nipple shields- anyone with personal experience?

[myrubberduck]

Despite having latch etc checked by various HCPs I had a dire time BF my first child. I am pg again and am considing having nipple shields on standby in case the same problems arise . I would be really grateful if anyone with personal experience of using them (good or bad) would care to share their views???

For me i would not have been able to continue breast feeding without them. I found feeding REALLY painful (made me cry every time) because my nipples cracked and bled. It got to the point where i would dread feeding my DD. The midwife recommended a shield which in the end gave my nipple the opportunity to heal and continue feeding from that breast pain free. I only needed to use it for a week or so and i would go as far as saying it has been the best purchase i have ever made because i now get to enjoy wonderful cuddles with my DD every time i BF.

I used them. I found the Medela ones fit me best. The LLL has good advice about using them in 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' and a leaflet. Go online to their shop. I can also recommend their helpline.

I had similar experience to OceanBlossom above. They saved me on a Sunday when DD was 10 days old and I had a big crack (pieces falling off. . .) till I could get real-life support on Monday. I didn't use them long, and they aren't expensive, so I would have them for an emergency.

I know people say they ultimately inhibit milk production but I don't know if this advice is considered current anymore. In any case I wouldn't think a day or two would hurt.

I used them, I honestly don't think could have continued without them! I think I used them for about a week, maybe 2?

Used for weeks with DC 1, for a few days with DC 2 - highly recommend them. Boots own were best (tried avent and madela but too thick imo), use a steam steriliser if possible (moisture helps them stick) did not affect supply, latch, feeding, weight gain for baby etc. BF both DC for 1yr+

All of my babies have had small mouths and don't seem to open very wide, I found using a shield occasionally in the first couple of weeks with each of them enabled me to carry on breastfeeding when I would have otherwise given up. Would defo use them again, and have recommended them several times to other ladies.

I limited their use to when it was really necessary though, the advice I had read was not to use them for prolonged periods.

I bought the cheapo boots ones and it changed my life my boob is so engorged but the nipples in such a crap state i couldnt feed from it cos it hurt so badly. With using it the initial latch on can still hurt but ive been able to relieve some of the pressure. I also have a sneaky laugh when my baby comes off with the shield in his mouth :-D

IMO better to BF with nipple shields than not to BF (if you want to, of course).

However, just a little warning... I used nipple shields with DS1. I was only using them on one side, and then not every feed on that side. However, after a few days he refused to feed without them - on either side. I ended up using them for a few months, before I was able to wean him off them. They were a bit of a faff, and with hindsight I wished I had tried other things before the nipple shields. I know this doesn't happen for everyone (see all the PPs), but for me, I'd now regard them as a last resort rather than a first thing to try.

thanks everyone for sharing your expereinces!

I also used them with a baby who didn't manage to latch at all without them and was fed expressed milk until I was told about them on about day 12. They are a bit of a faf but was definitely worth it for me. I managed to go without but only at about the 4 month mark. I also preferred the Medela ones.

Of those I know IRL who have used (a fair few) nobody has had issues with it affecting supply and I suspect info on this largely comes from the times when shields were much thicker.