Question for Barb and anyone else that can help!

Hi Girls :D

Just a question about nipple shields.

DS2 was born at 36 weeks & we had a few issues over the first 24-48yrs with attachment.

For the first 24hrs, I expressed & we used a syringe to feed him (I had a long period inbetween birth and holding him to the breast) - I had a c/s but from past issues, my Dr had to do a lot of work once he had me open & baby out, so I was in getting 'fixed'a lot longer than the usual time inbetween birth & recovery.

So as a result, we had a few issues with attachment, but managed to get it sorted by using the shield on day 2 - by day 3 he was perfect, and the lactation consultant said there were no concerns.

I asked how long I could leave it before I started trying to not use the shield - she said to try each feed but not to put too much pressure on ourselves, it would come eventually.

He is now 3 weeks old - feeds completely fine on the left side without the use of the shield, but I cannot get him to feed from the right side without it :(

From what I can see, there's no difference in my nipples from one side to the next - I'm alternating breasts so when I'm trying him on the right side hes not starving (hoping he has more patience to try without the shield?!)

Each time I try, he will lick the nipple (enough for let down, and then resulting in milk all over his face :lol:) - he has a minimal attempt at putting the nipple inside his mouth, but shakes his head & cries before really even trying if that makes sense?!

Is there anything else I can try other than perservering?
Both the paedeatrician & the lactation consultant at the hospital said to try but not to put too much pressure on time etc - its not so much that I'm still using the shield, just my concern that he has absolutely no issues with one side, but just refuses the other unless the shield is on.

I considered making an appointment to see a lactation consultant so she can inspect my nipples (and can maybe see a difference between them that I can't!)

Do you think its worth making the appointment now, or just trying for a little longer?

Thanks in advance :D

if he is ok on one side without the shield then try tricking him into thinking he is feeding from his favourite side (using the football hold) as that can often break the pattern. Also try feeding him without the shield when he is tired (middle of the night feed) as he may be so sleepy not to notice. But yes, by all means contact a lactation consultant. Even if all they give you is some reassurance they are well worth it for a happy breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

Yep, try the football hold, might just trick him into it ;)

Was going to say the exact same thing as Heaven and Traveller, worked at tricking my DD into feeding from the RHS :D

op, the PPs have said exactly what I was going to suggest. My little guy struggled with one side and that really helped.

also have you thought about an osteopath or chiro to check him out? if he isnt keen one one side it could also be a misalignment form his birth.

but also definatly do the football hold

I'd like to just add - how great is it to see you in this section of the BB forum?!!!! :D

Football hold worked to trick my DD into going twice as long on the side she didn't like. He may just have a preference for one side already, but the osteo is not a bad idea to check him out.

You are doing such a great job :hug: I think the advice about giving it time is good, and also second Traveller's suggestion to try using a different hold to see what happens. Sometimes babies don't like lying on one side - possibly due to something being out of alignment from birth. Other times they find the flow too fast or too slow on one side. It could also be that your nipple points in a different direction on that side - most us of are not quite symmetrical LOL! Sometimes a tweak to the way you are holding the baby can make all the difference. Changing the position or having a good LC help you with positioning and attachment could work wonders. And if none of the ideas work, there is absolutely no problems with continuing to use the shield for as long as you need to. In most cases babies latch on well without it after the first few weeks, especially when they are already feeding without it on one side.

All the best with it!

Have you tried baby-led attachment on that side - say in the bath where you can both be relaxed, or warm in bed?

Thanks girls!
I tried the football hold this morning & it worked :)
Tried again at lunchtime, worked again, but at the 4pm feed he wouldnt have a bar of it :lol:

I don't think its the side so much as the nipple - when the shield is on, he's fine.. only when its off.
He's trying really hard, but just can't seem to "find it" everytime - only sometimes - I think its a matter of trying each time & eventually finding the right position that I'm holding him in.

I'll see how it goes over the next week - I got so excited when the football hold worked :rofl:

ETA - Jen, I've tried when we've had cuddles etc (not at feeding time) & he seems to want to lick it & play around with it - just not get a hold of it :lol:

That's great news Holly. Sometimes it can help to look at your breasts in the mirror to see which way the nipple points, and then try to attach in front of the mirror as well. Sometimes it helps to visualise the way you need to adjust the hold for the nipple.

Just wanted to update - we're getting there!
We've had a shield-less day today :lol:

I figured out that it wasn't so much the side - my nipple on the right side doesn't seem to come out as quickly as the left.
I started by letting him use the shield to draw the nipple out & once I felt the let down, took the shield off & he's been fine :)

Today he's fed without the shield - I've just manually massaged my breast slightly before feeding on that side enough for him to find something to latch on to!
I'm hoping I've done it right!

We've had a couple of issues where he hasn't quite taken enough of the breast in his mouth initially, but we're getting there.

If he doesn't latch on properly at first, is it the right thing to do to unattach him & then reattach until its right?
This is what I've done - I just don't want to do it if its not the right thing & I end up turning him off it again, if that makes sense?!

Thanks girls :D

It is crucial to reattach until it is right - otherwise you are risking very sore and damaged nipples, and your cries of "ow" will put him off much more than reattaching!
His mouth will grow bigger and stronger - so this should become less of an issue too
well done you!

Well done, Holly! :clap: Sounds like you've done all the right things and he's bfing well. You are right to unattach and reattach. You won't be doing that for much longer. ;)

Well done Holly. That is such great news :hug:

Ah! Ditching the dreaded shields - great stuf!