Help! nNipple shields: where can I get some for my poor friend?

[MrsMerryHenry]

I'm going to see a friend tomorrow morning who's having very painful nipples. I'd like to buy her some nipple shields to see if they help, but I've never bought them before and there aren't really many major shops along my route. Do ordinary chemists usually sell them, or will I have to go to somewhere like Boots or Mothercare?

Btw I know some people disagree with nipple shields; if you do I'd love to know why. However I know they work as a short-term measure for some people so I'm going to buy them for her anyway just in case.

Thanks in advance.

I got mine in Boots

re: why: milk production is stimulated by the action of the baby's tongue on the skin of the mother's nipple. Nipple shields therefore interfere with the establishment of bfeeding. Your friend needs to talk to/ see a bfeeding counsellor to get the baby's latch sorted.

You may get them at a small chemist- better to try Boots or Mothercare.

Thanks! DavidSussex - I never used shields myself and have never clapped eyes on one, but I thought they were supposed to be thin and flexible enough for that not to be a problem.

She's going to see a bfing counsellor tomorrow, which I'm delighted about and really hope they can give her the support and information that she needs.

Milk production is stimulated by the removal of milk from the breast. Nipple shields can reduce the effectiveness of milk removal - it can take longer for the baby to remove the milk as the nipple is not fully inside the mouth - especially likely if the nipple shield is longer than the nipple which is usually the case.

In addition, babies can become 'hooked' on the shield, and it can be hard to teach them to suck without it.

Thirdly, they are a proper nuisance and need sterilising and keeping clean, and they drop on the floor all the time

Fourthly they make breastfeeding into more of a fiddly performance.

They should never be used casually, and whoever suggests them should be able to check if they make a difference to latch, and have the skills to help the mother learn to bf without them, even if the baby does not want to.

They are definitely not thin and flexible - they may look as if they are, but check out the thickness of the material all the way through - there is always a thick bit.

MrsMH - I know that you are trying to do something to be supportive of your friend, but I would really advise caution. I used shields under the supervision of a BFC for about 10 days when DS was first born and had a whole regime in place around it to ensure that my supply wasn't unduly affected. It saved my breastfeeding but my supply took a long while to establish properly which was in part down to the shields.

Her seeing a BFC is the best thing she can do.

MrsMerryHenry

a very recent nipple shield thread - worth a look

Thanks all for this info, I didn't realise that they were quite this problematic. I'll see what her BFC says first, so will save myself a trip to the chemist!

Your friend is lucky to have someone who wants to help makes things better for her.
chocolate and lanisohl might help!

Aww, thanks, DitsyMe!

I was wondering whether you had got them - how is it going for your friend now?

Thanks for asking - I didn't get them, and in fact she already had some and knew all about how difficult they can be. She's still having trouble, I think possibly because her little cutie is still very small and so has a small mouth. Chocolate and Lansinoh is definitely the way forward!

Yes, chocolate and Lansinoh work wonders

DS had a small mouth, not because he was a small baby but just because of the shape of it. It will get bigger!
She's very lucky to have a supportive friend like you.

Thanks Ali, that's really sweet! I did buy her some fab choccy (but obviously had to buy myself one as well - perks of the job ).