Nipple Shields

Very sore nipples... well, isn't just the situation nipple shields are designed to aid?

Not necessarily. Why not try & solve the problem that is the cause of soreness first? Click here to access a large resource of advice from the LLL. See the BfN page on medicines or ask your pharmacist for advice on using pain relief whilst feeding, and please don't suffer in silence.


I've met many mothers who say that nipple shields caused more problems than it solved. That includes one who had to continue to carry sets of clean nipple shields for almost a year whilst feeding her child. This was because she couldn't wean her child off them, but wanted to continue giving her breastmilk. Ever tried feeding discreetly in public when using nipple shields?

Nipples shields are known to bring the following problems:
  • Decreased transfer of milk from Mum to baby
  • Increased nipple pain and/or damage
  • Preference by infant to taste or sensation of shield
  • And of course, the shields have to be cleaned
  • Reduced milk supply
  • Interference with proper latch on
  • Message of failure as a mother

I quote here from the lovely Dr Jack Newman:
"A nipple shield started before the mother’s milk becomes abundant (day 4 to 5) is bad practice. Starting a nipple shield before the mother’s milk “comes in” is not giving time a chance to work. Furthermore, used improperly (as I see it often being used), a nipple shield may result in severe depletion of the milk supply."

"If you must use a nipple shield, do not use one at least until the milk supply is well established (at least 2 weeks after the baby is born).
Get good hands-on help first—a nipple shield is really a last resort. "

The La Leche League Breastfeeding INFO page on nipple shields has sensitive advice for anyone already using them:
"Offering the mother what Leaders excel at, mother-to-mother support, is vital. Suggesting an increase in skin-to-skin contact between feedings can give both mother and infant a sense of enjoyment, better bonding, and decreased pressure to perform. Warm baths taken by mother and infant together can help them to achieve a state of relaxation that may encourage the infant to latch on at the breast without the nipple shield.

Sleepy infants are less resistant to the change from shield to breast; encouraging the mother to attempt latching the baby on during early morning, naptime, or nighttime feedings might be helpful. Mothers who are trying to teach their infants how to breastfeed without the nipple shield will need a great deal of support. Stress levels are elevated during this time and many mothers have weaned from breastfeeding completely when faced with the additional challenges of feedings that do not go as anticipated."
Mums are encouraged to wean away from using nipple shields as soon as possible. Never cut the nipple shield (it's a choke hazard!).

Advice on weaning away from nipple shields
from KellyMom, LLL, and eHow.

No comments:

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...