Nipple Shield weining HELP!!

Briana - posted on 09/23/2009

I was told the same thing about a decreased milk supply as well but I went a lil longer than 6 wks with my first baby. I would just start the feeding with the sheild and then take it off after she had "pulled my nipple out" but I failed to get her latched on many times before all of the sudden it just worked. lol. Probably not the inspiring piece of wisdom you were looking for but just keep trying and you will get the hang of it. Just make sure to pump like you are supposed to in the meen time so that you don't lose your milk supply before you get rid of the sheild

Sammy - posted on 09/22/2009

I have read that it is not good to use shields on a long term basis as it can effect your milk supply because there is no skin to skin contact.

*just something i have read, dont know how true it is tho!

Stephanie - posted on 09/22/2009

I'm definitely not a medical professional but I'd say that if you find that the pump isn't doing enough to bring your nipples out and she's breastfeeding successfully with the shields, don't worry about weaning her off of them! I used the shields for almost 2 months and stopped when I was ready and his latch became second nature (probably more my security than his...). He got the hang of it - and if he hadn't, we'd STILL be using the shields! :-) She's getting breastmilk - that's the most important part! Good job, Mom!!

KaSandra - posted on 09/22/2009

thank you! i never thought to use my pump. i've seen those things they sell too and i was thinking of buying one but if its the same as the pump i'll use that. thanks again!

Johnny - posted on 09/21/2009

Try the information on this page. It helped my girlfriend wean her daughter off the nipple shield after 6 months of trying. Good luck!

http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/wea...

Sammy - posted on 09/21/2009

I had to use a shield with my daughter from birth as she had a tongue tie. We had the tongue tie fixed when she was 2 weeks old and didnt get her off the shield until she was 6 weeks old!

I was told to start the feeding with the shield and then take it off half way through.

I tried that for 4 weeks, the whole time she never latched on so i had to finish the feeding with the shield on. But then one day she latched on and havnt had to use the shield for 3 weeks now!

I was told to cut down the tip of the shield gradually, but i did some re-search on it and if it is a silicon shield that you are useing then you shouldnt to that because it can cut the inside of the babys mouth!

Good luck and dont strees out about it, she will do it when she is ready!

Andrea - posted on 09/21/2009

I had a problem with my son when he was two days old and had to give him a bottle by day five i was meeting with my lactation counselor. They said i could purchase the nipple shields but never found them before I got him to nurse so maybe this will help for you, too. My nipples were slightly inverted and the more i clamped down on my breast so he could get a good latch the further it would retract in. They advised me on using my pump, which i prefered my maual pump for this, to pull the nipple out. The baby relies on the nipple to hit the roof of the mouth to stimulate them to begin sucking. I used the pump for about 30 seconds to a minute to get the nipple fully out then would latch him on. Within two days he was nursing without that he had learned when he gets a mouthful to start sucking and the nipple will come out. I hope this works for you. Also start this process when you first notice them to be hungry. Don't wait for your daughter to cry because this will make it harder because she will already be frustrated. Good Luck!! Oh i have also seen on the shelves something that is supose to pull the nipple out. I chose not to purchase because it was $8 and did the same trick as the pump. I'm hopeing the best for you:)