https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 06:03:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049690 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 16:14:58 +0000 nana87 2049690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used them for about 5 months or so, until one day it just was easier to get lo to latch without! My nipples are/were flat so it made it much easier at first, but I do think it eventually damaged my supply. Actually, I don't seem to have much of a supply problem now at 10 months, but I think that's more of a she's eating more solids and drinking less issue than the nipple shield alone </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049687 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 16:10:56 +0000 snowjewelz 2049687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been using one and DD will be 2 months. Got one at hospital due to flat nipples; later saw an LC and got the xs nipple shield. I am bad with trying to get her to latch without; she has done it a few times and I do want to eventually wean. She has good diapers and is gaining weight so I assume she is getting milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049631 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:15:31 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2049631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On my phone, so short response. I was given one in the hospital because nobody wanted to take time with us to help latch correctly. It caused us a ton of problems, including weight gain. I'd suggest finding the best IBCLC you can to stop using it ASAP. The second one I saw said she rarely ever uses them and most problems are due to positioning. Good luck! Wall me if you need more suggestions, we've been through a lot with BFing and are finally at a good place :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049624 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:08:44 +0000 ktdid23 2049624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have flat nipples so I used them the entire time I nursed (7 mo). My daughter def got enough to eat; she has been hanging steady in the 95th percentile since she was born. I never weaned off them because I didn't see a need. She was eating, I wasn't sore, I was producing more than enough milk (she would eat and I would still pump 6 oz total after she was done... Mooooo). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049609 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:54:21 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2049609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was in the NICU, and one of the LCs recommended it because he wasn't latching well. At first, I *could* get him to latch every so often without it, but used it because it just made the whole process easier. I actually felt okay with the idea of using it the entire time we BFed....but then I started to lose it in the dark during MOTN feedings, it was a pain to clean, etc. What really got me to ditch it altogether, though, was at 2 months almost exactly my son one day just started latching right on by himself pretty easily. Up until then I would at first try to get him to latch for a minute or so without it and either he'd do it or I'd put the shield on. When I saw he was starting to learn how to latch on his own it just made the whole process easier. However, it took us two months to get there, so don't give up! Your baby will hopefully learn in time, and I'm THRILLED it was given to me to use because I likely would have thrown in the BF towel without it. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more-I didn't know anything about the shield before I began using one so I had a lot of questions I sort of had to figure out on my own, too. My favorite series of podcasts, from The Boob Group, has a good one on this topic if you want to listen (<a href="http://www.newmommymedia.com/episode/dos-donts-nipple-shields/" rel="nofollow">http://www.newmommymedia.com/episode/dos-donts-nipple-shields/</a>). Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049578 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:28:13 +0000 snickers 2049578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started using them in the hospital because I had an inverted nipple on one side.<br /> I didn't wean LO off until he was about 6 months old. I guess I didn't necessarily need to as my supply was good &amp; he was getting plenty to drink but I wanted to try without it.</p> <p>Through local services I got booked in with a free lactation consultant who helped me wean off them. It was good to have 1 on 1 support as I had forgotten what they taught me in the hospital about angling the nipple in the babies mouth. I also found watching breastfeeding videos helpful.</p> <p>It really hurt at first! And I almost gave up, I guess its just a matter of getting used to the feeling again. I found nipple shields so easy to use, just pop them on any old how so the biggest challenge for me was getting used to having to be careful how he latched on again.</p> <p>I ended up breastfeeding DS for just over a year, so I did about 1/2 the time with a shield, and half without. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049573 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:24:12 +0000 MrsRcCar 2049573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a shield for about 4-6 weeks. One day E ripped it off and latched. We never looked back. Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049563 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:15:30 +0000 twodoghouse 2049563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used them until they were two months old. I started using them in the hospital because one of my nipples was pretty flat and my babies were small (one under 5 lb, one just under 6) so it helped their tiny mouths latch. It was also less painful although it really just delayed the pain because ditching the shield was sooo painful! I went mostly cold turkey for nursing during the day but kept it up at night because they were sleepy then and the latch was sloppier (which meant more pain). I supplemented from the day 4 due to weight loss, so I never knew if they were getting enough with the shield. I do think my supply increased when I ditched the shields. As far as a struggle weaning them off the shields, the only problem was with me (he pain!). They became more enthusiastic and efficient nursers once I got rid of the shields. I think they enjoyed the feel of me vs plastic in their mouths too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049542 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:54:44 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2049542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To answer my own questions...I'm using nipple shields because her latch is not working. She was losing too much weight her first week, so it was our only option along with supplementation. Also, I had cracked, sore nipples. My nipples are also semi-flat. </p> <p>She never gets enough at the breast and I think the shields are to blame. She's 16-days-old and she's been using them for nearly the whole time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/weaning-off-of-nipple-shields#post-2049539 Sun, 01 Feb 2015 13:51:26 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2049539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why were you using nipple shields? How long did you need them? Was your baby getting enough milk with the shields? How old was baby when you weaned him/her off the shield? Was it a big struggle? Any tips? </p> <p>Sorry for the million questions! Answer one or all if you can. :) THANK YOU! </p>