Breastfeeding - Nipple Shields and Pump Question

Lactation Consultants do not recommend shields because babies sometimes don't want to quit using them. I used them with my son and that wasn't a problem. My daughter also used them some with no problems. We use some of the ideas in "On Becoming Babywise" by Gary Ezzo and we don't a problem with constantly nursing. Also, all three babies slept through the night at a young age -- 2 before 8 weeks and 1 before 3 months. Give it 6 weeks before quitting. I have hated it with all three until then. 3 months it's old hat and you could do it forever. Find out if the hospital your delivering at offers anything. Where #3 delivered we get free lactation consultations as needed. It's great! Something that's very expensive. They even helped us get a pump when we needed it. As far as sensitivity goes, after about a week that goes away if I remember right. Also, it's only right at latch on. The pain goes once baby's busy. GL! and congratulations!

S.,

Oh do I know exactly how you are feeling.... I was scared to death about breast feeding. When my daughter was born, I did have some trouble getting her to latch on, but I never gave up. I was determined to breast feed. As far as the shields and what not, I never used any of those things. What I did use was the Lonsolin. Not to be confused with Lanolin. You can find it a Target. The big tube for about $10.00. It is not as thick as lanolin. I used that after every feeding and after the shower. I drenched my nipples in that stuff. I used it for about a month, but let me tell you what. I had no soreness and no chappiness or cracked and bleeding nipple. I am telling you that stuff is the best. Breast feeding was the best experience for me ( and still is. ) I am sure that this cream was why. Also, as far as the pumps go, I got my electrical pump at Walmart. It is an evenflow. Around $50.00. We didn't have much money, so I wanted something inexpensive, and I love it. It is very easy to use, and electrial (which is really nice). Any way, Let me know if you need more info or any thing. My daughter is only 4 months old so things are still new to me too. Good luck!

I had a tough time getting started nursing, and the nipple shield made things worse--it made my daughter not learn to latch properly, and she still (at 27 months) latches improperly on one side, making it painful to nurse.

It seems like things got a lot easier at 6 weeks--so I would definately see a lactation consultant, and then just plan on a rough six weeks. Your nipples get less sensitive, but during those first weeks every time you nurse your uterus contracts, and it hurts. It is great for getting your uterus back down to it normal size, but it does hurt. So, if you give it a try, expect a rough first six weeks, and then for things to get easier. I don't want to discourage you, but I want for you to have a realistic expectation.

Good luck. I think the lactation consultant before hand is a great idea.

When my son was born he had a hard time getting enough of my nipple in his mouth and the lactation consultant recommended nipple shields. They worked and he adjusted to them quickly. If you do use the nipple shields you will probably find that you won't experience too much pain from that initial week of breastfeeding. However if you stop using the shields you will probably experience some of that the first few days as your nipples get used to the baby sucking more of you and not having the shield. The shields worked well for us, but it was kind of a pain to always have them, pull them out when you needed them, get everything ready if you were out and about, etc. I used them about three weeks then decided to wean him off of them because it was such a hassle to use them. The first few times he nursed without them was a little different for him. He wasn't crazy about it, something different than he was used to, but I really wanted to stop using the shields. He got it after a few times and we were off and rolling. Also, the first two times he nursed without the shields he ended up sucking more air and throwing everything up. All in all, they worked fine, but I would say don't use them if you don't have to. It can just be a little tough when you want to stop using them.

Something else that might help with the pain is a product called Soft Shells. Medela makes them. You wear them inside your bra and they keep your nipples from rubbing against your clothing. Helps if you are super sensitive.

As for pumps, Medela makes a new one called the Freestyle. It looks amazing. It weighs only 1 lb. and can fit in the palm of your hand. It is a double pump and the settings and everything are electronic. It also comes with hooks so you can pump hands free. I don't have it (wish I did!), but a friend of mine got it and loves it. She even bought hers off ebay (new, unopened).

Breastfeeding is one of those things that can be frustrating, as you have experienced. I think you just have to stick with it and tough it out. I hear so many people say it took 2-3 weeks to get mom and baby used to everything. I think things get worked out and run more smoothly if you stick through the hardships at the beginning. Lactation consultants are great to talk to as well. I hope everything works out well for you - good luck!!

I know someone recommended La Leche League already, but I just wanted to second that. You can attend meetings before baby is born, and that is actually encouraged. There are so many mothers who have been there and are willing to share and encourage and support you with all of your questions and concerns. One of the four monthly meeting topics is actually is "Getting Breastfeeding Off to Good Start". Even if that's not the topic the month you attend, any and all of your questions will be answered with researched and experienced knowledge. I postponed attending while I was pregnant, falsely thinking that I had to have my baby first. How wrong I was and how I wish I had known I wouldn't be considered "weird" for showing up before having my son! http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html

In specific answer to your question, you can pump or use nipple shields, however you will find that either of those alternatives are MUCH more work than breastfeeding. Getting good help from a lactation consultant at the hospital with latch (make sure is IBCLC lactation consultant, not just a nurse who has taken a short breastfeeding class) can make a world of difference in getting started. The lanolin is also essential early on.

Good luck with everything!

