How to wean from nipple shields - any ideas??

[dueat44]

Without these, I was not able to b/f, so I am very grateful to them, but now we are established i should like to get rid. DD just seems confused when I take them off - I've been trying her for a few weeks now.

Any ideas?

I had exactly the same problem. The midwife gave me nipple shields in the hospital and we were stuck with them from then on for a few weeks. My local midwife was furious with the hospital! Good news though - she now bf s fine without nipple shields. Afraid it just took lots of perservance, and will power - not to resort to the shield too soon. TOtally feel for you!

Hi dueat, it's difficult isn't it? Took me nearly 5 months, I've only been free of them a couple of weeks. Don't have time quite now to list all the things I tried, but if you search for nipple shields there have been 2 or 3 recent discussions that might help. Afraid tho that they are a complete bind, but as you say if you hadn't used them you wouldn't be bf - same with me, can't believe I've lasted nearly 6 months! Will try and post back tomorrow when I have a little more time.

DS was 4 months before he would feed without them. DD was the whole 8 months and then I gave up!

We had to use shields to start with too. I just kept trying him without them and eventually he went on one time, then a week later a couple of times, and eventually we got rid ofthem altogether.

I did try him when he was really relaxed, half way through feeds and a bit sleepy, he seemed more open to trying new things that way.

But just bear in mind, even if you never get rid of them, you did manage to bf and that's the main thing, even if it does get delivered through plastic. (my HV was not pleased with the hospital for giving me shields either, but it pretty much saved our bfing which would have failed in the first few days otherwise !)