Nipple protectors - good or bad?!

[dolphina78]

I have a 2 week old DD that I have been determined to bf from day one. She's putting on weight etc so know she's getting enough but the pain has been excruciating and was ready to give up. Today got some nipple protectors which have been fab but have now read in a couple of sites that it can dry your milk up by half.

Does anyone know if this is the case? I was getting prepared to using them for the whole time I bf!!

Have you had your latch checked? BF should not be painful (apart from the initial 10 second toe curling pain)

Nipple shields can interfere with supply - your nipples need the contact and full force of your baby's suck to stimulate the supply if you place apiece of plastic between them then she will not have the same demands on your breast.

I know some people who used them until nipple cracks and cuts have healed then carried on without them.

well i think they've improved in recent years so you may be ok with them, but yes, they can prevent the baby from milking the breast effectively, so it can affect their intake and thus your supply.

if you're in a lot of pain then it's most likely a problem with latch, so I would really recommend seeing a breastfeeding counsellor to fix that and hopefully you won't need the shields any more

where in the country are you? there is a list of La Leche League groups here

They are brilliant if they enable you to keep feeding through a tricky patch. Having said that, you do need to ensure the baby is latching on properly. I exclusively bf my two DSs and had to use nipple shields for about 4 months with each until it no longer made my nipples sore, it did not affect my supply. I think I might be unusual in having had to use them for that long though, but despite having the latch checked, using Lansinoh, trying different positions, everything I could think of, I still got sore! Nowadays they are made of very thin plastic (I used the Avent ones) and as long as you are aware that they MAY reduce your supply that's ok. One tip from me would be to use one for the first part of the feed, then take it off when you get the opportunity. They are something that people sometimes feel strongly about one way or the other but I would say that as long as they keep you feeding they are worth a try! Good luck.

I used them with DD2 for a few days and have again used them for a couple of feeds in the last day or so with DD3. They have been a life saver and really helped my soreness.

Echo what others said about the latch but once you're at the point that nipples are cracked/bleeding even with the right latch it can be agony. The shields helped until I healed and didn't affect my supply.

I used both Avent and Mothercare own brand but would recommend the Avent ones.

Good luck!

My first child and I got addicted to them and I used them for 3 months or so.
With my third baby when I was having pain beyond the first week or so I used them to just ease me over a rough patch and was very cautious about over use.
My theory is that both of these babies had quite small mouths and found it difficult to latch onto the nipple. A nipple shield can make it easier for them. And you!

I have used nipple shields for 5 months with my LO, she has gained weight well and the freezer full of milk we have, would suggest that I have no supply issues.

They can be a pain - less discrete, more sterilizing, fear of forgetting them but have worked for me.

I recommend the medela ones.

if you are having any problems you could phone the BREASTFEEDING NETWORK support line.

they can give excellent advice about positioning, attachment, any problems you may be having, over the phone.

the number is 0300 100 0210.

good luck.

Another one who had no problem with supply. I used them after one week of bf dd#2 when nipples cracked and bleeding and feeding left me sobbing in pain. Stopped using them around 3 months and still bf at 9.
Second the Avent ones.

I do get annoyed when people say bf should,not be painful or its a latch issue. My nipples have a will of their own.

Thank you everyone, I am getting close to braving it without the shields but a great idea to use the shields for the first part of the feed and then take them off, I am going to try that!

Thanks again