Question: My daughter is seven weeks old, and at the hospital I saw a lactation specialist who told me I had inverted nipples and a baby with a tiny mouth. She gave me a nipple shield and she's been latching fine with it, but I've heard babies shouldn't use the shield for too long, and I get incredibly annoyed with it. (It's messy, it always comes off and milk gathers in the tip so when she latches again she chokes) Ever since I was given the nipple shield I regularly attempt to get her to latch without it. All tries are so far unsuccessful. But lately she's been refusing the bare nipple all together. She won't even attempt to latch. I'm scared that when she is able to latch without it, she won't want to. How can I prevent that attachment? ?
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Answer: Just keep trying without the shield. She is probably used to the feel of the plastic and the bare nipple feels weird to her. Increase the length of time you try without the shield and see if she doesn't start latching on. You can also call the lactation consultant or go to the hospital and get advice from her. =
Answer: I have issues of my own with breastfeeding. I would start with contacting your pediatrician and asking if they have a lactation RN in their office,or if they can recommend one. As a whole they are more educated in lactation and the methods that can help in different situations. I had my first appointment with one yesterday and will be seeing her one on one, on a weekly basis. She is wonderful and I am so happy that I went. Instead of just giving me the usual lecture, she asked me a lot of questions and then checked my son's suck, examined his tongue and the attachment under his tongue, and discovered it was attached a bit too forward. She said it would correct as he grew, but that it was part of the problem we were having. If your pediatrican's office has no contacts for you then I would find out if the hospital has an RN who specializes, if not then contact the La Leche' League. Just do a search, and you will find a lot of information. I know they even have a service where someone will come to your home. Appointments with the RN should be covered by your insurance. I hope this gives you some doable options. I know how frustrating It can be. I had an awful time with our daughter and was raw. I finally gave up at 5 and a half weeks and formula fed. This time I have low supply, but will be feeding him what I have and then supplementing. I figure that giving him what I can produce, since the latch is good is better than all formula like last time. It still bothers me though. Please don't give up. As she grows, it will get easier. She will have a wider latch and be able to draw out your nipple without help. =
Answer: Amanda, I too was told to use a nursing shield with my son and was never able to wean him off of it. It ended up cutting into my milk supply and we've had many issues with it. Good luck and definitely keep working with her. It doesn't take them long to become little creatures of habit. :) =
Answer: Thanks girls, I'll keep trying with her. I'm getting kind of frustrated with the whole thing, I would love to get rid of that stupid shield. I'd be really upset if she got attached to it. =
Answer: Great news!! Today she latched for an entire feeding without the shield! I just let her struggle with it for a while and once she got hungrier she was just as determined as I was! I'm so relieved. =
Answer: I also had to use a nipple sheild and had some trouble getting him off of it. It's ok to use it for as long as you need to even though it can be a pain to have to use it. I had some success a few times with feeding without it and then he would need it again for a while but there came a point where the breast was more familiar to him and the shield was wanted less. I think it helped to let him fuss a little longer so he really wants to feed. We had a lot of stops and starts with latching for 2-3 days but now he is latching just fine. So don't get discouraged if she goes back and forth for a bit she will get there. and then it will be so easy for you. Good luck =
