Help - Been using nipple shields and now DD can't seem to latch on without them

[missbumpy]

I had badly cracked nipples and lots of pain in the first week or so and one of the midwives suggested nipple shields. I've been using them every feed and find them a godsend as feeding is pretty much pain free but another midwife has told me that I should stop using them as they're not meant for long-term use (DD is now 3 weeks old).
I've been trying to feed her without them but she's not latching on well and she doesn't seem to know what to do with my nipple. She seems a bit confused without the nipple shield. Also, when she has latched on without the shield, I've found it really painful...maybe because she's not latched on properly?
Has anyone else had experience of weaning a baby of nipple shields? Any advice?

Yes. Same happened to me. I used them because ds1 wouldn't latch on at all (I had five midwives surrounding the bed, offering encouraging suggestions, to no avail). Then we found that he would latch on when I wore nipple shields, but two weeks later he was not putting on good weight, despite feeding regularly and apparently well, with the shields on.

It took us a couple of weeks of encouragement/support to get our latch right, with regular visits to our local breast feeding clinic - I was advised to express in the meantime, too to keep my supply up.

You are right. If it hurts, then your latch is not right. Have you got anyone local who can help you get your latch right? Local NCT counsellor, or La leche group? It's not too late, but you both need to learn now. There are webpages you can look at, but there is nothing like sitting with another feeder or better still a bfing counsellor, and getting right.

Best of luck. You have made a great start using the shields, but phase 2 will be even better.

Thanks. I've been meaning to get to a bf support group but I'm still in that dazed and confused and barely managing to get dressed let alone leave the house stage! I'll try to get to a group this week.

Aw bless! I remember those early days sooooo well.

Ordinary vaseline is as good as anything for cracked nipples by the way, but gosh you are doing well persevering when it is so painful. Your midwife or health visitor should be able to advise you - though as you will have gathered from here, they are a mixed bunch and some give out just plain wrong info.

Your local NCT group or La leche league might have someone who can pop out and see you at home. If you google them, they should be able to advise.

And if not, keep on posting here. There are others who can offer advice and support too - usually lots of them!

Best of luck.

try to stuff the whole of the breast in the babies mouth.

try to get baby to open mouth as wide as possible and then stuff boobie in (past the areola : dark bit).

don't use vaseline as theis makes attachement difficult and slippy.

best solution for cracked nipples is.....

fresh air

so no bras, no tight tops, go au natural or with a loose fitting bathrobe/ t'shirt.

ask for breastfeeding support (councillor or midwife) to come to you. they won't mind if your still in your PJs and haven't washed your hair in days. they are there to help.

for help with positioning here are some link to best ie. most commonly effective practise:

www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=3#sub1

www.kellymom.com/bf/ start/basics/latch-resources.html

a BF councillor can suggest other positions which might help ease the cracked nipples.

perseaveir (sp?) as bf can be easy to do when both you and your baby have learnt the skill! as well as an immediate comforter to a crying baby!

: )

Where do I find a bf counsellor who'lll come to my home? Are they from LLL or NCT? Does it cost money? And are they any different to the community midwives and health visitors?
Thanks for advice

hi miss bumpy, i used nipple shields when my dd was first born as she was 5 weeks early and was struggling to feed. I wore them for every feed for about 2 months, when one day i was out and didnt have them. rather than bottle feed i decided to try and feed dd without the shield and to my delight she latched on no problems. so stick with it and in a few weeks you will find by trying to get your dd to feed without the nipple shield she will one day just get it. Good luck x

I would also recommend getting Clare Byam-Cook's book on breastfeeding. Its called "What to expect when you are breastfeeding" and really helped me. She is very no nonsense and quite stern
I also had her visit me in hopsital when DD was 3 days old not having fed properly and she was the one who advised me to use nipple shields (the HV and midwives were very anti the shields). PM me if you want her number. she isnt cheap and is based in london.

these are the best books (handbooks for BF):

bestfeeding (NCT me thinks publish this)
great pictures of how to do it, as well why to do it, where to do it etc

the womanly art of breastfeeding (US publisher)
more emotional support and general comments by mothers on breastfeeding

amazon it and you'll find them.

should be able to get from local library or maybe your nearest children's centre (surestart) will have a copy for you to borrow (as well as BF support).

midwifves should come and see you up to and including six weeks from birth. HV/GP from there on (though these aren't proberly the best people to talk to unfortunately).

for the best support and advice, please contact Midwife phone number and ask them what BF services are available in your area. my NCT BF councellor, didn't charge and we went to her home.

DD fed using nipple shields till 8 months old. I never could get her to latch on properly...

DS fed using them till he was 4 months then I managed to latch him on. He was then bf till 14 months old.

So it is not impossible. IME midwives and health visitors do seem to frown upon their use.

Have just posted to you on October post natal thread. BF counsellors don't charge and may come to you. Look up the websites for NCT and La Leche. They will have local group information - stick in your postcode and see what you can find, then just phone the number they give. La Leche is all about breastfeeding so usually any person that you phone is a bf counsellor. with Nct you could just get the person who organises the coffee mornings! Does your local hospital/ health centre run a BF clinic? Worth asking. Hope you are finding someone to help.

Hello I had the same experience as you dd wouldn't latch either to start with and I was using the sheilds, such a pain they were! But they worked for a time. I think the reason they are frowned upon by midwives etc is because they reduce your milk supply a bit as you don't get the baby suckling from the breast and therefore stimulating more milk to be produced, maybe try some expressing as well if that is a problem for you. I secong getting an NCT person out they are amazing, the one I had came out the next day and was lovely and so so helpful, dd is now 1 and still bfing thanks to that lady! I just bit the bullet one day and left the sheilds off unless dd was frantic and upset and perservered until she got it, it took a while but it worked. Best of luck with it and if you can get down to one of the groups they are really good, you realise that its normal not to be an expert breastfeeder instantly, meet other mums and the babies seem to enjoy seeing other babies too. I admit it is a misson to get yourself out the house in those first few weeks though! Good luck with it, it will come together I swear, it just takes time for you both to learn x