Hellobee Boards

I used a shield exclusively for three months.

I just kept offering without the shield, and basically shoving my nipple in her mouth.

Eventually she just figured it out. It took a week or so of me offering without it. I was amazed, because I thought I would never nurse without the shield.

I think at three months she was old enough to realize "mom is trying to feed me right now."

I did the same as @trailmix. Sometimes she kept going and others she would cry, but eventually she got it.

I did what @Trailmix: did. My supply really increased when we weaned off of it and I was getting adequate stimulation at each nursing session

@Ash: I wouldn't worry too much about the amount of time, he might be getting more or eating more efficiently without the shield. If he's still hungry, he'll let you know I think the latching without the shield is the hardest part of the switch so you're doing great! I only would put the shield back on if mine couldn't latch on and were screaming. It takes a few days for babies to adjust so just keep at it!

@Ash: We used the nipple shield exclusively until 4 months. I never had supply issues and it allowed me to EBF my daughter when I otherwise likely wouldn't have been able to. It was a bit of a hassle to constantly wash it but I really didn't worry over trying to force her to wean off of it because it worked for us. Then one day when she was four months old she popped off, ripped the shield off and tossed it, latched right back on, and never looked back. Still nursing her at almost 13 months.

I just started trying without it at a few feedings, and if she couldn't get latched on I'd put it back on. Eventually I got to only using it at night, because it was easier, and then I stopped using it then too. Hang in there, you'll get it!