Weaning off nipple shields - HELP!

[Lynn]

Ethan was born 3.5 weeks early and was jaundice. He spent a week in Special Care and the midwives there got him onto 4 hourly feeds (which was great). I also started using a nipple shield because he was so on/off and kept falling asleep. I have tried to get him to feed without the shield but he just pulls off all the time so I went an saw a lactation consultant. She tweaked a few technicial issues and off we went. I have tried to do it since but when he gets hysterical he just won't latch on and I can't settle him so I go back to using the shield and he latches on fine. I am just upset that I can't feed without the shield and it upsets me that I have to use it. It makes it alot harder to feed in public and I am just getting frustrated by it. I tried again last night when he wasn't hysterical but still he just pushes off and I can't keep him on. Now not only am I back using the shield I have sore nipples! Am I just one of those people that will have to use the shields forever??????? He has been very unsettled the past few days and will cry unless he is in my arms. I don't think it is related to the feeding because this started before I started ditching the shield. I just think it is bad timing.

[SweetPea]

HI! I know exactly what you're going through! DS was on a shield for 10 weeks before he weaned off it! I"m not sure what advice you've been given but I was told to begin the feed with the shield on and when he's happy to quickly remove the shield and attach to the breast. It took weeks before he would go on without it and when he did he'd take a few sucks then come off, but one day he just went without altogether! Also try sneaking the shield away at night feeds, they're usually not as alert so it can be easier.
You'll get there it just takes a bit of perserverance! You could also try contacting the ABA counsellors, I found their advice invaluable in those early weeks (if you go to the aba website they have online counselling as well). Good luck, and enjoy your bubba!

[Ginger]

hi lynn, i used nipple shields for a few weeks when i first started bfing. i know they are not highly recommended, but they really helped me and got me through a real rough patch in my bfing journey. i hated having to take them out in public too and found them really annoying in the middle of the night. i used them for about 3 weeks, and then one night i had a nice, long, hot, relaxing bath with ds. he was just floating around me (i was holding him near my chest) when he decided to latch on without the shield. i have never used a shield since then.
maybe you need to get yourself in a really relaxed, warm situation...and just take your time...and let him latch on without it. i love to just lay in bed with ds some afternoons and let him snuggle up and feed freely. it is so relaxing to have an arvo nap together.
i'm sure barb will be able to help you out with this, but it sounds like you are doing a great job with your son and will be able to get rid of the shields soon.

[Inanna]

Hugs honey This baby business is a challenge sometimes hey? As always the advice given is wise.
I used nipple shields with my oldest child. I had an epidural headache and I couldn't latch her on so the shields were introduced. I did both the above - deep warm relaxing baths so she could find the nipple and "do what comes naturally" and also whipping it out mid feed when she was less frantic.

It takes time and perserverence but you WILL get there in the end.
Big hugs...
I too endured what you are.

[MantaRay]

The advice you have already received is really good advice and I totally agree. I just wanted to let you know that I too have been there, and we also were able to wean off the nipple shields once Jack was a bit bigger. We were totally shield free by around 6 - 8 weeks. So most likely you will be able to feed without them in time. GL.

[Lynn]

Thank you so much for your posts and suggestions. I was starting to think I was the only person using shields! I have tried a few more times, starting with the shield and then ditching it but he is still pulling off - maybe I have to hold him on a bit stronger????

Thanks again everyone, I'll see how I go.

[liss_jay]

My daughter had jaundice too & was also in special care. I used nipple shields for a couple of weeks (As per the nurses) & then one day, she just got the hang of feeding with out them. It took a while but we got there in the end. Just keep trying. I found that the Breast Feeding Ass were so supportive throughout my very tough but rewarding experience. We had so many problems & were told to give up BF but I perservered with it & it was so worth while. Just to add... Try listening to some music that you really like & try to relax while feeding. I hated it at first but after a while, I looked forward to the feeds. It is an amazing experience, one you & your baby share exclusively.
BF is such a beautiful thing. Just do your best. Try not to stress about it. Just try to enjoy!
Good Luck!

[Lynn]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is so great to get these responses and make me think about continuing. I was at the shops today and walked past the formula and said to Ethan, we could be buying that soon but hearing these stories encourage me to continue. I have decided that I need to tackle his reflux and sleeping problems at the moment but will try again next week without the shield. B/f for me is not painful it is just frustrating because he is so on/off, so I will try to continue.

Lewis's Mummy - the shield's have definitely not affected my supply. I have plenty of milk, sometimes the poor little guy is drowning in it!

Janie - thank you, I appreciate your support. I need the encouragement!

Milson - don't apologise at all. I'm glad that this thread can help you and others too. I am exactly like you and to be honest was embarassed at first to admit it but I don't like b/f either. It isn't the feeling because that doesn't bother me, but talking about it with my mum today I think the reason I don't like it is because it hasn't come easy to me so I am finding it frustrating and therefore not enjoying it. I am just hoping that over time as I work through the problems and it gets easier that I do enjoy it. Although I don't like b/f at the moment, I am and have bonded with my son so I don't think you have to enjoy b/f to bond. I think what Janie said is perfect.

Saram - thank you, you have helped. Just hearing others stories and knowing that I am not alone on this journey.

Thank you liss_jay and MantaRay - I appreciate your support

[milson]

Hi Lynn

Just thought I would pop in to see if you are still using the nipple shield or did you end up going to formula?

I am still using the shield- well sometimes I can get a reasonable attachment with the right nipple without it but on the whole I am using them.

[Jule]

I had problems getting DD to attach (flat nipples and she had ABO which made her jaundice). I ended up using nipple sheilds and ended up using them for 6 months. I'd tried and tried to get ther off them with no luck. Then one day she just handed it to me and latched on. It still took a lot of work to kep going after that - I got mastitis (again) but taking her to a chiro REALLY helped. We are still going and it's nearly been a year.

[Lynn]

Hey Milson,

Yes unfortunately I am! I have tried and tried but he just won't take the breast without it (or he is just so on/off and it hurts!). I always thought my supply was ok but it turns out that it isn't and I'm not feeding Ethan enough. He has been so unsettled but since I have been topping him up he has been much happier. I was topping him up with EBM but I'm just not getting enough for him so I am topping him up with formula. I can only do what I can do and this is the best at the moment.

Are you going to continue using it or try more to get rid of it? It is hard isn't it?!?!