Weaning off nipple shields - HELP!

[milson]

Well I now have my second bout of mastitis. Was feeling ordinary last night and by 11pm absolutely freezing. Teeth chattering and in bed wearing winter PJ's, dressing gown, duna and two blankets. Didnt sleep much and then when it was feeding time was dripping in sweat. Not nice. I had been trying to get off the shields but now I am not so sure as feeling miserable. At least it was working and she has been gaining weight well.

I am having terrible trouble with my wrists. They are so sore because of all of her fussing and picking up. It really hurts now when I am trying to attach her. We are 6 weeks now and I thought that it would be easier now. I have been told I have short nipples so that is why I am probably getting into trouble.

How have feeds been going today?

[MantaRay]

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time Milson. I had two bouts of mastitis in 3 weeks with DS1 so I know how awful it is (and I also needed shields to begin with). The thing is that it does get easier, and you are probably nearly there. It could be at 8 weeks, or 12 weeks, or sooner or later, but sometime soon, you will notice a difference. Your bub will be able to attach more easily, you will feel more confident, and things will start to look up. You really are through the hardest part now, well done for perserving past it. Now you've done that you can do anything!! Just give things time, and it will work out for you. My thoughts are with you, I don't miss those early feeding problems. But I am forever grateful that I perserved past them because I gotta tell you, a good bfing relationship is very rewarding. GL hun and take care.

[mummytotwo]

Yep, used a shield with DS - it was the only thing that stopped me switching to Formula & then we went onto feed for 15 months!
I would give the same advice as all the others - perserverance is the name of the game & one day it will just click for him & away you will go.... Good luck - I hope that day is soon

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

You are having your ups and downs, aren't you? You will get off the nippleshield, soon. But there is no burning imperitive to get off them *now*. IMO the best reason to get off them is that one day you are going to be sitting in a cafe, sippling your latte, and it will just be a nuisance. but right now it;s a useful tool that is helping you breastfeed.

have you considered using a private Lactation Consultant. I think you will find it very useful

Warm Regards
barv

[Lynn]

Well I haven't even tried today feeding without the shields - it just seems all too hard at the moment. I have a feeling that Ethan has reflux so I need to get that sorted out first. I might try again next week after I have seen the dr about his reflux. I have had many thoughts about giving it all up and going onto bottles but reading all your posts I think I will stick it out for a bit and see how we go. There must be a light at the end of the tunnel soon................

Milson, I am sorry to hear that you have mastitis again. I have the same feeling, trying to get off the shields at the moment is just making me frustrated so I have decided to stick them out for a while longer. Hopefully one day we won't be using the shields and we will be celebrating together!

[Lewis's Mummy]

Hi Lynn, just wanted to share a little of the place of nipple shields so far in my bf journey... I had trouble with attachment when DS (now 10 weeks) was born, even though he was full term - I also had bleeding nipples and serious engorgement. My nipples were flat and his mouth was too small to take a decent mouthful compared to my enormous boobs. I used the shields for a number of weeks, at first trying like you to take them off early into a feed. In the end I found it better to only try without part way through the second side, once he wasn't starving and screaming for it... he's a guzzler who wants it yesterday... I found one side healed quicker and adapted to the supply-demand thing better, so gradually didn't need the shield on that side at all anymore. On the other side I've only stopped using it in the last 3 weeks or so. I found they didn't affect my supply, despite all I'd read about them doing that... I still had/have far more milk than my boy can take on the one side. Nipple shields got me through some of the toughest weeks so far in this motherhood thing, and meant I kept going with breastfeeding when I might otherwise have given up. Don't worry about it - you'll get there - and in the meantime, relax and go with it. Your baby will grow, his mouth will get bigger, your boobs will get smaller (in a weird kind of way... ) and things will become much easier. GL

[Janie]

Lynn, you're doing an excellent job hun. Just a note, (from someone who has to comp feed with formula) bottles and formula are not necessarily easier, although they seem like a quick fix. Bottle feeding, although pain free for you, comes with it's own stresses and worries, and formula can make things like reflux worse (it definitely did in our case). Never mind all the sterilising, and having to take it all with you when you go out! Trust me, once established, BFing is so much easier.

Tackle the shields again when you've had a break, and sorted out your concerns about reflux. Remember, there's no rush. Good luck