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Latching a 5 month old for the first time. HELP! Trying to wean off Nipple shields!

Naomi - posted on 10/30/2009 ( 1 mom has responded )

125

22

So we've been using the shields since my son was a week old, for many reasons i won't go into (long story). I've consistently offered the breast au natural without much luck until the first feed early this morning. He was sleepy, hungry so he just opened wide and 'leaped' at me and started sucking before he realized there was no shield there lol. AND he's been latching on every feed so far today without the Shield!!!!! SO excited! I'm planning to make an appointment at the breastfeeding clinic I've been going to as soon as I'm sure that he will do it consistently (ie he does it all day today) so they can help me with my latch. But it's friday now and I'm pretty sure I won't get in before next week sometime.. and we haven't latched without the shield since he was a week old.. and were having troubles then.
I'm pretty sure He's not latching on properly, no significant pain, just discomfort, but unless there is active let down he doesn't seem to be getting much and pulls off and the nipple is squished.. like the analogy they use of biting the straw.. I don't think the nipple is in far enough. I have all the books in front of me, but all of them are giving advice for newborns.. well he's five months and has lost a lot of the reflexes... I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. last feed I gave him the nipple shield at the end to help the milk let down again.. I find I need to be distracted to get a lot of milk letdowns, the nipple shield is easy and he'll suck it like a soother until the letdown comes again.
I'm a little worried about my supply.. should I try going back on fenugreek? will that help my milk let down faster for him? Also, he won't eat on the right side at all, hasn't for a while now.
yah I know I have problems. I'm going to the clinic. but in the meantime, any tips, hints advice??? I really don't want him to go back on the shield now we're off!!

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*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/30/2009

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9

I went through the same thing when I weaned my daughter off the shield. Sometimes the shield can hinder your supply so going off of it should only help. I offered the breast without the shield first and she would latch. She would suck a little and then start to get frustrated. I put the shield on and we finished nursing that side and then did it all over again on the second side. Don't let your baby get too frustrated. Eventually my daughter went longer and longer without the shield until she didn't need it at all. Once I got her completely off the shield we worked on the latch. For me, I just had to keep relatching until I didn't feel any discomfort. It was like we were learning all over again. She was able to latch herself on the shield so I really had to work at holding her head and getting her to open really wide before bringing her to the breast. I was off of the shield on my right side before I was off on my left. If you have to use it so he'll nurse the right side, it's ok. It takes a lot of time and patient to get off the shield when you've been using it for a while. Relaxing will help your milk let down faster :) So like you said, continue to distract yourself, take deep breaths, or just stare at your beautiful baby. If you need, for that right side, you can pump a little or express a little until the milk starts to come out so he will latch. Hope this helps!

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