How long did you feed with nipple shields?

[Orlahoping]

My 12 week old little boy can't latch without them. He could half the time until a couple of weeks ago but now each time I try he is irate. He's getting milk, but I just wonder how long my breastfeeding journey could be if we never get off the shields? I was hoping to just feed until he didn't want to any more, as long as he wants. I would love for him to be off the shields but it is the only thing keeping us breastfeeding at present.

I think we were using them until DS was well over 10 months, possibly a bit older, when he suddenly clicked to feeding without them. Basically until the size of his mouth caught up to the size/shape of my nipples I think 😆 And we fed everywhere. Don't pay too much attention to all the 'you can't use them for long' stuff, it's definitely doable.

My daughter was about 18 weeks old when she finally just got the hang of feeding without them! They were a lifeline for us and I’m so glad we used them. She fed happily until 12 months from me then. Keep going. It can suddenly change and all come together. Good luck and well done for going this far. I remember how hard it can be.

5 months. She’s 1 now and still feeding. It just clicked one day. I was 100% reliant on shields. I couldn’t have breastfed without them. Keep going!

Around 6 months when we switched to formula! I had no issue with supply. It was annoying being reliant on them but I had quite a few. I kept them in a little tupperware and took them everywhere!

That's reassuring thanks all! It's been a rough journey but I have hope one day it will just click.

@fruitpastille I have about 5 sets as I am so scared about not having one on me at some point!

4-5 months each baby.

I also used nipple shields with my first baby then we did get off them when she was a few months old. I had a few visits from breastfeeding specialists from the NHS to help me with the latch so maybe see if that is an option? I was so relieved when we could stop using them and we kept breastfeeding until she was about 18 months. Then with my second baby my nipples had toughened up and we didn't need them. You're doing so well, keep going!

I've had quite a lot of help with his latch, and he got better but is suddenly refusing even to try. I'm going back to another support group on Tuesday so hopefully they can support!

About 12 months. Went on to feed my other two without them but for the first it was essential!

I breast fed four children exclusively using nipple shields for between 8-16 months each. I was always really embarrassed about it but despite trying again and again it was simply impossible without (flat/inverted nipples). So it is possible!

I always felt I had to work harder than other people to keep the milk supply up though and assume it was related to the nipple shields.

Have never seen much discussion about long-term use of nipple shields though, perhaps because my youngest is now 18 and there weren't helpful internet forums back then. Will be really interested to see how others respond to your thread. Good luck with the breastfeeding!