Medela nipple shields

[mejon]

3 weeks in and I'm still in agony feeding DD2 from my right breast. I was in tears earlier as she is cluster feeding at the mo and I'm not getting any rest inbetween. The latch is fine afaik and DD is obviously getting milk.

I have bought some nipple shields but I'm not sure if I'm fitting them correctly as there is a gap at the top of the shield and DD wasn't able to do anything with them. Is her sucking meant to suck the nipple into the gap like a pump does or should I be placing the shield onto the breast folded up as per the instructions so that it sits on the nipple with a sort of 'moat' around it but with more of the nipple in the teat bit?

I'm close to giving up tbh - unfortunately DD will not take a bottle (have tried a few different ones), but have no idea how I'd get her to switch if I did stop or try mixed feeding.

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with BF. I've been using nipple shields for 13 weeks (DS is 13 weeks and 1 day...:o).

I find that there is an air gap between the end of your nipple and the top of the shield, but when DS sucks he creates a vacuum and the nipple does go further into the gap but not the whole way. I did find that folding them over a bit with my finger over the holes did help them stick on.

As DS has been feeding with them since he was born he doesn't have a clue what to do when I try him without the shield. I guess it might be the same for your DD - nipple confusion?

I hope it gets better and I'm sure someone else will be along soon with some more advice.

Thanks Zimbo. I've tried both ways and not had much sucess. Last night was better though - it appears to be far less painful feeding from that breast lying down so I'm not feeling quite so close to defeat today. DD also slept for pretty long stretches (had to wake her after 4 hours) so I feel more rested too and my nipple had a chance to rest overnight aswell !

Awww thats great to hear. Glad things are going better. I loved the idea of feeding lying down but every time I tried we ended up with a huge milky patch on the bed so I gave it up as a bad idea.

Oh and meant to say that I'm sure you're slathering on the lanolin inbetween feeds - when I had a crater gouged out my nipple cracked nipple, it really helped to soothe and heal!

:)