Extended nipple shield use

[Oiwiththepoodlesalreadygg]

Hello, just looking for positive stories from anyone who has used nipple shields for an extended period/their whole breastfeeding journey?

I've tried everything to wean my 3 month old off them but she's not having it! She takes a bottle happily so it's not the end of the world if we can't keep breastfeeding, but equally I have a year's maternity and I love to continue feeding for the duration if I can.

Her weight gain is steady so they don't seem to be causing issues in that respect. Family members/people at baby classes all seem surprised that I'm using them still....I get that it's not common but is it really completely unheard of? Would love to hear any of your experiences!

I didn't buy a friend of mine used them for a year! She said they weren't causing any issues & made her life easier, without them baby would fuss constantly. Worked for her 🤷‍♀️

@Pac35 thank you, that sounds like my little one, so fussy without! Great to hear it can be done ☺️ they're a bit faffy to use but overall I'm finding them easier than a screaming non-latching baby!

I used them for 15mo with each child. My nipples are short and my kids had small mouths, so it was nipple shields or not breastfeeding at all. They both thrived - it seemed like such an important thing to wean off, but it really didn't matter in the end. Good luck!

My daughter self weaned off them at around 5 months. She just suddenly latched without one day and then refused them. She was better on one breast than the other but now we don't use them at all. I was close to giving up but it just happened x I must say I didn't put too much pressure on not using them as we were both happy, but I find without them feeding is so much easier! Especially in public! Keep trying, you will be OK x

My little girl was the same, whenever I tried to wean her off them she screamed the place down and wouldn't latch. Then one day when she was 6 months old she grabbed hold of it mid feed and threw it across the bed and latched on great. Never looked back after that day and we continued feeding until I forced a stop at 22 months 😁

I also used them for the whole 15mo I breastfed for, I have very flat nipples and also my baby spent a period in NICU which made breastfeeding extra hard to establish. They can be a bit of a faff but on the other hand I was saved the pain of early breastfeeding! I did periodically try to get my baby to latch without them but it never worked, she always got very distressed very quickly so I just stuck with them.

14 months still going strong using them, tongue tie revision at 10 days but he's struggled still (no tongue tie left) think he was just used to them.

As long as babies happy, healthy and feeding well I would say they are fine. One midwife mentioned weaning off them at a few months old but after having ALOT of issues with breastfeeding in the first few weeks this advice was ignored

My DS would only feed with nipple shields, a lactation consultant tried to get him to latch without but honestly he was a lazy baby and would just fall asleep before getting on the breast if I didn't use them, we used them for 2 years, and although some people say supply issues are common with them we never had an issue, I didn't have to pump afterwards or anything.

Thank you for all these responses so far, so encouraging to hear! Amazing to have done 22 months with shields @DreamingofThailand and everyone else too!

@MrsT84 it's the feeding in public that stresses me out the most, I've been taking expressed bottles out so far, but I'm going to a baby class today and have resolved to just use the shields if she needs them. I think the idea of them is harder than the reality usually (hopefully!).

I will live in hope that she also self weans like some of yours did but if not I feel reassured that it's do-able!

I used them with DS1 for around 9/10 months before we could manage a decent latch without. Carried on breastfeeding until he was about 2 years 3 months so it's definitely possible. Didn't need them at all with DS2.

I have a few nursing friendly tops and dresses that worked for me. I also have lots of big muslins that I tuck into my bra and use like a curtain. I just found it hard to hold the shield in place and then position baby. Baby groups are good places to practice feeding as lots of others in same position.

I used nipple shields for 4-5 months with my LO who had a tongue tie division at 10 weeks. I couldn't wait to wean off but it took some time because feeding without was uncomfortable, he was pinching me. If you're keen to stop using them, keep trying but be patient. I tried at almost every feed and gradually, as his mouth grew, we got there. Feeding stopped hurting and he got used to the new feeling. He then didn't want them anymore. I was relieved, they are a bit of a faff especially at night and in public, but i just used a muslin or a feeding cover to cover up and faff in peace!
Definitely don't stop bf because of them and don't let anyone judge you. As one lactation consultant said to me, nipple shields get bad rep but they are amazing help for so many of us and the difference between feeding and not. My sister used them for a year each with both her kids with no issues at all. Good luck!

They were terrible for me tbh. Issues with supply and struggled all the way through. Packed in bf at 6 months because baby preferred bottle and every bf was an absolute uphill struggle. If I have another baby I will avoid them second time round but the breastfeeding was such a war for me that to be honest it put me off having another baby! Sorry i know that’s not v positive. My baby was huge so possible I wouldnt have had enough milk with or without the shields. He’s still drinking 12oz bottles now at 9 months + 3 meals a day! x

Yes me .

My nips are very small and flat . I tried to wean off around 4 months once i had it established but i could never get him to engage so i gave up and breastfed for a year with shields the whole time. I didnt see any downside other than remembering them but i had tons by the end.