Nipple Shields

I used a nipple shield for about the first 6 weeks because of latching difficulties. I consulted a lactation specialist to wean my son from the shield. It took him about two weeks to get the hang of it. If you can I would see a lactation specialist so you can learn to help them latch on with out the shield. It takes a little patience and practice. I thought I was always going to have to use the shield but with pratice my son got better at latching on without it. Good luck

Hi, congratulations on the new little boys! I don't have experience with nipple shields, but I just wanted to chime in and recommend seeing a lactation consultant, which I did when my little boy was just a few days old. It's very much worth the money, because I never had to go to formula. And I learned that different consultants may have different advice, so if you don't have luck with one, don't give up. Good luck!

My son was born at 32 weeks and i used a nipple shield until he was about 8 weeks old. the transition to get him off of the nipple shield was quite a battle. i finally just took the shield off and made him nurse without it. he was not happy about it and we struggled for about 2 days. After that he finally latched on and i nursed him until he was 15 months old. Good luck. just be patient with them.

Hi L.,
I used a nipple shield for around 3weeks, and was having the same problem. It really hurts to have your tissue coming out those 4 little holes. I started to use the shield for about 5min, then take it off and immediately get him back on; while your nipple is still 'big' from the shield. Keep trying and it will work. If they suck so hard to pull your tissue through those holes, then they can easily pull enough of your own nipple once they learn to get on there. Good luck!!!

WIthout the nipple shield, try lightly brushing his cheek with your nipple. He should have a rooting reflex that encourages him to turn towards it. You might express a little drop first, so he gets some immediate reward.

If you continue to have problems, consult a lactation consultant. You have your hands full with preemie twins. Hang in there!

It sounds like your nipple shield is too small. You need a larger one. I would contact a board certified lactation consultant asap. You can google one in your area, or look up llli.org and if they can't help you should know of a LC in your area! Good luck.

I never had the problem you are having but I did have to use a nipple shield myself with my son. He was 3.14 pounds when he was born and could not nurse without the shield. I used it until he was almost 3-4 months. I actually had a lacatation consultant come to my home to help me teach my son how to nurse without the shield. You may want to try that. Your hospital should have information re: lacatation consultants.
Good luck and Bravo for nursing!

My daughter really fought nursing from the moment she was born. I was devastated because I had always intended to nurse her. My lactation consultant was instrumental in allowing us to nurse together. We used a nipple shield for about 3-4 months. I know that seems like a long time, but she just wouldn't nurse without it. And then one day she decided that she didn't want it anymore and spit it out, so I took it off and away she went. I tried two different sizes of nipple shields. (bought the silicone one at Target) It took me a couple of weeks to realize that I had a nipple shield that was too small, once I got the right size, there was no pain.

After the first month of stressing over getting her to nurse and then trying to wean her off the nipple shield, I realized that there was more to being a mother than stressing about how I fed my child. From my own experience, people seem to worry too much about getting their kids to nurse the "right" way. If she needed a nipple shield to settle in against me, so be it. I bought three and kept one in each diaper bag and one in the kitchen and went on with the process of being a mother. My daughter nursed for 10 months, 4 with the nipple shield, and 5 without. Was it perfect? Probably not, but it worked for us. Good luck with your twins, you are doing a great job by just trying to breastfeed, It is hard to have perspective while you are in the thick of it, but it will all get better, I promise!

Lenore,
Congrats on the twins... You have a LONG road ahead of you, but every minute of it will be completely and utterly rewarding. My twins are girls and they are now 9. Can't believe how fast the time has gone.
I would recommend that you use some Lansinoh's lanolin cream to protect them from becoming raw, cracked and bleeding.
I would also recomment that you see a lactation consultant. They might be able to offer some expert advice. I nursed both girls but for 4 months only. The bigger they got, the more challenging it became.

good luck, Trish

My twin girls are now 3 1/2 and I nursed them a little over a year. The begining was really rough, but once we all got the hang of it, it was great. My girls were full term, so I don't have the same issue as you, I didn't have to use the nipple shields. But I had a lot of pain. The best decision that I made was to find a lactation consultant. I had several visits in the hospital, but after coming home I had asked a friend for a refferal and then ran the name by the hospital. She came highly recommended, and had been a lactation consultant for over 30 years. She was such a blessing, and things got much better. If it had not been for her, I would not have been able to nurse for as long as I did. Nursing twins is not easy, but with time all three of you will adjust and things will get easier. Don't give up until you have sought out a good lactation consultant and then if it still doesn't work, then you can make your decision. Good luck with your little blessings and enjoy them, they grow up so fast. Feel free to email me if you need any support or questions.

Are yo seeing a lactation consultant? If not, try a La Leche League leader (llli.org) they can help you. They really helped me when I used them, but I didn't have that trouble. I used them for a different reason.
I would recommend using a lacatation specialist for help with those, my SIL thinks that she had to quit nursing because of the shields.
Good Luck and keep going! You can do it!

Hi Lenore,

Congrats on the babies and working to breastfeed! Let me preface this with I am a Lactation Consultant who works with the issues you are dealing with.

Your babies are still 3 weeks before their due date, and that due date is important with premies. Most seem to pull everything together right around that time. Some babies will not nurse without the shield for a length of time and trying to wean them from it can be a real challenge. At this age, it would be unwise to do a tough love thing (that I sometimes recommend with older babies) and try to force them to nurse without it. In my experience it just doesn't always work well and can lead to very frustrated babies...with a very frustrated mom. Most all babies will eventually self wean if they won't wean when mom tries... :)

The issues you are having with the nipple shield do happen and they can be worked with, however, they really need to be evaluated in person by an LC who knows has extensive experience with premies. So, I would encourage you to look in your area for such an LC - someone who comes to your home would be best if possible. Ask for referrals from friends who have seen someone - do your research and find someone who you 'click' with. :)

Hang in there...you can do this - it just may take time, and I encourage you to get the appropriate help. :)

Warmly,
J. Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

Hello L.,

This may sound crazy but what about cutting the end of the shield off? Your babies would still have the same feeling in their mouth and the end of your nipple would be free. This could be a middle step towards getting ride of the shields. I would do this only if you have a second pair that is intact (just in case that does not work) and only if there is a way to do it safely for the mouth of your babies (no raw edge).

Good luck,
Josée

Congrats on your twins! I used nipple shields for 4 months as my son would not latch on. After 4 months of being in pain from using them (they gave me thrush), I just started feeding him without. That may not work with you since they are only 7 weeks, hopefully what the post below said will work; however, if it doesn't try going with a different size shield or talk with a Lactation Consultant. I ended up going to one as I thought the pain of the thrush was him not knowing how to latch on still. I am so glad I called her!

Good Luck to you!

good for you! you have your hands full...i am impressed. i used a nipple shield in the beginning as well for my preemie son. when i started to wean my son off the shield i would always start a feed without it, he was usually hungry enough to latch on, eat a little and then realize it was different and pull away. then i would put it back on and sometimes take it off again through out the feed. it is tricky. they are still pretty young so they may still need and you may just need a larger sheild. my son used the shield for 4months (way longer than i wanted to)but he wouldn't eat without it. then one day he just didn't want it and wouldn't use it (best day ever). good luck, email me if you want more info...i could go on forever :)

I lived in Southern California when I needed advice for a completely different problem. My pediatrician was one of this groups biggest supporters. They has been around for YEARS.

La Leche League info:
http://www.lllusa.org/

Good Luck and God bless,
T. F