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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

nipple shields

66 replies

LucyJones · 08/04/2004 06:27

Hi. Does anyone know if you can buy disposable nipple shields so that you don't need to sterilise. My 1 week old has already shredded my nipples to ribbons and midwife recommended shields but sterilising them is a complete pain. TIA

OP posts:

Fennel · 16/04/2004 10:43

hi Lucy how is it going now? are you finding it's getting easier?

MrsDoolittle · 16/04/2004 14:28

Gosh Thanks Lucyjones for starting up this thread. My baby is only 12 hours away from being a week old and my nipples too are in a sorry state. I sent dh in to buy nipple shields and he came home with a couple made by boots. I don't like them but they help.
This thread is realy useful
Other than the obvious nipple problem, I hope everything is going weel for you

MrsDoolittle · 16/04/2004 14:31

Sorry I should have caught up.
I am glad that you are feeling better and hope you are well on the road to recovery.
I have started an April thread!!

alamel · 16/04/2004 18:05

Just as a matter of interest, what are the downsides with nipple shields (just so I know next time I'm having problems and feel tempted to use them!)?

AussieSim · 16/04/2004 18:12

I used nipple shields till DS was 4.5months. The only down sides I experienced was the inconvenience of having to have them ready before each feed. Using them in public - takes a little bit of the discretion away while you are getting organised and latched. My DS decided himself when he didn't want them anymore and we are still breastfeeding at 15mths. Every baby is of course different, so maybe there are others who did not have such positive experiences.

hercules · 16/04/2004 18:14

Nipple shields do not allow the baby to get much milk hence prolonging feeds and not stimulating milk production very well. Also it means the baby is not learning to latch on and feed as it should . Having said that i used them with ds when my nipples were bleeding and hr fed for hous at a time until a hv told me to throw them away which I did and i never looked ack. If it hadnt of been for the ns though i would have to have given up.

Original poster

LucyJones · 16/04/2004 20:50

Hi all. Thanks Mrs Doolittle for well wishes. I'm not using the nipple shields now but they did help the niples heal and haven't affected latching on at all. It turns out I'm anaemic and have a womb infection which could explain why I have been feeling so low - I'm on medication now and hoping to feel back to normal soon. Ds doing well but still occasionally feeding lots. Often feeds for 20 minutes at a time throughtout the day but midwife reassures me this is normal

OP posts:

mears · 18/04/2004 11:37

Nipple shields need to be used with caution. If a baby gets reliant on them they can be difficult to get rid of. They are a hassle because they need sterilised and take the spontaneity out of feeding. They do not teach the baby to latch on properly and that is usually the problem with nipple damage. They make feeds last a lot longer and they can reduce milk production by 40%.
They should only be used as a last resort and for as short a time as possible. Sore nipples are a sign that something is not right with the feeding and the problem needs sorted.

Original poster

LucyJones · 18/04/2004 23:14

Mrs Doolittle - where is the April thread?

OP posts:

hewlettsdaughter · 24/04/2004 10:50

Lucy, it's here .
Having problems with sore nipples myself at the moment - how are you now?

meandthomas · 28/04/2004 18:25

Nipple shields were my saviour! dd wasn't latching on at all at first and lost too much weight. Someone suggested giving nipple shields a go.
Yes they are a pain to sterilise but I found if I sterilised a tub as well I could have a sterile set for when needed. As for lack in stimulation, I never had any problems. Milk has been flowing! dd is now 6 months and happily latches on without. He now weighs in at 18lb 5 oz! It doesnt seem to have had any adverse side effects for him.

Original poster

LucyJones · 28/04/2004 20:28

Hi everyone. Not using nipple shields now but one nipple is still very sore. I mentioned it to the health visitor and she suggested different positions so at the moment i'm trying the rugby ball and lying down but to be honest it still hurts and the crack isn't healng. Ds is gaining plenty of weight and it only hurts initially and it's not bad enought to give up or anything, but oh it would be lovely to wash my hair in the shower without wincing in case shampoo gets onto nipple, or hug dh properly without fearing he'll press it too hard

OP posts:

fairyprincess · 29/04/2004 09:21

Hi Lucyjones,

Lots of good advice here! I would have suggested to cut of a little off the top of the shields each day to help your baby get used to feeding without the shield. Using different positions helps the nipples heal - lying down is great as can sleep & feed at same time (luxury!!)Breastmilk on the nipple will help it heal. Leaving nipples exposed to fresh air helped my sore nipples heal- took about a week & I was relieved when pain was gone. Antibiotics can cause for a thrush infection possibly causing sore nipples & pain that continues whilst feeding. Look out for any white spots on the nipples &/or in the babys mouth. Can be cured by cream from the doc. It doesn't sound like you have thrush as pain stops during the feed.

Hope things are improving -
Best wishes

mears · 29/04/2004 09:41

Lucyjones - use your shield on the sore side for 48 hours if you like but continue to feed without it on the other side. I used to advise trimming shields when babies wouldn't fix without them but that was when they were rubber. Now they are silicone and trimming leaves sharp edges. Making sure that he continues to feed without it on one side will hopefully prevent him from refusing to fix without it.

Original poster

LucyJones · 29/04/2004 09:44

Hi Mears - I'm not bothering with the shield, hoping trying new positions will help. Lying down is really helping, rugby ball is a bit tricky. ds is 4 weeks today and I'm so pleased I'm sticking with the feeding. thanks for all the support

OP posts:

mears · 29/04/2004 09:46

Well done Lucy - glad to hear it is clicking into place

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