Nipple Shields and Breastfeeding

[MrsK]

I used sheilds for K2. His latch technique was sort of rough and left me chafed and bleeding. He got the hang of things quickly and I only needed the sheilds for a few weeks. Don't fret about using them if you need them.

[bokelley]

Nothing to add obviously but support!! Your doing amazing

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I'm with B - you're doing awesome mama! Keep up the good work!

[Pollyanna]

You are doing great mama. Like everyone has said, breastfeeding may be natural but it is not easy or second nature. I think some LC are great and a huge help so find one that works for you. Your mom might be a great resource too. Honestly every single LC told me different things and the three that came into my room after our first all contradicted each other and had me in tears. If the nipple shields are working then don't feel bad about using them. You can worry about weaning later. Like Michele said, the fourth trimester is all about feeding and cuddling (and changing a few diapers). Take your time and try your best to relax, you are a great mama.

[SoonerTexan]

Went to see the LC today--it was very helpful. She spent almost two hours examining the baby, me, and watching us nurse in all sorts of positions. We had a ped appt this morning, so I know she is gaining well, but the LC agreed that there is obviously a problem.

She wouldn't latch at all without the nipple shield, so it stays for now. However, her latch is still bad even with the shield. The LC was amazed she is getting enough milk to gain so well. Basically she cannot/will not open her jaw wide enough to latch correctly and she immediately pushes out everything but the nipple once she is on. Painful for me and not very effective for her! The LC said she is compensating with her massive sucking power! Unfortunately that suck power made it hard for her to tell what exactly the issue is...she couldn't feel any abnormalities, but suspects she might have a tight frenulum. First, we are going to try Cranial Sacral Therapy--basically a jaw massage to see if that loosens her up. If that doesn't help, we are going to an ENT to have her evaluated to see if she needs her tongue clipped. Then if she does better, we can work on latching without the shield. I've got an appointment for the therapy for Thurs!

Her main worry was that the baby is getting just enough milk, but really not as much as she needs and my supply could drop in a few weeks leading to a slow-down in weight gain and having to go to pumping/bottles. So until then I'm going to start pumping 1-2 times a day to keep things up and help with the engorgement. It makes me feel better to have a plan of action and know there actually is something wrong instead of it all being in my head. She should be getting WAY more during her endless 35-50 minute feedings and not be coming back for more so quickly. So a win...I think?

Michele--I know you had Phe's tongue clipped. Any insight?

[ladymoreta]

So glad you got some help! This makes me wish I'd gotten a consultation when DS was having trouble.

I'm also interested to hear about the tongue clipping. DD needs hers clipped, but we're *still* waiting on the oral surgeon's office to call. (I asked my pediatrician at our last appointment, and he said it looked like my insurance had been approved, so they should be calling any day.) Sigh, I literally feel your pain!

[peggyfromwastate]

Anyway to move up the ENT consult? It gets harder to treat the older the baby gets-- it's not a tough fix, but it is an anesthesia issue when babies are past a certain age.

That being said, if there's not something obviously wrong with the frenulum I doubt an ENT would do much with it. If you want to take a picture and send it to me I can have dh take a look.

[peggyfromwastate]

So glad you got some help! This makes me wish I'd gotten a consultation when DS was having trouble.

I'm also interested to hear about the tongue clipping. DD needs hers clipped, but we're *still* waiting on the oral surgeon's office to call. (I asked my pediatrician at our last appointment, and he said it looked like my insurance had been approved, so they should be calling any day.) Sigh, I literally feel your pain!

I strongly urge you to not go to OMFS only bc usually dental insurance has a heavy copay vs ENT which is part of the medicine world- so it's a matter of your medical vs dental insurance. ENTs are actually much preferred for this type of surgery over OMFS. I'm surprised you were referred to them. Get your ped to refer to ENT. You don't need a Peds ENT necessarily-- it's basic stuff but ENTs handle it all the time. Not OMFS. A good rule of thumb- bony stuff- OMFS. Tissue stuff- ENT.

[SoonerTexan]

I'll take a pic tonight. Can you pm me your email Peggy?

[ladymoreta]

Great to know, Peggy! Yeah, he originally told me he was referring her to an ENT at her one-week appointment, but when I went in yesterday for her two-week appointment, he said he did the oral surgeon referral because he thought she'd get in faster. I'll call tomorrow and see if I can change it!

[peggyfromwastate]

Great to know, Peggy! Yeah, he originally told me he was referring her to an ENT at her one-week appointment, but when I went in yesterday for her two-week appointment, he said he did the oral surgeon referral because he thought she'd get in faster. I'll call tomorrow and see if I can change it!

Dh says an OMFS could definitely handle it-- it's "intern level", so it just becomes a question of insurance really. Once you go in for a consult with OMFS they might start billing you for that consult right away. We had to have dds frenulum snipped when she was 10 before she got her braces. Dh was just a med student and we didn't think to ask our ped if there was anyone in medicine who could do it bc our med coverage is 100% but our OMFS stuff is 50% only. It ended up not being covered by our dental insurance at all (I can't remember why) and we had to pay $600 out of pocket for a 10 min consult, a 15 min procedure (extra 100$ for laughing gas vs lidocaine) and a 5 min f/u appt. rip off. If ENT had done it it would've been free...

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

ST - Just want to applaud your mama instincts! You knew that something wasn't quite right and obviously you were validated! I know you have lots of sibs but I'm so impressed by what a natural you are! Sounds like you've got a good plan of attack with the pumping, etc.

[SoonerTexan]

ST - Just want to applaud your mama instincts! You knew that something wasn't quite right and obviously you were validated! I know you have lots of sibs but I'm so impressed by what a natural you are!

Haha--you haven't seen me crying because "I'm not doing it right," worry about bonding, and fighting with her to latch on for 5 minutes! Parenting + hormones is kicking my a**! It helps to get good feedback here, though. I'm a planner...I like to have things lined up. Doesn't work so well right now and I'm doing my best to get past it and learn to ask for help!

I applaud all of you who did it with multiples, no family nearby, or as single parents. You are my heroes.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Hang in there...the first two weeks the hormones are the worst :/ Call or text if u need to!

[scrub-jay]

ITA - You'll find a rhythm, the first few weeks are HARD. I had the same worries you do now. You are doing amazing, your daughter will form a great, strong bond with both you and with J. All you have to do is SURVIVE the first few weeks, just breathe and survive. ((big hugs))