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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Anyone used nipple shields?

24 replies

le42 · 06/02/2019 16:15

After birth I didn’t produce any colostrum and my baby lost a lot of weight, we were put on a feeding plan that involved forumla until my milk came through. It finally came through and I’ve had a strong supply. Because the baby got used to bottles I found it hard to get a good latch (I also have quite flat nipples) so I tried nipple shields which have been a god send. Working amazingly well.

The midwife today said these aren’t a good long term solution as they can affect my supply. Does anyone have experience with this? I thought I’d really cracked breastfeeding and don’t want to have to re-train baby now it’s going so well.

Thank you

OP posts:

OnceUponAGiraffe · 06/02/2019 16:17

First child, I used them for three months, fed for a year. Second child I fed for two years using nipple shields, third child I used for a few feeds after some initial damage.

So yes they can make an enormous amount of difference, and whilst they may not work for everybody they certainly did for me and #2...

MrsTerryPratcett · 06/02/2019 16:20

I used them for months because DD wouldn't fed without them. Got her off them eventually! I had amazing supply but I think that's luck. DD was a big feeder and that helps.

AmethystMoon · 06/02/2019 16:20

I used them for a year with my DD. I had very similar circumstances to those you describe. She wouldn’t or couldn’t feed without them.
I expressed as well as feeding her directly and had no supply problems.
I’d say if it’s working for you, stick with it.

Original poster

le42 · 06/02/2019 16:24

Thanks everyone that’s very re-assuring! I express once or twice a day so I can see the volume of my supply so I would know if it starts to drop. Feel sometimes the midwifes can be a bit scaremongering!

OP posts:

corlan · 06/02/2019 16:26

Used them with 2 children.Fed both for over 2 years with no affect on supply.

AmethystMoon · 06/02/2019 16:26

Good luck and enjoy your lovely new baby, I really miss having a tiny one

Bluebelltulip · 06/02/2019 16:29

I used them for 7 months, sometimes had to supplement with formula in a growth spurt as my supple didn't respond as quickly but always managed to remove the formula again.

Moominfan · 06/02/2019 16:32

They made a huge difference to me
Op. without I wouldn't have carried on. Mine were so sore I just couldn't face it anymore, it was a last ditch attempt to keep going and it worked. Once my nipples healed though I stopped using them. I had a breast feeding specialist visit me and help me get the perfect latch. My health visitor made the referral and she came the next day. After feeding id dab some breast milk around the nipples and let them air (only at home or somewhere private). I'd bite down on a dummy for the initial latch. I'd also use nipple creams and warm showers were a god send. After a few weeks the pain stopped and it was easy from there. Glad I stuck it out but I can see why so many don't.

ChoccyBiccyTastic · 06/02/2019 16:36

I used them for 8 weeks. Different reason- to avoid the excruciating pain of BF!

They did affect supply, so I stopped. DD didn't gain weight very fast. She dropped down the centile charts. It wasn't that I didn't have enough milk, more that the indirect suckling didn't stimulate the let down reflex sufficiently, so she wasn't getting enough. They did the job, though- my nipples had toughened up enough to BF without, and DD remembered how to suck, so it was fine. Her weight picked up to 25th centile, but didn't go above until I weaned.

KipperTheFrog · 06/02/2019 16:40

Used them with DD1 for the whole 15 months she breastfed for. Had over supply, so no issues there for me! Tried many times to wean off of them but she wasn't having any of it.

goodolddaze · 06/02/2019 16:43

Still feeding at 2.5 years with shields. Helped so much. Never had a problem with supply or anything else.

Megasaur5keeper · 06/02/2019 19:53

They can make a difference to supply. They obviously don't for everyone and save lots of people's breastfeeding journeys. I couldn't feed my baby initially without them but her weight gain was slow until she spat them out. Keep an eye on nappies and weight gain and do what works best for you!

WizardOfDot · 06/02/2019 20:05

I'm on my 6th month of feeding DC with shields due to oversupply/fast letdown as well as flat nipples. Original midwife said I should use them for a few days only, until DC got used to feeding, as they would affect supply- they haven't affected supply at all and I couldn't wean DC off of shields (letdown was too fast without a "barrier") and when I saw health visitor when DC was around 2 months (she specialised in breastfeeding support), she said that the nipple shields affecting supply advice was out of date as nipple shields used to be very thick.

fourthusernamebutwhoscounting · 06/02/2019 20:07

Used for 9 months.

Original poster

le42 · 06/02/2019 20:14

Thanks everyone - you’ve taken a weight off my mind 😊

OP posts:

Paranormalbouquet · 06/02/2019 23:37

I used them to transition from bottle to breast as DD2 had severe tongue tie which was snipped at 10 days old. Used them for around 2 weeks. Didn’t affect supply but I have an oversupply.

They definitely saved my breastfeeding journey but I hated them and was VERY motivated to get rid of them. Because they were fiddly especially in public and baby would knock them off! I’d advise you get help from a lactation consultant or breastfeeding counsellor and some hands on help to help you. Plenty of people use them long term without issues but if you can get feeding without them it will be easier.

RogueV · 07/02/2019 07:51

I am in a similar position to you OP but early on in the journey.
Seriously considering nipple shields as 2 week old DD is still mostly taking feeds from a bottle (she was late prem).

What nipple shields do people recommend?

Littlebelina · 07/02/2019 08:23

I found Medela (which I used for ds) better than boots (which I used for dd). For ds I had no supply issues but think dd did struggle to feed efficiently. Could have been the brand of shields or just her. In either case I only had to use them for a week before I could ditch them as my nipples had healed.

If they are working for you op I wouldn't worry. Might be worth trying without them once your little one is bigger as they can be a faff but only if you want to.

Rosieposie9 · 07/02/2019 11:02

Saved breastfeeding for me, my baby couldn't latch due to birth trauma but latched fine with shields. Trying to wean off them with great difficulty so may well end up using them long term. Definitely recommend the medela ones.

LittleCandle · 07/02/2019 11:10

I fed both of mine with them, one for 14 months and one for 9 months. I had a vast supply of milk and I could not have done so without them I am literally thin skinned. I used Avent ones, but this was 28 years ago so I am out of touch with the ones available now.

Original poster

le42 · 07/02/2019 11:16

@roguev I use the mendela ones as we have the mendela pump which I’ve found really good so just stuck with that brand.

Mums using the shields, do you think they affect the length your baby feeds for?

OP posts:

BibBobBoo · 07/02/2019 12:47

In my experience, once feeding was established, the feeds have lasted around 30mins on average but DC only feeds 4-6 hourly (and from 4 months occasionally sleeps through the night).

I have friends who breastfeed,without the nipple shields, and they feed for about 5-10mins at a time but can have up to 3 feeds an hour, and rarely go more than 2 hours during the day/4 hours at night, without a feed.

I know each baby is different though so don't know if my experience is because of the shields or not.

Nightlights · 07/02/2019 12:53

This thread might be useful:

Let's talk about nipple shields! http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast anddbottlefeeding/3482185-Lets-talk-about-nipple-shields

Original poster

le42 · 07/02/2019 13:05

Thanks @nightlights !! I’m going to stop worrying. My little boy is still slightly under his birth weight at 2 weeks so I’ve been sent to see a BF expert tomorrow - I hope she won’t think the shields are the reason as I feel like I’m just establishing a good BFing rhythm !!

OP posts:

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