My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

Nipple Shields?

31 replies

Pumble · 04/12/2012 17:56

I am just after a bit of advice of anybody can help, please?

My DD2 is 12 days old and initially caused a really nasty crack to my left breast, which hasn't healed at all and is really awful now. Whenever she latches on on this side, the pain is absolute agony and I have tears in my eyes, want to scream and really struggle to cope. Last night I was in so much pain, I asked my DH to go and buy some formula, even though, deep down I want to continue breast feeding (he didn't go). Once she is latched and the initial 45 - 60 seconds has passed, the pain goes away.

I saw the midwife today and she suggested that I try nipple shields to try to allow the crack (calling it a crack seems silly given the size of it!) to heal and then go back to feeding without once it has healed. I know nothing about nipple shields and am worried that if I use them, it will somehow stop my DD2 feeding properly or go off breast feeding. If anybody has any experience of nipple shields or any other ideas of how to help the nipple to heal, I would be so, so grateful - I'm not sure how many more feeds I can cope with like this.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Report
Pumble · 08/12/2012 11:14

So in my zombie like state I got my latch wrong on my good side last night so that now has a big, bloody crack on it.... Don't know how I'm going to feed on it today. Chickened out so far and done expressed milk in a cup which is so hard when all she's doing us trying to root Hmm

OP posts:
Report
Fisharefriendsnotfood · 08/12/2012 11:38

Have you not got the shields yet?

Report
Pumble · 14/12/2012 04:38

As I sit here feeding from my bad side having not screamed during the feed I just wanted to thank you all for your advice. It's so wonderful to be properly enjoying bf my DD2 without the terror I was feeling. I'm not completely healed due to a very bad case of mastitis but getting there Grin.

OP posts:
Report
AndBingoWasHisNameOh · 14/12/2012 13:48

Great news. are you using the shields?

Report
Pumble · 14/12/2012 14:24

Yes, using the shields and had a bf counsellor visit which has made a big difference too. She's going to come back when all completely healed to help me come off the shields too.

Its amazing how much more positive I feel about everything because feeding is so much better! Grin

OP posts:
Report
AndBingoWasHisNameOh · 14/12/2012 16:04

That is fabulous Pumble

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.