Educate me - nipple shields?

[BloominRoses]

Just popping in to add the half-moon shaped ones ie Medela Contact as Beema mentioned worked the best for me.

[feeb]

I think and LC appt would do you the world of good as they will look at what Eden is doing and what you are doing and tweek positioning and attachment to best assist you.

Sue Cox is an LC in Hobart and she is a MASSIVE BF guru she makes DVD's for ABA.

ABA and or LC is my reccommendation, wish you lived in melb as I would come and help you!

[Miss E]

I had inverted nipples so started using a shield when I was in hospital to help DS attach and try and draw my nipple out. For the first two or three weeks I used them on and off, but ended up with terribly cracked nipples so started using them full time. I found them great and they took all the stress and angst out of feeding for me. But I did find that the feeds took quite awhile with them. There was a point where I thought that we would be using them forever cos I couldn't imagine ever being able to feed without them. But at about 8 weeks I gradually started trying to wean from them and by the time we got to 12 weeks we'd stopped using them completely and DS was attaching himself easily. I would definately say give them a go, for me they made those first few weeks so much easier.

I also bought a range of different ones but did find the medela one that the hospital gave me the best. I looked everywhere to by another one, but couldn't find anywhere that stocked them. The Avent ones were also ok, but not as good as the medela ones. Oh and I found the pigeon ones crap. HTH

[Arimeh]

See I don't have inverted or flat nipples or anything - so not the usual problems needed for nipple shields, she just doesn't open her mouth or attach properly (easier to blame her than me haha)

If anything, my nipples are too big for her, I know my boobs are at the moment - they are GINORMOUS!!!!!! when I put her on before I could barely see her head.. LOL

[*Beema*]

See I don't have inverted or flat nipples or anything - so not the usual problems needed for nipple shields, she just doesn't open her mouth or attach properly (easier to blame her than me haha)

If anything, my nipples are too big for her, I know my boobs are at the moment - they are GINORMOUS!!!!!! when I put her on before I could barely see her head.. LOL

I don't have flat or inverted nipples either, just too big

I agree and LC may be able to provide some assistance, This is a link to the Tasmanian ABA there are quite a few groups in your area, that would be able to help you out as well

[squidipa]

see my nipples do stick out but obviously not enough maybe i dunno i always thought they were normal mel .

[Spring Angel]

I found that when I was really full it was too hard for DS to attach. When your milk first come it it's like trying to fit a basket ball into a little mouth.

Perhaps try hand expressing a little off before a feed to see if that makes it easier to attach.

Also don't forget it isn't too late to try the breast crawl. You'll need some quite time (which I'm sure is in really short supply in your house) but it might be worth a try.

HTH
Spring xx

[Arimeh]

Perhaps try hand expressing a little off before a feed to see if that makes it easier to attach.

My milk has only just come in today - and she hasn't attached properly at all since coming into this lovely world!

I think I'm just destined to not breastfeed cos none of my kids have ever attached properly

[squidipa]

My milk has only just come in today - and she hasn't attached properly at all since coming into this lovely world!

I think I'm just destined to not breastfeed cos none of my kids have ever attached properly

none of myn did either except in the end with josh do ya have the cash to spare to see if a shield would help? not a waist of money fi it helps i need to buy some more anyhow for myself.

you need to feel comfortable with any choice you choose to take sweet BFing was never gonna be a long thing for me i never found enjoyment from it but i was starting to feel o.k about it but josh was loosing to mcuh weight and not growing.

[Epacris]

Hey darling Mel, just sending you some love, support and encouragement.

I have inverted nipples but have never used nipple shields. LCs would always offer them to me but I just really strongly felt like I didn't want to complicate things (they are already complicated enough).

I found that when I was really full it was too hard for DS to attach. When your milk first come it it's like trying to fit a basket ball into a little mouth.

Perhaps try hand expressing a little off before a feed to see if that makes it easier to attach.

This was a huge issue for me, especially with inverted nipples. Poor little things, it was like trying to get them to attach to a brick wall.

My best tip is to just try to shove as much nipple into her tiny little mouth as possible. I always aimed to get their lower lip as close to the edge of the areola as possible. If I concentrated on doing that, the rest seemed to fall into place.

DS was pretty good but I struggled with DDs poor attachment (and cracked nipples) through the first few weeks and it want really until about the 4 month mark that it all started to click and become comfortable and easy. I don't mean that to sound like it will be forever before it feels OK, just that she is so, so little, this is the hardest bit and it will get easier.

Lots and lots of hugs and a bit of luck too

[MantaRay]

Mel hun, it's great that Eden is doing so well. I was also going to suggest the breast crawl, or baby led attachment as it's also called. It works for 3 or so months after birth, even when you have mountains on your chest! There is some information here - Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment, and the ABA helpline can also talk you through it. It works fantastically for many mums when babies can't attach otherwise, and also for mums where attachment is not quite right and hurting.

The other thing I'll repeat from the PPs, is seeing an LC. A good one will really help you with attachment. Let me know (PM) if you want me to try and find someone in your area.

All the best hun

[onthefly]

For me DS just wouldn't attach properly - kept pulling back and giving me a lipstick nipple. Stopped the shields at around 11 weeks.

Sue Cox would be great to see! Please call someone and get help in person