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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Nipple shields - fast let down - squirming ds

12 replies

kittypower · 14/10/2007 18:31

I posted last week about my DS feeding - he was sqirming and writhing and was impossible to feed. You guys suggested a fast let down, but I was sure it wasn't that. Anyway I think I was wrong and it is a fast let down as today it reached a peak where it was totally impossible to feed him, screaming, squirming and pulling off in John Lewis cafe. I was ready to give up BF as so demoralising this happening at every feed. In desperation I tried nipple shields tonight and we have just had a relaxed and non screaming, sqirming feed for the last 20 minutes - such a huge relief. Do you think this was the problem and are nipple shields ok to use do you think?
Thanks for your help
X

OP posts:
moocowme · 14/10/2007 19:52

if they work I would use them if i was you.

I use them for different reasons and will continue to do so if it means DS gets some bf'ing.

liath · 14/10/2007 21:33

I'd say if the shields work then go for it. I had a fast let-down & really struggled for a few weeks (now it's fab as ds glugs down a feed in next to no time!). Sometimes shields can affect supply so you could try taking them off part way through a feed when hopefully the flow has slowed a bit.

Niecie · 14/10/2007 21:37

I used them for the 13 months I fed DS1 and part of the time for DS2, for different reasons, so I personally see no reason why you can't continue to use them if they have solved this problem. People do seem to worry about them affecting supply but it was never a problem for me. Something to keep an eye on though, just in case.

fishie · 14/10/2007 21:39

no sorry but i don't think it'll solve your problem. i tried using them with very bad latch and they stopped it hurting so much, but also stopped ds getting much milk.

it is likely they will also stop your ds getting so much milk which will likely affect your supply = no more bf. have you looked at kellymom? does this sound like you?

fishie · 14/10/2007 21:43

also kp, was he just maddened by john lewis visit? (odd creatures babies, i'd love to spend the day there)

AussieSim · 14/10/2007 21:44

I used them for 4 months with DS1 till he was ready to give them up. I didn't have a supply problem. DS1 was premmie and apparently my nipples pretty flat but heaps of milk.

Whatever works!

HTH

2HappyFrighteningPeople · 14/10/2007 21:49

Anecdotally, I used them with ds1 and it certainly never seemed to affect how much milk he got, but of course every baby is different. However, if they're the only thing you can find that help, and the alternative is stress, pain, and upset then maybe, while keeping an eye on ds's weight, they're a good idea. Plus, if without them his feeding is impossible, how much is not using them affecting how much milk he's getting (as opposed to how much is using them going to affect it)? Though I think fishie has a point about the distractions in JL maybe having an effect!
And not that it's my own personal hobby horse or anything, but have you checked for tongue tie?

Jackstini · 14/10/2007 21:51

I used them from day 4 when my milk came in as my nipples were so stretched dd couldn't latch. She has since refused to feed without them. Didn't do me any harm though - still feeding twice a day at 18 mo!
Glad you had a lovely feed - long may it continue

katepol · 14/10/2007 21:57

Another here to say that shields worked for me (and my 3 dc!) I used them for about 4 months with each. Best ones I found were by NUK - very thin solicon and good shape.
I used them because the dc's couldn't latch well, but also had fast letdown - have you tried feeding 'uphill'?
I would say that shields are a real faff, so for easy bf, I would prefer not to use. Hwr, if it works for you at the mo - go for it!

Original poster
kittypower · 14/10/2007 21:59

It wasn't John Lewis that made him angry! He has done this for every feed for a week or so now, i keep thinking next feed will be better and trying to be positive, so I thought I musn't be worried about trying it in JL just in case I get a good feed but of course didn't and it all went horribly wrong!! As you say he is hardly getting anything at the moment as so hard to make him feed so even if he gets less through nipple shields I guess that it is still better?
Tonight it was odd as I had nipple shield on and he was fine sucking away happily and I took it off and he latched on and immediately started screaming and sqirming and can't have been let down at the point and right at the end of the feed - it's all so confusing!

OP posts:
Pannacotta · 14/10/2007 22:12

Both DS1 as a baby and DS2 sceam within minutes of going into our local JOhn Lewis!! OUr branch is always too hot which seems to make them v cross...
Re the let down, I have fast let down too and found that feeding from one side only per feed helped a bit. Also DS2 is now 5 months and able to cope better with the fast let down. How old is your DS? DO you try to wind him when he struggles as I think the fast flow of milk makes them splutter and gives them wind IME.
There is lots of info on kellymom about this, I think its more common that you might realise.

determination · 15/10/2007 20:30

just thought i would add this link

Forceful letdown/oversupply

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