When to use a nipple shield
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Topic: When to use a nipple shield
Posted By: karenb_chch
Subject: When to use a nipple shield
Date Posted: 30 March 2011 at 2:14pm
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I am having real problems with painful and cracked nipples and am at my wits end - hopefully someone can help ...
Several midwives and lactation consultants have observed my babies latch and all think that it looks fine, but when she has finished a feed, my nipple is usually pinched/pointed. I am producing plenty of milk, but she is a pretty lazy feeder, and usually ends up comfort sucking after just a few minutes at the breast (I have to continually stir her up to keep her actively sucking). This has meant that I am currently expressing after each feed, and topping her up with EBM (usually 30-50mL after each feed). The top ups are also required because one breast is so painful that I can't put her on it at the moment. I am wondering if nipple shields would help to protect my nipples until they heal properly, as they aren't getting any better at the moment. Any other suggestions would also be gratefully received ... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Faffer
Date Posted: 30 March 2011 at 3:01pm
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I used nipple shields for about a week after coming home from the hospital with grazed, cracked and bleeding "blender nipples". Like you I had a baby with a perfect latch, but I think the damage from the first few days in hospital coupled with a staph infection (no doubt from the hospital as well) meant I didn't have my first pain-free feed for nearly 7 weeks after her birth.
The shields got me through the week where I was ready to give up after every feed (and crying through most of them). I probably should have kept using them for another week but they were a PITA to use and sterilise especially in the middle of the night. Anyway, its worth a go if it means you'll be able to keep bf. I've heard mixed reviews on different brands, I used medela ones and they were pretty good. Another thing to try if you're confident which helped me a little is alternating feeding position so the nipple isn't experiencing pressure at the same angle every feed. I alternated between cradle and football hold. -------------  
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Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 30 March 2011 at 9:18pm
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Nipple shields were my saviour! I used them for 8wks and would have given up BF if it wasn't for the protection they gave. I used the Medela ones. -------------  
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 31 March 2011 at 8:20am
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I can't advise on nipple shields, but your nipple shouldn't be a different shape after a feed, so I think perhaps the latch isn't quite right.
I found that when I had a really sore bleeding nipple it healed really quickly after I gave it a quick wash in saline then used a lot of lansinoh. |
Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 31 March 2011 at 8:41am
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My milk took 13 days to start to come in, by the time we realised at day 3 that I didnt have any milk I had big blisters on my nipples and they were cracked and had come of the inside on the outside (it was really gross!). DD had a perfect latch, but the constant stucking had just worn them away.
I ended up on nipple shields which helped somewhat, but my nipples got to a point where they werent going to get any better with them on and so we got rid of them (also a lot of hassle to fuss around with them!) but def try them and see if they help  ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel 
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 31 March 2011 at 12:44pm
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karen also when my nipples were sore i would rub a few drops of breastmilk on and let air dry then apply the lanolin stuff, and i second that varying the position helps too, i feed lying down in bed for the first few feeds then cradle hold the rest of the day, just gives that side of the nipple a rest. And if your using breastpads use cloth ones or ones that dont have plastic backing, mine were so sore untill i switched pads to non plastic ones, relief! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: Marengo
Date Posted: 31 March 2011 at 12:45pm
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also dont worry if you have to skip a day and use a bottle, i had to do that too when they were just so sore i couldnt have her on them, just express before the feed and use a bottle, you need to heal :) sometimes a day is all you need also. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
Our angel Ella Louise born 13.04.
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Posted By: JadeC
Date Posted: 05 April 2011 at 4:45pm
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Go for it, nipple shields saved our breastfeeding relationship! I was really worried about using them, but they helped SO much, and we came off them really easy. ------------- http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: mcshort
Date Posted: 10 April 2011 at 9:48pm
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How are you getting on?
I had success with medela nipple shields with my first baby, but the second baby they didn't work for us at all. Has bubs been checked for a tongue tie at all? my baby started off with a receded jaw and short tongue (but no tongue tie) and so we tried a huge range of things to lengthen the tongue (mostly doing finger-feeding with a lactaid, and using a NUK dummy and NUK teats, and lots of sticking our tongue out at him for him to copy). Get your nipples out in the fresh air as much as you possibly can, and if any sun shines then that'll help strengthen the skin. Keep getting as much help as you can and lots of luck. (We just got feeding 'right' and my nipples finally healed after 4 months harrrrd work so I feel your pain. You can do it!!) ------------- Mum to two very active boys, born October 2008 and December 2010. Getting excited about becoming a Childbirth Educator, and LOVIN being a birth support to amazing and courageous women! |