Lots of questions, Any advice is appreciated.

[Tiddilywinks]

This is my first ever post. Im so glad I found a forum where I can ask my questions!

My baby is 7 weeks old. We are using a nipple shield due to flat/inverted nipples and huge breasts. He just cant open his mouth wide enough to latch on, and my nipple is too flat for him to do so. I hate using the shield but im so happy he is nursing and growing well.

When I first began using the shield the LC told me to pump after he ate because I needed to establish my supply. I would nurse him till he was satisfied and then pump till I was empty. I was pumping at least 6-8 ounces after he had eaten. I have quite a supply in my freezer. As the time has gone on and he is eating more I am down to pumping 1 to 2 times a day. I am pumping 4-10 ounces each time. Should I be pumping more? He has never had a drop of formula and is happy with what I am producing.

I am nursing on side A for 10 minutes and then switching to side B till he is satisfied. The next time he nurses I start him on side B for 10 minutes then switch him to side A till he is done. Does this sound right?

He is now sleeping through the night. He nurses about 10-11pm and then again at 7-8am. The first few mornings I woke up soaked and totally engorged. I would nurse him then pump. Now when I wake up I don't feel engorged but have leaked a tiny bit. I will nurse him then pump.

I guess im just needing assurance what im doing is ok, or pointers if not. He is a happy baby and im so glad to be able to nurse him.

Thank you so much.

[Bokonon]

Sounds like you are doing great!

If you don't need the stored milk for returning to work, you could stop pumping altogether. Your supply is very well established at this point, and I'm actually surprised the LC advised you to pump after every feeding, as supply is best established by baby at the breast. Your pumping output is waaaay more than average, and continuing to pump may result in oversupply if it hasn't already.

Also, with such a good supply, just let him feed from one side per feeding, as long as he likes. There is no need to time it or switch sides.

Congratulations on him sleeping through the night, that's wonderful! Just continue to nurse on demand and you're doing a great job!

[iowaorganic]

Wow! You are doing a great job- I completely agree with the pp. If you don't need a freezer full of milk- slow down on the pumping and relax. As long as the baby is happy and full and you are comfortable- there is no problem!

[LianneM]

The pumping advice was due to the nipple shield. Anytime a shield is used, the mom should pump afterwards. I'm not sure I'd stop pumping altogether, if I were you. Maybe not pump until you're empty, but I think I would still pump some - maybe 5 min, just for the extra stimulation. (I advise moms to pump 20 min after nursing with a shield in the beginning). Using a nipple shield means there is less stimulation to the breast because there is a barrier between the baby and the breast. It's working for you, and while you don't need to keep pumping a ton to fill the freezer, I would be hesitant to stop what is working. If you decrease the pumping, just keep an eye out to make sure he is still getting enough, and if you notice your supply drop too much (it will drop some) then I'd start up the pumping again. He'll go through growth spurts yet and you don't want to drop your supply so much that you have a hard time regaining it when he needs it.

Have you noticed the nipple protruding more since you've been using the shield and pumping? Do you think he may be able to latch on to you at some point and you could stop using the shield?

Here is the kellymom page on nipple shields, in case you haven't seen it. Ideally you would wean off of the shield if you can, and then the pp's advice is right - you just nurse, no pumping needed.

I agree that you don't need to time the first and then switch. I would suggest starting on one side and then switching if/when he wanted more. Then start on the 2nd side the next time, and do the same.

Congrats on continuing to nurse your baby despite obstacles!

[Tiddilywinks]

Thank you all so much. I will start feeding only one side at a time.

I would love to wean him off the shield but am having no success.

[HappiLeigh]

I think it is now text-book to tell you to pump when you're using shields, but I know a lot of BTDT moms on here could tell you they did not. I nursed my DD exclusively with shields until she was 3 months old, and never pumped once (no one told me to!), nor had any supply issues, and grew a beautifully fat baby by just nursing on demand. Maybe you could decrease the number of pumpings and see how it effects your supply? Wtih my DD, I just periodically would offer the breast without the shield and squirt a little milk into her mouth, try to tempt her, etc. She acted offended and mad every single time, until finally, at three months, she gave it a go and latched without it. It took us about 2 weeks to wean from the shields entirely, and then we nursed another 21 months without them.
You're doing a great job, mama!

[dislocator3972]

I had to use a nipple shield for exactly the same reason. Well, the size/nipple issue plus the horrendous pain that comes along with a babe trying to get ahold with that situation.

I pumped twice a day, about an hour after she ate, and that was enough for me. I continued pumping while I weaned from the shield, though I think I should have stopped pumping just before I weaned. We've been completely off the shield for about 2 weeks and DD still has trouble if I'm full at all. As long as the breast is soft she's fine, so I'm trying to pump RIGHT after her morning feed so at the next one (and for the rest of the day) she'll have a soft breast to work with. I think if I had stopped pumping just before I took the shield away completely (once I'd weaned back slowly and knew she could handle it) then maybe I wouldn't have had so many FULL breast feedings.

If you have a happy and healthy baby, then you're doing it right. Good job mama!