Am I doing something wrong? (shields)

[FolkloreEvermore]

Having a bit of a worry. For context, DD is 5 days old.
We were readmitted to hospital due to blood sugar concerns. Before then I had been struggling to BF but had a couple of successful latches.
In hospital I started expressing and still tried to BF. Then someone suggested nipple shields as I have quite big boobs and it was revolutionary! Baby breastfed well and seemed we’d got a solution.
Since I’ve got home I’ve continued with nipple shields. However her feeds seem to be so long- over 40m per breast, she doesn’t seem to stay engaged in feeding the whole time. Lots of quick suckle sessions and then she seems to disengage. She does have a little jaundice so I appreciate she may be sleepy…
Afterwards the shield is usually still full of milk (so she is being fed throughout) but she still seems hungry and unsettled so we’ve been topping up with expressed milk.
I suppose my question is whether the nipple shield is effectively limiting how much milk she gets and so she’s still hungry? Or should I embrace that 40m per breast might just be her normal now?
I’m minded to try and wean off the shields, as I’m concerned they are the problem. Or is there a way to ensure they’re working well?

Did anyone work with you to identify whether there might be issues with latch?

You could try some different positions to see if that helps things along without the shields.
Calling a breastfeeding support line might be an idea while you think through what might be going on.

But also have a look at what size your baby's stomach is around 5 days - from memory it is not huge

www.healthline.com/health/baby/your-newborns-stomach-size-is-smaller-than-you-think#day-10

www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/feeding/early-days/breastfeeding-positions-which-are-best-for-you

This talks a bit about 'laid back breastfeeding' which is often really helpful in resolving issues with latch.

Thanks so much for your replies. It’s comforting to know her stomach isn’t huge so she probably is fully fed, I suppose maybe her being so unsettled is just her wanting cuddles?
I’m going to give the NCT line a ring tomorrow. In particular I just want to know what is a good plan around the shields…

That's the bit where I don't want to give a cut and dried answer.
Calling the line is a good idea.

If I answered your call myself, I would have in mind that 'laid back breastfeeding' positions can be helpful for someone with larger breasts. If you find they work for you, then you might not need the shields.

www.biologicalnurturing.com/video/bn3clip.html

This is similar to the fact sheets I used to give out (they never made it onto the nct website because of copyright, I think).

Just something to try.

Has she been checked for tongue tie? My tongue tied DS wouldn’t latch without shields. He also took power naps mid-feed and was constantly hungry back in those days. Gradually improved as he got older.

See if you can wean her off the shields, but if she won’t feed without them then so be it. DS has been feeding with shields for nine months now.

The only way to know for sure if she is getting enough milk is to have her weighed regularly. Once she’s gaining well you can stop the top-ups.