New mum, 10 day old baby, please help!

[roundgirl]

My DD was born 10 days ago and I have had a constant battle to get her to latch on. She has a recessive chin and I have flat nipples. Also 3 days ago, a breast feeding counsellor diagnosed that a tongue tie was causing problems and fortunately we were able to have this snipped 2 days ago which has made a vast improvement. I have been expressing all along to feed her and promote my milk supply. Since then she has latched on, but only with nipple shields. I think this is a great step forward as she is actually breast feeding now and we are both really enjoying it. However my mid wife and health visitor have both been round and said that I shouldn't use nipple shields. I keep trying but she still can't latch on without them, does anyone know why I shouldn't be using them? What are the down sides? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

roundgirl i'm no expert but my sister has inverted nipples and used nipple shields with both her children.

imho, the most important thing is that your DD gets her milk, she's still very young, so if that's the only way she latches on then I wouldn't stress about trying without just yet.

Hi roundgirl, well done for persevering with bf. Have a read of this on nipple shields until the experts get here...

Thanks very much for the support! I really appreciate it!

rg, if they help you b/feed then can only be a good thing. Have they other suggestions? uNLESS YOUR hv AND mw ARE ALSO BREASTfeeding counsellors or lactation consultants, its doubtful that they will give you appropriate advice.

Have a look at this blog put together by lovely MNer. Nos. of breastfeeding organisation on right hand side. Give 'em a ring.

How breastfeeding works

Oh, and well done!!

congratulations. i am by no means a BF expert (didnt manage it with DS1 and have only been feeding DS2 for 5 1/2 weeks) but i had problems with DS2 latching on in the beginning. he used to get frustrated as he was hungry but couldnt latch on as i have/had flat nipples. my MW suggest a nipple shield and it was a godsend. i only had to use it for about 6 days by which time my nipples were no longer flat and DS2 found it easier to latch on.

we now are managing fine. i still get about 10secs of pain latching on one side which was the flattest but this passes as soon as the milk flows.

fwiw i would continue with the shields and keep your milk supply.

good luck