nipple shields while out and about - what do you do???

[dellabob]

Currently, the only way I can BF is using nipple shields. I'm just getting used to it all and haven't BF in public yet (11 day old baby girl).

My concern is if the nipple shields need to be sterilised before use, how do I transport them around with me to ensure they remain sterile?

Anyone have any good tips and tricks?

Thanks

I used the Medela ones which came in a yellow case. I sterilised the case & the shields and popped them in the change bag.

Milton make a dummy steriliser that you can hook onto the pushchair. Would they fit in that? Or perhaps sterilise a small Tupperware type thing at the same time as the shields and then put the shields into the sterilised tub? You could even leave the fluid in there if its watertight and then you can re-sterilise after feeding ready for next time.

I use them too. My understanding is they only need sterilising once a day - just washed in soapy water the rest of the time.

I did the tupperware thing. Fed Dd for a year with nipple shields...

Another one who BF for a year with shields, just had a small Tupperware or similar that either sterilised or washed in v hot soapy water, seemed to work for us!

I was told they didn't need sterilising. Can be washed in warm, soapy water. Mine came with a case, but if you don't have one a small, clean tupperware-type box would do. Good idea to always keep a spare one in your baby change bag, as I forgot mine once when out and was really hard in the early days to breastfeed without it.

It takes a bit of practice to get them on discreetly when you're feeding in public, but is fine when you get used to it.

OP if you don't mind my hijacking, can I ask those who have used them whether you did so short term or long term, at what stage and whether you had any issues with the fables nipple confusion?

Smile what made you decide to use them for a whole year? I've only heard of them being used in the short term before.

I used nipple shields for about 4-5 weeks, didn't have any problems with nipple confusion as DS just started latching on by himself (when I was at home I would always try and latch him without them first).

I also only sterilised once a day and washed in warm water the rest of the time - a breast isn't sterile after all, and shields are not like a bottle - they don't hold milk at room temperature for hours on end.

Thanks mrscog - did you start with the shields from the word go or move onto them later?

I used the MAM ones which also came in a box.

I used for 9 months as bf was awful without. I had lots and kept clean ones in a box and put used ones to one side to clean later. After a while I just scalded with boiling water after washing rather than properly sterilise. They are a bit inconvenient but kept me bf. Both babies had v good weight gain. I was advised against long term use but would have given up sooner without them

There is lots of advice against long-term use, but I wonder if that info was researched in the days when nipple shields were thick and you could barely feel baby through them so milk production was reduced.

OMG!
I'm so glad this thread is here!
I've used nipple shields since dd was 3 days old as advised by the midwives as even though dd was latching on it was till very painful.
Thank you ladies.
I also struggle with using shields in public, but medela provide a yellow round container.
I was told on Thursday last week at a bf support group to stop using the shields. No weaning off, just stop. Let dd cry and express and feed with a syringe. It'd take a few days and then bingo!! Support worker even said 'I never met anyone who's used them for so long. You will be able to bond better with you baby without them'!!
UGH no! there is a reason I'm using the shields in the first place.

I'm so pleased this post is here as I don't feel so alone in using them long term. Its saved our bf relationship.

I used them from 4w to about 18w full time and then on and off for a while (five years ago so can't remember exactly). They absolutely saved our bf relationship and meant I could bf two DC for 26m each.

When "out and about" I'd make sure I took a clean one with me in a little pot - in fact I used a washed out mango chutney pot from an Indian takeaway because it was the perfect size and sealed beautifully.

comtesse I used them after the first week (DS wouldn't latch at all week 1 so I was expressing and cup/syringe feeding), then he managed to latch with medela shields so used them while he got more accustomed to latching. Was feeding completely without them by week 6, but weaned off them slowly from week 4 depending on how DS was doing and also depending on if I had any cracks I wanted to heal etc.

Thank you, that is all very helpful. I have flat nipples and my boobs seem to have very solid masses just behind the nipples in the breast tissue, so I am worrying about baby being able to get a good mouthful of boob in order to be able to feed properly.

I figure if it means I can BF rather than having to stop, then it doesn't really matter whether I use the shields or not - and if I end up feeding with them permanently well, so be it.

Totally agree with you ComtesseDeFrouFrou
Great username btw :)
All the professionals encourage bf, and we're doing it, with nipple shields, which should be irrelevant. We're still bf as you said

I BF dd for a year with nipple shields, she didn't latch on at all for 8 days and in hospital post csection the MWs helped to express and syringe feed, then with support from infant feeding coordinator, she latched on with shields.
I didn't have the confidence for a while to BF without them, then tried at about 10 weeks to latch on without; I persevered for a while without but she wouldn't latch on at all, until at a BF baby cafe a lovely peer supporter helped me see that using them didn't really matter, the fact was that we were still BFing and dd was thriving!

She did take a long time at each feed, even at 9-10 months a feed still took about 30 mins, but it was my decision to carry on for a year and I'm glad I did.