Nipple shields have saved us!

[tambo1976]

My son is now a week old and has struggled to latch since birth. After expressing and feeding him via syringe for 3 days I decided to express into bottles instead as syringe feeding was just so slow. He took to the bottles but I still wanted to persevere and feed him direct from the boob.

So we went to a breastfeeding support group today and was told he won't latch on at all as my boobs are so full my nipples have flattened and I should try nipple shields.

My OH then went to mothercare and grabbed me some and... OH... My... God! Instantly Scott latched and had a really good 20 minute feed! Suction was amazing and I nearly cried with happiness! Finally a breakthrough!

If I could meet the person who invented shields I swear I would kiss them lmao!

Tapatalking so can't see sigs or click thanks!

 

[redbear]

put in to trial tommie tippees breast sheilds and they send you two free all you do is fill in a form to give them feedback xx

 

[l_maclean]

We used shields for 4 months. G finally cracked it and we managed to bf till pregnancy killed it at 11months.

Glad to hear they are helping. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[tambo1976]

Thanks I'll definitely get the free ones and good to hear you used them for 4 months, I was told they were only to be used for a short while x

Tapatalking so can't see sigs or click thanks!

 

[l_maclean]

Thanks I'll definitely get the free ones and good to hear you used them for 4 months, I was told they were only to be used for a short while x

Tapatalking so can't see sigs or click thanks!

There is. Conflicting advice about them. Basically some folk think they cause more issues and interfere with natural latch, I think for some babies it can cause nipple confusion as the have to latch a bit different and suck harder, so if you suddenly start using them (say because of pain) LO might not get much out - but I think if your using them all the time LO changes their latch and suck to adapt. If its working for you don't let anyone put you off.


I think my LO had a lip tie and that's why we needed them. It burst on its own so she could latch better when she was a bit older.

The TT ones are ace and come with a wee case that you can sterilie them in. X


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[Claire123]

Well done for persevering hun! It really is worth it xx

 

[tambo1976]

Thanks Claire, I agree, any hard work is instantly made worth while and seeing that little bottle fill up or watching his little checks bob up and down while he's on the boob just makes me immensely proud.

I was thinking the exact same thing tbh, surely if I use them all the time baby will just know no better and suck accordingly. I don't care if I have to use them permanently then I will, just as long as they work then that's all that matters to me x

Tapatalking so can't see sigs or click thanks!

 

[lucy1702]

put in to trial tommie tippees breast sheilds and they send you two free all you do is fill in a form to give them feedback xx

i cant find it i would love it try them out when madam is here x

 

[l_maclean]

put in to trial tommie tippees breast sheilds and they send you two free all you do is fill in a form to give them feedback xx

i cant find it i would love it try them out when madam is here x

As someone who had no option but to use them, I wouldn't recommend them unless you really can't bf natural. They can be a pest to our on desire tely, you have to remember them ALL the time, adding in sterilising. They don't make natural bf easier, the solve rather specific problems. If you don't NEED them don't bother. X


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[Karate Kid]

Well done for persevering Hun, they saved us after eight weeks of expressing round the clock but it is oh so worth it.

I would get LO checked for tongue/lip tie just in case. At 9 months we have been shield free for 4 months and BFing is going strong xx

 

[tambo1976]

I'm confident I'll be able to wean him of them eventually but for now my nipples are quite flat and if I didn't use them then there's no way he could latch. I'm really hoping my nipples will perk up again soon lol but until then it's shields for us x

Tapatalking so can't see sigs or click thanks!

 

[babymother]

Well done tambo! It is wonderful feeding your baby yourself xxx