Breastfeeding Chatter #17

[PumpkinZulu]

Try not to stress little_o, my DD used the nipple shields from 2 weeks to 5 months. I too thought she'd never come off them, worried there was something wrong with me, with her, with my milk. Everything was fine. I would offer her the nipple every feed, and then put the shield on if she refused. Also tried giving half a feed then taking off the shield. At the end of it, it happened when she was ready. And we never looked back. Some periods of time were too stressful to even bother offering, so I wouldn't. Don't pressure yourself or her What shields are you using? I tried a few and settled on the Medela ones. They were by far the thinnest shields I tried, and they had a cut out so baby could smell your boob, not plastic. I never had any supply issues or any issues from the shields

[little_O]

Try not to stress little_o, my DD used the nipple shields from 2 weeks to 5 months. I too thought she'd never come off them, worried there was something wrong with me, with her, with my milk. Everything was fine. I would offer her the nipple every feed, and then put the shield on if she refused. Also tried giving half a feed then taking off the shield. At the end of it, it happened when she was ready. And we never looked back. Some periods of time were too stressful to even bother offering, so I wouldn't. Don't pressure yourself or her What shields are you using? I tried a few and settled on the Medela ones. They were by far the thinnest shields I tried, and they had a cut out so baby could smell your boob, not plastic. I never had any supply issues or any issues from the shields

Thanks pz! You have no idea how reassuring 5 months is! At least I know you got there so I can too!
I'm using the Aventi ones which have the skin contact for nose and chin. I might check out the Medela ones too.

Thanks for the all the support from you ladies!

[onthefly]

You still have lots of time to sort it out Little O

MrsN - it's the age. it drives me mad too. DD has come out of it recently.
Set boundaries for yourself and communicate them to her. It'll take a bit of time, but she'll get the idea. What boundaries you set are up to you

[HotI]

Little O, are you in the ABA? The latest Essence magazine that just came out has letters from women who have used nipple shields. If you are not, and would like a read, PM your e-mail address and i can scan and send it to you.

MrsN, I agree with MadB, its ok to set boundaries for your LO.

[Arimeh]

Thanks guys - what kind of boundaries though? I'm clueless with this kind of stuff lol

[Kmn]

Something like "once you leave me there is no more booby until the oven timer blings" - and then setting it for an hour or more. Or just doing your other things, and being willing to say to DD "you have to wait until the washing is hung out and the dinner is cooking and I've finished reading stories to your sisters" Or whatever you want to get done.

Also, she may actually just be wanting to reassure herself that you are there - so giving her a cuddle rather than something to suck might work too.

[onthefly]

Something clearly delineated is good. Not while I'm cooking. After x happens.

I've been telling DD the past few days - we're not having mooky during the night, only cuddles. Tonight I reminded her at bedtime and she says:Yeah. Cuddles. I still fully expect her to wake up and ask for mooky but the message is obviously getting through