Nipple Shields and Breastfeeding

[SoonerTexan]

N actually was doing a good job breastfeeding immediately after birth, but the LCs in the hospital gave us a nipple shield when she started having trouble during a visit. Now on Day 2 she is doing much better, but shows no interest in feeding when I try without the shield...I'm getting worried that it might have been a bad idea. The LCs didn't give me any instructions on how/when to wean her from it and I can tell she prefers the large nipple the shield gives her vs. my own, which are very small.

Also, I'm having a hard time getting her to wake up/stay awake for feedings. She'll sleep for such long periods of time during the day that when I try to feed her every 2-3 hours, she just wont wake up!

Any advice? I took a breastfeeding class from an independent consultant I really liked a few weeks ago and I'm going to email her, but I'd appreciate any input here. I'm having major mommy guilt already.

[Michele]

Use the shield if it's working. Once she grows and your breasts and nipples adapt to breastfeeding, you can start trying without it. Might be a few weeks, might be a few months. Unless you notice supply issues or she doesn't seem to be gaining/transferring milk, nipple shields can be a very good thing! It sucks they got a bad rep. They help a lot of moms/babies.

Sometimes you need to strip her down to a diaper and tickle her feet, wipe her face with a wet cloth...but definitely wake her every few hours to feed. Her liver isn't capable maintaining her blood sugar yet. And feeding that often will help your body establish your milk supply.

These first few weeks/months are really all about feeding the baby and snuggling/napping with the baby. Enjoy the fourth trimester and try not to get overwhelmed by details.

[Deebs]

First, take a deep breath. BF is hard and really different for every baby. With my first daughter, I had to undress her to feed. She just got too comfortable and fell asleep the second I put her to breast. Also, you can tap on the bottom of her feet to wake her up while feeding - that will often work.

With the nipple shield - I'm wondering if you're not getting a good latch without it. I almost think you should call an LC to have her help you with latching.

I'm sure you're doing great!

[spotty_dog]

Once she's back to birth weight, you can go a little easy on waking a sleeping babe for feeds. If the hospital LCs weren't internationally board certified (IBCLC), then their advice might be as much anecdote as tested protocol. See if you can get a visit with someone who has ALL the letters after their name within the next week or so, to get you a game plan for the nipple shield. I've heard both pros and cons about them , but have no personal experience, so I hesitate to suggest anything. More skin-to-skin time is always good, for both of you!

Easy on the mommy guilt. You CARE. That makes you an AWESOME mommy right out of the gate. No grape soda in the baby bottle, right?

[scrub-jay]

Call or email your independent LC ASAP!! Ours had so much more knowledge than those in the hospital, definitely get a hold of her and do what she says. Talk to your ped about the feeding timing bc ours ended up okaying us NOT waking our dd up to feed bc she had no interest unless she initiated it. You are doing great, all moms use one "frowned upon" item or another...each baby needs something different. ((hugs))

ETA: Cross-posted. I agree with what others have said, does the nipple shield prevent nipple stimulation? (I really don't know...but nipple stimulation can also contribute to building the supply)

[ladymoreta]

Use the shield if it's working. Once she grows and your breasts and nipples adapt to breastfeeding, you can start trying without it. Might be a few weeks, might be a few months.

I agree! You can occasionally try removing it when she's about halfway done with the side to see if she's ready to stop. The nipple will be pulled into the shape she needs by that point. For DS, I think it was a matter of him getting bigger.

I bought several, and I would keep a couple at home in different locations and one in my diaper bag. I had pacifier wipes in my bag, so if I needed it while I was out, I'd just wipe it down and wash it when I got home.

Don't feel bad using it! The silicone ones almost never cause supply issues, and chances are once her mouth and your breasts are closer matched, she'll prefer without the shield anyway.

[ladymoreta]

I agree with what others have said, does the nipple shield prevent nipple stimulation? (I really don't know...but nipple stimulation can also contribute to building the supply)

Almost never. I believe that was happening with the older versions. The silicone ones don't really have that problem, and they have a nose cutout for skin contact/nipple stimulation.

The only problem I had with it was that it's much slower.

[scrub-jay]

L, I knew someone would know!! I hope I didn't come off wrong ST, I think you have no reason for mommy-guilt, you are doing an amazing job. Use the tools you need!! ((big hugs))

[GreyhoundsRUs]

The only other thing I would suggest as far as getting her to stay awake is to blow on her face or rub her head (like you're messing up her hair). Basically, annoy her You're doing great, mommy!

[SoonerTexan]

It's a silicone one but doesn't have the cutouts. They gave us those too, but she had a harder time with it getting in the way. I don't think it is stopping milk production...I think it is actually starting to come in. Just bummed that she gets really frustrated without the shield when she was doing alright at first. I'm going to call the other LC and set up a visit. She's been doing this for 30 years.

[scrub-jay]

I bet she'll have so many tools in her toolbox!! No matter what she says about the shields, I hope she eases your mind about the mommy-guilt. Nipple shields are not grape soda!!

[HouseofWool]

Sophie needed the shields at first too. In retrospect, I should have had them for C as well, but I didn't know enough then. After a few weeks/months Miss S was a champion nurser and didn't need them any more.

It's a silicone one but doesn't have the cutouts. They gave us those too, but she had a harder time with it getting in the way. I don't think it is stopping milk production...I think it is actually starting to come in. Just bummed that she gets really frustrated without the shield when she was doing alright at first. I'm going to call the other LC and set up a visit. She's been doing this for 30 years.

In my experience, what happened in the hospital -- the "at first" -- really never stayed the same once I got home. This would likely have crept up with or w/o the nipple shields. I think when they're first out of the womb, breastfeeding is all instinct, and as the days progress there is just so much out there -- other stimuli, etc. They flail, their little arms seem to multiply and get in the way, and so on. It's frustrating, I know, but it really is par for the course.

I never used nipple shields, but my SIL really relied on them. As for your nipples being small ... they won't stay that way for long.

[Thirteen]

B is sick, so this is short:

ASAP: do not wait --
Set up a consult with the LC you like. Tell her concerns, have her watch you attempt a latch/feed with and without the shield. If she's worth her salt, she'll know what to recommend.
If not, I can get you free phone help with 5 certified LCs, M-S, PST, and a local rec from Kitty, the "Breast Whisperer."
(DH knows her).
It is a steep learning curve for both Mom and baby, so don't feel guilty.

We had to strip B naked and apply cold packs from the freezer to his back and feet because wet washclothes and blowing in the face did zilch for keeping my sprout awake.

Have your DH set up stations throughout the house with nutritious non-perishable snacks and H2O. It's amazing how fast they drain your calories, and how quickly sleep deprivation sets in. Forgetting to eat/drink properly can affect supply.

Call me if you need anything.


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[Bittersweet]

Just echoing everyone else - banish the mom guilt and consult your LC stat. I did everything "wrong" in the beginning and we're still going strong 7 months later. These early days are all about surviving, IMHO. You're doing great!