Learn and Discuss About...
Nipple Shield?
6 posts on this thread and the last post was on April 27th, 2007 2:04 PM
There are currently 4839 members logged in.
 | stg111 - April 25th, 2007 6:51 PM |
|
[Original Post] |
|
My son is 7 weeks old. He was in the Nicu when he was born and they gave him bottles of formula so of course he refused to bf. I started pumping and giving him bottles then I called a lactation specialist who gave me a nipple shield... She said it's just a temporary thing but my son is bfing with it so I"m not in a rush to get him off it( I have tried to take off the shield and he wont bf). Does anyone have any experience with these things? Is it bad if I continue to use it as long as I bf?

|
|
 | hthab - April 25th, 2007 7:03 PM |
|
|
I haven't used it, but I know some people who have. I don't think it's bad to continue to use it, but some mothers just get tired of always having to have it around when it's time to feed.

|
 | KimS - April 25th, 2007 7:17 PM |
|
|
hey stg111, my ds is 11 wks old and I've been using a nipple shield since 2 wks... the public health nurse told me that he'd give up the shield when he was ready... I also know someone who bf for 9 months using a shield.. GL

|
|
|
|
I used the breast shield and had issues with my third child to latch on. Using the shield doesn't actually allow them to latch on properly which in some woman can cause infections as they are massaging the breast the same way. I used it to soften the nipple and after a few days of screaming matches (mainly by me!) he started feeding without it. Using it all the time can confuse them - the same as switching between bottle and breast too early. They have to 'learn' how to feed without it and the longer you leave it the harder it is - as I found out with my second.

|
|
|
|
I forget to ask but if you were wanting to b/f why didn't they cup feed your baby? They did that with my first who was six weeks early and needing photo-therapy so he was too weak to start feeding straight away.

|
 | stg111 - April 27th, 2007 12:08 PM |
|
|
Tory, I wish they would have cup fed my baby, I didn't even know it was an option as this is my first baby.. I"m just relieved that I don't have to pump and feed him the bottle anymore, I guess that's why I"M not in a rush to get him off the nipple shield..

|
|
|
|
Fair enough stg111. Do what's best for you an your wee one and as long as both of you are happy enjoy it!

|