Comments on: Breastfeeding Product Reviews: Medela Nipple Shields

By: Happy Momma

Happy Momma — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:01:42 +0000

I have flat nipples and was given the nipple shield in the hospital after unsuccessfully attempting to feed for 3 days. I pumped every 2 hours to get my supply up. My son used the nipple shield for four months and was in the 90th percentile for weight. I was able to pump an extra 6 oz every morning after his initial feeding, so I have a hard time believing the shield affects supply. We made sure to keep him on each breast for at least 20 minutes at each feeding, 8 feedings a day for the first 2 weeks.

At first I felt like a failure for using the shield, and the lactation consultant called my son “lazy” for not working to draw out my flat nipples at one week old. I went home in tears, as did my son with the weaning attempt. I spoke to a LLL leader, who read me the LLL policy, which is – if baby is not ready to wean from the shield, the initial problem still exists.

Yes, it was a pain to keep them clean, but so are cleaning bottles. I stuck with it and was proud of my son for weaning himself at four months. He is still in the 80th percentile for weight which I am happy about – that will smooth itself out as well.

Mothers – trust your instincts. Healthy baby, healthy Mom. Yes, it’s a pain, but I just viewed it as a lesson learned early on. I can’t control everything about my child’s upbringing, but I’ll make the best choices I can with the situation given to me. Don’t give up – call LLL if you need help – lactation consultants are great, but every case is not the same.

By: Jenise

Jenise — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:01:54 +0000

With my 2 week old, I had cracked and sore nipples that almost caused me to quit breastfeeding, despite help from a lactation consultant. The pain was excruciating. On my second visit with the consultant, she recommended these, and they made a world of difference. I was able to continue breastfeeding with very little discomfort, and allow my nipples to heal. Then I was able to quit using them.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:25:50 +0000

I had no problems breastfeeding at the hospital but shortly after going home my son developed a bad case of jaundice. We had to supplement him with breastmilk in a syringe to help flush it out. The jaundice made him so sleepy it was near impossible to nurse him. One night the syringe broke and we were forced to give him a bottle. After his jaundice cleared up he still preferred the bottle because it was easier. For a week and a half I attempted to nurse him at every feeding until we both cried then ended up having to give him a bottle anyways and then pump to keep up my milk supply. The process has been exhausting and depressing. I have been working with a lactation consultant and today we finally resorted to the shield and it was the first time i was able to nurse without supplementing since leaving the hospital. It’s not the most convenient way to nurse but if it comes down to it i rather use the shield than resort to formula.

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:07:19 +0000

Here’s some info for you on using nipple shields:

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/112/nipple-shields

You could always try the next size up and see how your baby handles it, but it sounds like you have the right size. If your breasts are not getting emptied enough to keep up your milk supply and prevent engorgement, then be sure to pump or hand-express some milk after each feeding. Make sure to watch that your baby is getting enough (both by normal weight gain and wet and poopy diaper output).

By: efw

efw — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:12:10 +0000

I just started using a nipple shield at the suggestion of an LC because of cracked nipples that aren’t healing even though she was able to correct my latch. My daughter doesn’t balk at the nipple shield (she seems content to eat from anything!), but she doesn’t empty my breast with it very well. I think she has more trouble nursing from it than from the breast, but if I don’t heal these cracks, I’m not going to make it past these three weeks with nursing.

I’m confused about the fit of the shield and don’t see the LC again for a few days. Should the nipple be tight in the shield? the 16 mm one fits, and the 24 mm one seems to big for my baby’s mouth, but the nipple is definitely tight in there.

By: rachel

rachel — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:31:25 +0000

Although I felt, at times in the beginning, desperate need for the sheild, because the pain in the nipple while breastfeeding my newborn was so great, my daughter would have nothing to do with it. She may have starved to death were it her only option. No bottle either, so it probably wasn’t the sheild’s fault. We toughed it out, and around 6 weeks after birth breastfeeding became more and more comfortable, and we now enjoy a fulfilling nursing relationship. She is a year old, and we have no immediate plans to wean.

By: Chrissy

Chrissy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:44:12 +0000

I was told that I had flat nipples at the hospital and given the nipple shield to use (which we have used ever since). Although it has been a tough road breastfeeding, my 3 mo. old is a happy, healthy baby! Just recently our pediatrician told us that he was gaining weight (he weighs about 13 lbs), but not spectacularly. He went from 40th percentile at his 1st and 2nd mos appts to 25th percentile at his 3 mos appt. We have trouble with him falling asleep at the breast and try to keep him awake, but I never thought there was a weight gain problem. I’m wondering now if using the shield is responsible? and if so what is the best way to wean a 3 mo. old off of the shield?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:09:04 +0000

My daughter has a very large nipple…it is not flat so I am not sure this would work and was wanting to know do they make a shield that would fit over hers and make the nipple smaller…like that of a bottle nipple…which he has no problem taking. She is convinced the pump is going to dry her up…is this true? He’s been getting pumped milk through a bottle for 12 days now,,,gained weight nicely but they tried for five days to get him to accept her breast and I feared he’d starve so insisted she pump and feed. Now it’s all my fault…please help.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:32:40 +0000

I have been using the medella 24mm standards sin my daughter was 4 days. I was pumping and finger feeding until then. My daughter is now 3 months old. I tried to stop using them around 8 weeks. She would latch on, however my nipples were very sore and she struggled the whole time. After taking her to the dr. and a BF support group, we found out that the roof of her mouth is uneven (one side higher than the other). It is no problem, except in the area of breastfeeding! While it was very discouraging to find out that she wouldnt be able to BF without the assistance of a shield or pumping and feeding her through a bottle, I have come to terms with it and am thankful that i can BF at all!
The combo of expressed breast milk and feeding with nipple sheild is working great, as she is now almost 14lbs
These saved my BF relationship with my DD. I love them and would take this to formula feeding any day!
ps- getting a good nursing cover, like hooter hider/ baby au lait makes feeding in public with the NS much easier and less stress- as it has a convenient little pocket built into it!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:10:32 +0000

I had to use one because I was soooo sore the first few days (I think my daughter had undiagnosed tongue-tie). My nipples were also kind of flat and needed to be drawn out. I ended up with a low milk supply, although I don’t think the shield was the only reason. We sell the contact nipple shields at work, but there’s a warning on the rack stating that they should only be used under the supervision of an LC. It’s so tempting to use one at length, and I just think if you CAN do without something, it’s probably best. Kind of like birth, it seems that interventions in breastfeeding often result in more interventions.