Breastfeeding/combi feeding/ nipple shields help

[offthebeatentrack]

Looking for some advice before I make the decision to switch to 100% formula feeding.
I was exclusively breastfeeding using nipple shields from a few days after birth. nipple shields due to latching issues and cracked/bleeding nipples initially. Baby lost 5% of birthweight on day 5 and this increased to a 7% loss at the next weigh. Disappointing as I thought baby was feeding well and having plenty of wet and dirty nappies.
We have since been giving a 40ml formula or expressed breast milk top up at after each feed on the midwife's advice.

Has anyone had experience of baby not being able to transfer milk effectively due to using nipple shields? (I do not believe I have a supply issue.) I also often pop the shield out of the mouth mid feed to check and can see lots of milk.
I do not think it's possible for me to drop the shields at this stage, has anyone in this position been able to successfully EBF after the weight loss, without the need for additional top ups? Or am I likely to have ti stick to combo feeding.
Grateful for any advice.

I can’t comment on nipple shields specifically as I haven’t used them, so please feel free to ignore if this is not useful, but I have experienced a somewhat similar situation with latching issues and weight loss with my 7 week old.

For the first weeks we were combo feeding with a mix of breastfeeding/expressed breast milk/formula. We eventually found out baby had a tongue tie which we had released. Since then she is breastfeeding so much better and we are now no longer needing formula, just expressed milk top ups. I think it’s possible that we might be moving in the direction of EBF and just expressing for convenience so my husband can take a couple of feeds per day.

I guess what I’m saying is, it is possible for the breastfeeding situation you have initially to turn itself around over time with the right support. If possible, ask if you can be referred to an infant feeding specialist midwife, that’s what happened for me and she was like a miracle worker. I didn’t realise this previously but not all midwives have that level of breastfeeding expertise so it’s really valuable to speak to one who does have that specialism.

How old is baby? I can’t comment on combi feeding but I did manage to successfully wean DS1 off nipple shields at 6 weeks ish after using them constantly due to latch issues at the start. Didn’t notice any supply issues but I did notice feeds sped up once he was feeding without them.

My DC went between both no problem, used the nipple shields to feed until they were 1. They just got used to it, the only issue was getting a teat for the bottle that had small enough holes to feel similar in flow. They were taking in air and had colic which was horrendous. Good luck.

The weight loss you've had is within the normal range for breastfed babies. Up to 10% is within the normal range. My DD dropped 16% which did have us on top ups after each feed. I pumped between feeds to increase my supply and started stopping top is once she regained her birth weight. Still feeding 2.5 years on.

Shields can affect milk transfer and encourage a lazy latch if you can get to a breastfeeding support group near you they can check and help you if you want to latch without the shields. Some areas have NHS support in the UK otherwise la leche league have local groups. Good luck!

No advice on nipple shields but as per previous poster, up to 10% weight loss is normal for breastfed babies (my local area actually gives up to 12% loss as within normal range). Mine lost between 7-11% in the first few days and then regained over the next few weeks without top-ups or pumping as my milk came in.

A local breastfeeding group/La leche league can advise on how to wean off nipple shields/get a good latch without to help with most effective milk transfer.

I used nipple shields for 3.5 years with my second baby. They were the only way I could feed her as I have rubbish flat tiny nipples. I think a lot of the advice around them (or advice against using them really) is based on old information, often from when shields were thick and didn’t allow for contact. Not like the lovely thin silicone Medela ones available now etc.

my next baby somehow managed to feed without them after about 6 weeks. He just ripped them off with his mouth and latched on to my nipples while I was asleep and dragged them out 🙃

Thanks for all of the replies.
I know that the weight baby has lost is within the normal range however my concern was that her weight loss increased on the day 10 weigh in (rather than improve which I thought was expected)

@Greyscale1
Thanks. Was the weight loss due to the nipple shields? How long did it take to get back to birthweight?

This was mid lockdown so I never really got an answer on the weight loss...

It took about 3 weeks to regain her birth weight.

I help out with my local breastfeeding group and mum's quite often have issues with milk transfer with shields because you can't feel latch issues in the same way