Probably silly concerns preying on my mind. Reassurance/advice please!

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

DD is nearly 14 weeks old, born 5 weeks prematurely. She wouldn't latch at birth - this was put down to her small size (3lb 15 at birth). We have been using nipple shields since she was a week and a half. Weight gain has always been good, and she is now 11lb 1, following 50th centile for adjusted age. Still using nipple shields but I am trying to wean off of these.
I probably put too much pressure on both of us, thinking once she does a feed without a shield that would be it! However she has done 2 feeds several weeks apart and now refusing to even try again! At first I was really only trying to wean for my convenience, but now I am worrying about supply. I had always tended towards over supply and would feel full before every feed, sometimes engorged over night. However for the last week or so I have never felt as full. DD used to feed only from one side each time but now wanting both sides. She never used to cluster feed, but is now every evening. So I am wondering if I have enough? Could it be the nipple shields causing a problem even though we used them for so long with no issues?
She does have a cold, so could that be causing the change in feeding behaviour? The cold started around the same time.
Could there be another issue causing refusal to wean from the shield? I have what I believe to be forceful let down and fast flow. I see what comes out and wouldn't want that going in my mouth! So could that be the issue?
Sorry for the essay.

[geekaMaxima]

Bump.

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

No one? No one can put my mind at rest or offer any pearls of wisdom?

[FlossieTreadlight]

I'm not a massive expert but I wondered if you are experiencing a few things at once... Cluster feeding could be a growth spurt + boobs feeling less full because actually you've got into your stride with breast feeding? Could be that this cluster feeding could stimulate more supply.

my situation was different to yours - My DD was tongue tied (late diagnosed) so I had to heavily rely on nipple shields and combi feeding in the early days. I did manage to slowly wean her off the shields but by that point BFing had been killed for me and I moved onto EFF.

Hope some of this ramble is helpful

[FlossieTreadlight]

Sorry and meant to say that a cold could well affect her feeding both in terms of thirst and needing mummy comfort

[NickyEds]

Sorry no expert here so just another bump really but I know that I lost that very full feeling and stopped leaking by 14 weeks. Babies often have a growth spurt at around 16 weeks so the cluster feeding could be down to that. Is she generally well(apart from the cold), plenty of wet nappies etc?

[NickyEds]

Sorry x posted Flossie

[Em1503]

Hi, I can't offer any advice or pearls of wisdom sorry! Thought you might like to know that you're not alone in trying to wean off nipple shields though. My DD is 8 weeks today and I too am finding it very hit and miss. She usually point blank refuses to latch without them, but if I can catch her in the right mood without being too hungry then she will try. We've only managed one complete feed without the shield, but since then hardly any luck at all! It's do easy using the shield (apart from when out and about when I find it a faff!) but I'm also worried about potential supply issues!

That was just my long winded way of saying you're not alone!

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

Thanks for those responses.
Em - hope you manage to get rid of the shield in shorter time than we do. They are a faff!
Flossie - tongue tie has always been in back of my mind as niece had it. No one has checked or even suggested as option. I am so not ready to be done with BF.
Nicky - she is otherwise well really. Had second jabs on Monday and rotavirus vaccine so got the runs. Normal amount of wet nappies.

[NickyEds]

Then she's probably really well!
Get the Tongue tie checked if you can, before ds's was snipped bf was agony but I know it can affect bf in lots of ways.

[SmallestInTheClass]

I don't know about the nipple shields but I do know that when both of mine settled into feeding (ie. not going through a growth spurt) my boobs would never really feel full. It's quite normal for them only to feel very firm and full when your supply is increasing in a growth spurt or when they are cutting out one of the feeds as they get older so the gaps between the feeds get longer.

[tiktok]

Everything you say here sounds normal ( though shields can be a nuisance, seems like you are doing fine with them otherwise).

Lack of full feeling is normal with established bf. Everyone, or almost everyone, experiences a change in just the way you say, any time from about two or three months postnatal.

Have you found a good bf support group eg baby cafe where you can find support from other mothers with these sorts of everyday niggles and concerns? Might help :)

[TheGirlAtTheRockShow]

I just didn't expect the fullness to go so soon, but relieved its normal! Thanks.
We do go to baby cafe, but it's once a week, and couldn't go this week. So I'd have been stewing till next Wednesday!