I to am very sensitive in the nipple area I did not nurse my first two children because I was scared of the pain, But when I had my third daughter mt husband really wanted me to give it one more try and I am so glad I did, the bond that we share is so rewarding. It did hurt for about a week, but now it doesnt bother me at all,this is funny but I can't stand for my breast to be touched by my husband but the baby does not bother me. Anyways I also use the medela breast pump and love it. Hope this helps and good luck.

I feel strongly that good support is the best way to succesful breastfeeding. I used a lactation nurse named Faith McGinn. She works out of a place called Our Sweet Beginnings in Littleton. (303) 317- 5795
www.oursweetbeginnings.com
She makes home visits and will stay as long as you need her to. She will also help you over the phone. She was a miracle worker for me. She is reasonably priced, highly accredited and truly loves her work. Trust me she knows what she is doing. You can spend so much money on books and so much time on the internet trying to get questions answered. Do yourself a favor and get in touch with Faith before you have your baby. Pumping is a whole other learnign procces with its own complications. You need a plan! She will answer all your questions over the phone and really spend time with you. My nipples were xtremely sensitive too. I also had a really hard time in the beginning. I wanted to give up many times. If breastfeeding is an important goal to you then you must be tenacious and give it your best shot for several weeks. The nipple soreness goes away!!! Then all of a sudden you and your baby will find your groove and it will become so much easier I swear! I have been going strong now for 11 months but it wasn't without a lot of work and sacrifice. It was so worth it. Good Luck!

S., please don't use nipple shields! They actually reduce breastmilk production by as much as 53% and can cause nipple confusion! Pumping is usuasly a pain in the butt, but it can increase your milk supply and give you a chance to leave the house, so it's give and take. Don't be afraid and get good help, a birth doula, postpartum doula or La Leche League are great resources. I am a birth doula and would be happy to set up an interview if you would like, I'm on the Denver/ Aurora border.

Hi S.--
Am sure you'll get lots of good advice, but I just went through my second, which I thought would be easier than the first, and actually ended up cracked and bleeding. Oops. I was worried about her not latching correctly, so I let her nurse as long as she wanted at first. Big oops. Follow the nurses' advice--do the 10 minutes a side every few hours (or whatever they say) to get your milk in, and then once it does feed every couple hours. But don't let yourself be a pacifier early on, not until your nipples toughen up. At the hospital, ask for the gel pads, and then use lanolin preventatively--don't wait until you start to get sore to use it.
But here's my best advice--even if it gets really painful and you can't imagine even one more feeding, just take it one feeding at a time and keep at it. Your baby will thank you in good health and good cuddles, and I promise, the pain will go away and you'll look forward to the moments of peace and calm when you are nursing your baby.
Good luck!!

If your are a stay at home mom this is hardly a issue. You've made it one by not wanting your baby latched on all the time, You say it didn't go well with your first how did it go with the second? Instead of getting worked up about pumps and such, why not talk to someone at le leche? Calm down, nursing time is rest and take a deep breath time. You need to be playing with your nipples to toughen them up, jusy as you should be working your pernium so it won't tear - get your hubby to help with both - he probably won't mind. Calm down, sound more like you are torn between what you "ought" to do and what you are comfortable with, than you are about nursing. Nursing is so easy - always ready, nothing to carry around, no sterilizing, mixing, heating, storing and it's the perfect food for the baby, I never had a baby bottle in my house when my kids were nursing. Get some education and then prepare your body and mind rather than machines. Women have done this for thousands of years! You can do it!

First off, most hospitals have breast feeding/breast pump classes at a low fee. I completely recommend them. Also, when you have your baby, there should be a lactation nurse available to help you if you are having trouble with having the baby latch on. What I remember is them telling me that if it hurts, there is something wrong. It's usually how the baby latches on. There is a right way and a wrong way. Pumping might help as well. This way other people can help feed the baby. But be careful, my milk supply went down when I was pumping. The most popular brand of breast pumps are Medella (if I spelled that right). If you take the breast feeding class, they usually go over the different kinds of breast pumps that are available. Good luck!!

You might want to look around La Leche League's website: www.llli.org.

Be very careful in the use of nipple shields. They can cause nipple confusion and also decrease your milk supply. You'll probably be a *bit* sore at first, but it'll pass before you know it. (After a while you get really used to nursing... I can actually sleep while my little one nurses!) Meet at least once with a lactation consultant in the hospital when you deliver... they can help evaluate your baby's latch so you are all sorted out before you go home.

Pumping is *so* much more complicated than breastfeeding. You've got the time to pump (and baby's much more efficient at getting the milk so it'll take longer than nursing), time to wash bottles & pump accessories, time to prepare the bottle and heat up the milk. I'd suggest that you exclusively nurse for the first 6 weeks or so, then introduce a bottle. If you pump just once every couple of days you can build up a stash of milk pretty quickly, so you can get a litle time away.

I'm currently nursing my 2nd (nursed my first for 2 years) and wouldn't do it any other way unless I had to. I had a tough time with the first one but we worked through it...and I was always so happy about not having to lug around bottles along with the diapers & all of that. It is so convenient! And you never have to worry about how to get the milk to the right temperature, since it's always just right.

I have had my DH give the baby milk (he doesn't like a bottle much, so DH cup feeds him) on occasion so I can go out with friends. It's worked wonderfully well so far.

Best of luck to you!