Did anyone use nipple protectors to get a latch?

Elizabeth - posted on 07/09/2011

I had the same problem when my milk first came in, my nipples flattened because I was so full of milk and my son could not latch. I did use nipple protectors for about a month and it worked great. I also used them later when I had really sore nipples because it let them heal. I used the Medela brand standard size. Yes your nipple pulls into the nipple on the shield. I would stimulate my nipple by pinching it then stick the shield on and express a tiny bit of milk into it to get started. Also it helps to take some your milk and wet the area that rests against your skin to help it stick.

Amanda - posted on 10/04/2009

i just know that i won't anywhere near fill the teat bit on them, am worried the shield will just crumple up in her mouth, have found a small size set on ebay from an online pharmacy so have bought them. we'll soon see i guess!

Danelle - posted on 10/04/2009

Yes I did use the nipple protectors they work wonders! My little girl didnt want to latch on got a nipple sheild and she got right on. Now I think that they shouldnt be used for a long period of time-not sure I uesed mine until she started latching on without it. It took her 2 1/2 months.

Amanda - posted on 10/04/2009

was it the same trouble as me? flat nipples? my nipples will not fill those shields... does that matter? i even tried the warehouse mothercare near me, and boots (big chain chemis)... nothing.

mand x

Caitlin - posted on 10/04/2009

i also had trouble latching my son on.. i used advent nipple shields and they worked a treat as forsizes just look in the chemist or a specialised baby shop.

Amanda - posted on 10/04/2009

i have another question... if i end up using the protectors, will my childs sucking pull my nipple into the protector, because the 'nipple' on the protectors are huge compared to mine even when aroused (is that the right word?), will they even work if my nipple won't fill the teat bit?



mand x

Amanda - posted on 10/03/2009

it's my 2nd child that i'm expecting any day now.

every midwife in the ward tried to latch us on over 4 days, we were expressing her feeds and givin it to her with a dropper so no nipple confusion, my nipples went straight back as soon as the suction went. i am a 48FF so the sheer weight just pulls the skin taught. even when extremely cold my nipples only extend maybe 5mm, we got a latch once when a midwife pulled my nipple long enough and held it in my daughter's mouth, i got mastitis in that breast from cracked nipple due to the poor latch.



nobody ever mentioned the shields to me, so i thought i'd get a pack just incase. i expressed for 6 weeks for my daughter, but had to combine with formula as the expressing didn't keep the milk flowing properly.



i'm just trying to find the newborn size, as apparently people have had issues getting the standard size ones into a newborn's mouth.

the avent website shows the newborn size, but their shop doesn't stock it... no idea why.

mand x

Laura - posted on 10/03/2009

Yes for the first few weeks until my sons mouth was wide enough to latch on with out them then it was a peice of cake

DEBORA - posted on 10/03/2009

sorry but it sounds like the staff at hospital failed you ,since when i had my first my nurse was right there to watch me so if i had troubles she could help.when i was home only 24 hrs i got a call from the breastfeeding consultant to see how thing were going .then by the following week as a suprise to me the county health nurse was at my home to check upon my baby not my request or the peds dr but at request of my mother in law and sister in law.at the time i was only married 5 months.

Billie - posted on 10/03/2009

yes and they are great too. I got mine from the hospital. You can also get on line and fine them too.

Angela - posted on 10/03/2009

I did for the first week or so then she latched on by herself.

Jackie - posted on 10/03/2009

I also had the same problem. I used Medela. They are great and the size will depend on the size of your arriola. Also my lactational consultant explained that if I was to use them I would also have to pump to keep my milk coming in. There is less stimulation to the nipple when you use the shields. Good luck to you!

Lisa - posted on 10/03/2009

I did but I dont remember which ones they did help a bit but not if like me you had milk spurting everywhe they tended to slip then. Have you tried using an expresser to pull the nipple out first? then trying to latch

Natalie - posted on 10/03/2009

Yes, I breast feed 4 children each for about a year or so including twins. With my first (twins) I was worried about attachment issues, nipple refusal etc by baby # 3 i was thinking why waste energy on pain. I used whatever the hospital gave me. Use whatever feels comfy, every one is different. babies don't judge nor know any different, just b confident in whatever you choose. Stop using it when you ar ready, If at all. You also may need to express b4 baby latches on, not so easy to do.

Tanya - posted on 10/03/2009

I did with my now 4 year old. I used the Medela Nipple Shield and feel the same way as Cristin

Cristin - posted on 10/03/2009

I use Medela Nipple Shield. The nurse at the hospital gave them to me right off the bat. My LC didn't agree with it because it can cause problems. Babies get 20% less milk when feeding from a shield, but I have tons of milk so its not been an issue for me. My baby can now latch on without it because its supposed to help pull the ligaments that are holding your nipple in outward. I would suggest trying to use it to get the initial latch on and then once your baby is feeding well attempt to take it off and get a latch on without it. It becomes a PAIN to use becau its not convenient for discreet public feeding and it falls off often times. Good luck!

Beth - posted on 10/03/2009

No, I didn't with my daughter and we had a hard timewith breast feeding that I gave up and pumped for 8 weeks, then bottle fed. I am due again in 7 weeks, and have already bought the nipple protectors for my baby boy to try. I have small - maybe inverted or flat nipples and I hope this will help.

Kristina - posted on 10/03/2009

Yes I did!!! I LOVED IT! I am the same, my bra size is a 28K so the nipple protector worked a miracle! I got mine from Target,I am not too sure of the brand name. But get two. (one for the house and one for the diaper bag). Just get the standard size...I cannot tell you how amazing it was for my son! He started on it at 5 days old.

Aoife - posted on 10/03/2009

I also used the nipple shield, it was a life saver, he couldn't latch on without it.

Brittany - posted on 10/03/2009

Yes i did, my daughter was 6 wks early and she was having trouble but now shes almost 3 months and she wont take anything but that!!

Rebecca - posted on 10/03/2009

First off, congrats on your new arrival! I'm assuming that this is your first child! Sometimes it takes a bit or a lot of patience and practice to get baby to latch on in the beginning. It's a learning process for both of you! She is probably not closing her mouth because she can't feel your nipple in the back of her mouth. Before you try to get her to latch on, get your nipple aroused and then try. Keep in mind as baby starts to suckle your nipple will lengthen and the more she nurses the more you nipples will "conform" to her. If your nipples still lay flat then certainly try the nipple protectors. They are for women who have inverted nipples or nipples that will not protrude enough for baby to latch on. I would go for the Avent but the size will be a trial and error type thing. The key to breastfeeding is patience. Don't forget that there is La Leche League. They are a breastfeeding group to help moms with breastfeeding concerns or questions, you can call them and someone will probably come on over and help you. If you can't get help via LLL then look up a Lactation Consultant in your area and they will certainly be more than happy to come help you! Best of luck!



Rebecca

Helping Moms Work from Home

www.4ThisFamily.com

Tammy - posted on 10/03/2009

I used a nipple protector for a few months b/c my son just chewed me raw. I used the medela brand, and I think they only come in one size (?). Anyway it worked wonders, he latched on great and got excellant suction. And it didnt hurt so much. It took us approx 6 weeks to get it down solid. Hope this helps.

Tammy

Angela - posted on 10/03/2009

I did with my first child but ended up only feeding for a few days by myself