Nipple shield weaning

[Erin77]

I have been using a nipple shield since my son was born, due to flat nipples. Now that they have popped out somewhat, I have been trying to convince him to take my nipple directly, but he is not happy about it! He's only 5 weeks old, but he'll clamp his mouth shut or take it for about two seconds before turning his head and crying. The only long term problems with nipple shield use seem to be decreased supply, right? I am thinking of just letting him use the shield forever, because it's hardly even a hassle any more, I'm so used to it. My supply seems great and he eats very well and heartily. Did anyone else BF for a year or more without ever getting rid of the shield?

[sarlusan]

I used a shield with my first b/c she was a preemie in the NICU and came home with nipple confusion. I used the shield as a transition from bottle to breast. It was very difficult- the whole process involved a lot of crying but I was very determined and after about three weeks of consistently offering first the breast, then the shield, then the bottle, gradually decreasing the need for the bottle, then the shield, I finally got her to breast only. So I guess I would say if you want to get rid of the shield, don't be afraid to persevere. I don't know what it would be like to use a shield long-term, so I'm sorry I don't have advice on that! Good luck and good job mama!

[violet_]

Originally Posted by Erin77

I have been using a nipple shield since my son was born, due to flat nipples. Now that they have popped out somewhat, I have been trying to convince him to take my nipple directly, but he is not happy about it! He's only 5 weeks old, but he'll clamp his mouth shut or take it for about two seconds before turning his head and crying. The only long term problems with nipple shield use seem to be decreased supply, right? I am thinking of just letting him use the shield forever, because it's hardly even a hassle any more, I'm so used to it. My supply seems great and he eats very well and heartily. Did anyone else BF for a year or more without ever getting rid of the shield?

I used one for the same reason as you, and, like you, we got used to it, and had no problems with weight gain. After a few weeks -- maybe around where you are now, baby had changed my nipples enough that we *could* nurse without it, but she usually didn't prefer to, and I found it more painful to nurse without it. So, I would try, usually once per day, to have her nurse without it. Sometimes she did, sometimes not. Sometimes I'd do it by removing the shield once we started a feed and the nipple was already sticking out. Other times I'd just do the first breast with the shield and the second without. It was usually easier later in the day when she was a bit tired and my breasts were softer. First thing in the morning was when we especially needed the shield.

But we didn't do it every day -- sometime we'd only manage one feed a week without the shield. I know the shields have their detractors, but for us it was awesome -- it allowed me to breast feed my baby and that is a huge thing!

Anyway, I finally just decided that she was gaining well and I wasn't going to push to get rid of the shield. So, of course, she got rid of it for me. Pretty much one day around 11 weeks old, it was getting harder to use -- my nipples were sticking out enough that it wasn't sticking well to the breast. So she would get mad and I moved it and then she started refusing the shield. As in, over the course of about 24 hours she went from requiring the shield to completely refusing it.

So you might just wait and see.

[dakotablue]

What I did...maybe seem mean, but it worked and quickly

I put some milk on my breast (and get my nipple out as best I could) and brought DS to it, he would fuss because it wasn't the feeling he wanted. I would lay him away from me (on an ottman in front of me) and give him his pacifier. He would take it then get angry and I brought him back to breast. He latched after a few times of this (I felt so mean) This only took I think 3 feedings before we were done with shields all together. This helped my supply tremendously and I think in the end was worth a little bit of aggregation on his part, but If you try this you need to commit to it (like not give in the second their upset) and the baby has to be able to latch without it (try the slip away technique)

[tryingfortwo]

I used a nipple shield with DS, and it wasn't until he was 9 weeks that I was able to wean him. So I wouldn't give up yet! I wasn't very persistent with it - whenever I felt up to the challenge, I'd try to get him to latch on without the shield. It was probably only once every few days, I didn't try very often. Usually I didn't have any luck. But finally at about 9 weeks, he latched on without it - and that was it! He's now 3.5 yo and still nursing (shield-free ) So don't stress out about it, but I also wouldn't give up trying to nurse without it. Good luck!

[pumpkin]

DD is still using the nipple shield. We started trying to drop it at 6 weeks. I gave up a couple
Of months ago. I spoke with the LC and they said that some mothers just get stuck using them. It's not ideal, but they are thinner than they were back in they day so the downsides aren't quite as pronounced as they used to be.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mt_gooseberry]

I ended up using a nipple shield til DD was 5mo. Then I followed the advice on www.kellymom.com and in a couple days she went from needing it to refusing it. There are more problems than reduced supply (which never happened to us), though. We ended up with a cronic thrush infection (can you boil your shield after every feeding if you get infected?) and constant blocked milk ducts. That's ultimately why I was so desperate to ditch the stupid thing! Good luck!

[motherhendoula]

I have no personal experience with this, but an LC friend of mine says you can gradually cut away part of the shield. Start at the nipple, cutting part of it off, then a 1/8" at a time - cut more, until your down to bare breast. Good Luck

[Erin77]

Thank you all! If I can just relax about it and stop caring so much, then I can be pleasantly surprised if it works.
Motherhendoula, my understanding is that shields used to be rubber and those could be cut away, but currently most shields are silicone and should not be cut because they will have sharp edges.

[Shanesmom]

I used a nipple shield for a bit because Shanes latch hurt so much. But one day I took it off and it was all goooood.

as far as long term problems, my midwife said that the baby will not develop the muscles of the jaw and such that BF naturally babies do. I hadn't heard of it causing a low supply and I can't imagine why it would.

I say: do whatever you can to contiune BFeeding your baby. Whatever works for you; embrace it.

[miche28]

I used a shield for 4 months with DD - and then weaned her pretty easily at that age. In the beginning, I made myself crazy with the weaning idea - at about 5-6 weeks, I decided to forget it. The key risk of a shield, IMO, is that it can mask a bad latch which can really mess with your supply. But if you're doing fine with it and weeping without it, then surrender :). For now anyway. Keep trying (they are a hassle), but don't make it your Waterloo.