[Stellabella1980]

Hi I have a 6week old that I have been using a nipple shield during breastfeeding. I am wanting to get bub back straight on the nipple but a having major problems with latching...has anyone got any advise on succeeding from shield back to nipple? I want to be able to feed in public but with the shield she leaks milk everywhere...thanks in advance

[Neko NoNo]

congratulations on your little one and with breastfeeding going so well. I used shields for a few months and did have trouble weaning but I found the advice on kelly mom fantastic http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/wean-shield/#weaning I also saw an LC through my child health nurse. She checked attachment and gave me encouragement.

I had the most success with starting with the shield and then taking it away mid feed. I also still shape my nipple with my hand and he is one year old now- it's probably more habit now, but it really helped with getting rid of the shield.

good luck.

[lucky 2]

Can you see a LC OP? Ideally when a baby is bfing from a shield the milk is not leaking out of the baby's mouth during the feed, ie it is swallowed.
Perhaps your baby is not getting you nipple deeply in her mouth even with the shield?
If you could see a LC for a feed assessment and improve attachment with or without shield I think this would be the most helpful to you.
All the best.

[PreachersWife]

I use shields (have with all three babies) and I know what you mean about the leaking. It's actually milk leaking out from between my skin/nipple and the shield, so attachment is good just a bit of a messy process.

I have tried getting rid of the shields with this baby (at about 10 weeks) but wasn't successful. I may try again, but now that DD2 is five months, feeds are much shorter and she is much better at it, there is hardly any spillage. I usually put a terry flat - spew central here - on my lap and tucked under my boob which helps catch the worst of it.

Good luck , but if you aren't able to stop using them, at least know it does get better! Eventually *sigh*

This post has been edited by PreachersWife: 17/11/2012, 07:07 PM

[Felix101]

I used shields with DS for a while, but found them a PITA so was determined to get rid of them as soon as I could

I would first shape my nipple and try to attach once or twice before each feed, if no luck then on with the shield, then I'd stop halfway through and try to attach without once or twice. Again, if it didn't work, back on with the shield and we'd try again next feed. I didn't try any more than once or twice a feed though, as I didn't want DS to get frustrated, and this couple of attempts never bothered him.

There were days we'd do well, and days we'd not do so well, but eventually there were more good days then bad, and after a couple of weeks of this we didn't need them any more .

Good luck OP! And don't worry if it doesn't work quickly or easily - some babies decide themselves when they're ready (they'll just pull it out of the way and attach themselves), and you'll get the hang of how to feed without the mess (I kept small face washers with me to catch the leaks, and just got better at being discreet with it all with practice).

[HeroOfCanton]

I fed DD with shields until she was about 5 months old - no advice on weaning off them, she just ripped one off one day & went for it!

I did find that it was very messy feeding in public, so I would take a cloth or wrap and stuff it into my bra underneath my boob, so any drips (or floods) would just be soaked up. When she was done, I'd wipe myself up with it and be done.
It's a bit tricky at first, but I got the hang of it really quickly.

Good luck

[Lokum]

I fed with shields until DS was 7 months (we did try from time to time before then, but they're really flat nipples.)

I found the worst was the little bit of milk which pools in the 'teat' end of the shield and when the shield comes off, that went everywhere.

I would have a little facewasher ready, and when he was coming off I'd use the facewasher to grab the shield and soak up the milk... and stuff it in my bag. Saved waving the bloody shield around for everyone to look at as well.

GL