn't need the nipple shield anymore. i didn't need to wean him off them. he told me he didn't need them by crying and carrying on. i got the message! and, no, you're not cheating

**EmilysMum** · 18-08-2005 15:28

Like the many stories above, I have been using a nipple shield to feed my bub who refused the boob and after an extension staying in hospital, a shield was suggested and she was able to latch on and feed. Its now 5 weeks and she is feeding well using the shiled as my nipples were seriously cracked and we needed time to heal. However early attempts to feed off the breast are not going well. Its only early days and i will continue to persist and try every alternative feed, however was curious if anyone had any suggestions. The problem seems to be she doesn't stay on long and tends to make clicking noises which indicates she isn't latched on well, however is happy sucking and gulping. I am a little anxious of getting cracked nipples again but want to persist with this. any suggestions?

**happymama06** · 30-08-2007 22:56

My daughter would not latch on properly to feed due to my flat nipples and her lazy sucking! She would hang off the end and it resulted in blisters and bleeding, very sore. One midwife told me I wouldn't be able to breastfeed. As a last resort, because I was determined, another midwife suggested nipple guards. Most of them were against it, saying my milk WILL dry up. So I tried them reluctantly, wondering whether I should keep trying without them. Well, my daughter finally got a proper feed and I finally got some sleep. I continued trying to feed with no guard, at least once everyday in the beginning and then only occassionally. I had many thoughts that I was 'cheating' or that I failed somehow.

It is now over a year that I have been using them. The inadequate feelings I had have been replaced with great fondness for my guards! They have helped me provide my baby with the best nutrition available, immunity and of course special bonding time. I don't feel guilty, just proud. I have never had any problems with my milk supply and two other mothers I know have been using their guards for many months successfully aswell.

My advice is to keep trying to breastfeed without the guards and make sure you exhaust every avenue of support available to you. If it gets to the point where it's just too painful or your baby just won't attach then try the guards, they've been fantastic for us!!!