Hellobee Boards

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but I couldn't get rid of the shield until my lo was around 5 months and big enough to get a good latch without it. She fussed so much without it, and I didn't want her to associate nursing with frustration so I didn't try hard enough to nurse without it, I just gave in and used it, until one day I forgot it when we were running errands and just went without it and never went back. I do think it affected my supply--I had to supplement starting around 2 months--but lo is 14 months now and we still have a wonderful nursing relationship!

@Boopers: ugh it was so hard! For awhile I did try to pump after nursing to boost my supply, but lo often fell asleep while nursing so it was hard to transfer her and then it basically meant I spent all of my time either nursing or pumping. I would pump after she went to sleep for her longer night stretch/before I went to sleep, and after motn feeds when she fell asleep more quickly than daytime naps/was easier to transfer. I did that for longer than daytime after-nursing sessions, but still only for a couple motnhs. I also used formula. I could have tried harder to lose the shield sooner, but the LC I saw was a bad fit for me personally (I found her really abrasive and not supportive...) and I didn't want to keep seeing her to work on our latch issues and it was too overwhelming to find a new person. And, I wasn;t sure if the shield was the problem or something else (I had also had mastitis before my supply dropped). Feeding her small amounts of formula or pumped milk after nursing worked fantastically for us.

ETA: I found an old thread where I wrote about our shield/pumping/supply issues: http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight I was so heartbroken then, but I promise everything worked out beautifully! Lo loves nursing still!

My only advice is keep offering! DD is 6 mo and we still use the shield; it wasn't until 5 mo that she will actually eat a whole meal without it, but sometimes we're both lazy and just pop the shield on. I used to switch midway; offer without when she's sleepy (and MOTN), etc...

@Boopers: She has been fine! No one would've suspected we're shield users! Are you sure you're using the correct size shield? I had a lot of pain using the standard one which was too big, so my LC suggested getting a smaller size and everything has worked out since. I'm wondering if he's not "milking" you correctly b/c the shield size isn't right. Btw I use one b/c I have flat nipples too!

Another thing you can try is to pump first so your nipples are drawn out and then have him latch on? I also bought this latch assist thing from Lansinoh; it's basically just a tiny suction device that you can use to pump out your nipples right before you feed.