Nipple shield to heal crack?

[thea77]

Would anyone recommend using a nipple shield to help heal a crack? I have a crack on one nipple (it's more like a hole--like a chunk of my nipple came off) that just won't heal. I posted about it before...and some people said I might have thrush. I've ordered some grapefruit seed extract and am waiting for it to arrive.
However, whether or not it's thrush, I still need to heal this crack. And nothing is working. It's really painful in every nursing position.
A lady at the pharmacy recommended a nipple shield. I've read they're used for proper latching...but will they help me to heal? If I wear them for about a week or so...just so I can have time without her mouth on it? Or will it cause more harm (like she won't latch without it afterwards)?
Thanks...I'm getting desperate!

[mamadaan]

Usually cause more problems than they solve

Hi,

Nipple shields nearly always cause more problems than they solve. IF you decide to use them, you may find that your daughter cannot get enough milk anymore and that your supply decreases. You may also have to put a lot of effort into weaning your daughter from the shields.

If you have cracks or sores on your nipples, it is most likely that they are caused by your daughter not latching on properly yet. Have you tried looking at Jack Newman's videos to try and improve her latching? You can find them here: http://www.drjacknewman.com/video-clips.asp

Does she have a dummy (pacifier) or do you let her suck on your finger? These can make it much more difficult for her to learn to latch on well.

You can find out about the UK guidance on treating breastfeeding and thrush here: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org....t_Feb_2009.pdf It may be useful to discuss this information with your own doctor.

[AustGirl]

We used a nipple shield on and off for quite a few weeks until recently. Never had any problems with DS attaching again without it. We also use a dummy occasionally, as suggested by a speech pathologist who said it might encourage him to bring his tongue forward more when latching.

So I guess a nipple shield affects babes differently Just be aware that it may mean concentrating a little harder on latching afterwards... or may not.

I've used a shield to avoid extra pain while healing from a crack - but it didn't really help much. Didn't keep him off the crack either. But that might just be us, it could work for you.

[racheleuphoria]

Using a nipple shield is what saved me from quitting when I had a crack. The shield made nursing a little less painful, but mostly I think it helped prevent more damage to that spot. We used it for 2 weeks when my baby was 2 weeks old and had no trouble weaning off it back to the nipple. It did not cause trouble with my supply, and IMO it actually helped teach my DD to latch better because it forced her to open her mouth wider.

[thea77]

Thanks everyone...after meeting with a nurse, I have started to pump on the left side with the crack/sore for about 2 days in order to let it heal. This is the second day and it's already feeling so much better. I think I'll feed her on that side again tomorrow. I'm 90% better though, thankfully!