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I was recently given the OK to turn off DD's continuous g-tube feeds for an hour at a time, and start nursing her 4 times a day during that time. She has only nursed briefly before, starting when she was about 2 months old and lasting around 2 weeks. At that time, she used a nipple shield most of the time, although I was occasionally able to get her to latch on without it.
Now she is 5 months old (so in her whole life so far, she has only been able to nurse for about 3 weeks of it) and she latches on and nurses great- with the nipple shield.
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She absolutely refuses to latch on without it.
I've tried everything I can think of- I've tried latching her initially without it, I've gotten her latched and nursing well with it and then taken it off, I've used it on one side and then not when I switched sides, I've tried pinching my nipple to change the shape, changing positions, etc... she just won't latch on without that darn piece of silicone. She just holds her mouth open, like she can't find the nipple, and cries. Or, she clamps down and bites me. NOT pleasant, since she has a tooth on the bottom.
Is there any hope of me ditching the nipple shield? I am so grateful that she nurses at all, because most kids wouldn't in her situation. But I hate that stupid piece of plastic, and I hate that I have to remember it every time we go anywhere or else she won't nurse.
Any advice?
Now she is 5 months old (so in her whole life so far, she has only been able to nurse for about 3 weeks of it) and she latches on and nurses great- with the nipple shield.
I've tried everything I can think of- I've tried latching her initially without it, I've gotten her latched and nursing well with it and then taken it off, I've used it on one side and then not when I switched sides, I've tried pinching my nipple to change the shape, changing positions, etc... she just won't latch on without that darn piece of silicone. She just holds her mouth open, like she can't find the nipple, and cries. Or, she clamps down and bites me. NOT pleasant, since she has a tooth on the bottom.
Is there any hope of me ditching the nipple shield? I am so grateful that she nurses at all, because most kids wouldn't in her situation. But I hate that stupid piece of plastic, and I hate that I have to remember it every time we go anywhere or else she won't nurse.
Any advice?
