Shield users UNITE!!!

[hollydfromtn]

After reading that so many of us ladies are using shields, I thought it might be nice for us to have our own thread to discuss things. It makes me feel so much better to know that I am not alone and that I am not failing at breastfeeding. I am simply doing whatever it takes to feed my child.

[flyster]

Checking in! LO is 5 weeks today and a shield

addict. I occasionally half heartily try to get him to latch without. I'm not sure if its him, or me, or what, but happy he eats really well with the shield.

[WittyLittle]

I bought a shield when we were having tonguetie +thrush issues... I cried because my nipples didnt fit in them (id bought the medela medium ones... I had tiny flat pink nipples pre pregnancy so really didn't think I'd need a large). Luckily now that I've recovered i do fit in them... But that was a total scare!

Show rise find that shields really aren't sticky enough???

[misshart00]

Mar 11, 2015 9:42:40 GMT -5 WittyLittle said:

I bought a shield when we were having tonguetie +thrush issues... I cried because my nipples didnt fit in them (id bought the medela medium ones... I had tiny flat pink nipples pre pregnancy so really didn't think I'd need a large). Luckily now that I've recovered i do fit in them... But that was a total scare!

Show rise find that shields really aren't sticky enough???

When I used them, they kind of suctioned on.

[amy2383]

I always have problems with outer edges flipping up

[flyster]

LO always knocks them off a bit too at the beginning when he is doing his head shaking thing. Then gets very angry when I have to put them back on.

[xoxolicia]

Checkin in! LO is 2wks and 3 days. We were originally only using the shield on one side, but have started having it on both. I also half-assed try to get her to latch without it, but She gets so frustrated so quickly. I'm going to attempt to start weening today. We'll see how that goes.

Thank you for starting this thread.

[PikoPiko]

Mar 11, 2015 9:42:40 GMT -5 WittyLittle said:

I bought a shield when we were having tonguetie +thrush issues... I cried because my nipples didnt fit in them (id bought the medela medium ones... I had tiny flat pink nipples pre pregnancy so really didn't think I'd need a large). Luckily now that I've recovered i do fit in them... But that was a total scare!

Show rise find that shields really aren't sticky enough???

Wet the shield with water before you use it. Or express some BM onto the shield flanges before you put it on to improve stickiness.

I'm still mostly pumping, but I still attempt to BF once a day for closeness. I always use a shield, my nipples are too sore for direct contact.

[missys]

Mar 11, 2015 10:34:15 GMT -5 flyster said:

LO always knocks them off a bit too at the beginning when he is doing his head shaking thing. Then gets very angry when I have to put them back on.

Yes to this especially in the MOTN!

[PikoPiko]

Mar 11, 2015 10:46:09 GMT -5 missys said:

Mar 11, 2015 10:34:15 GMT -5 flyster said:

LO always knocks them off a bit too at the beginning when he is doing his head shaking thing. Then gets very angry when I have to put them back on.

Yes to this especially in the MOTN!

Mine does the arm dancing in addition to the head shaking that ALWAYS gets in the way of his feeding. Silly kid.

[misshart00]

Why do they shake their heads? I feel like there must be a reason since a lot do it. And mine shakes his head after he's already latched. I'm not holding the back of his head either.

[PikoPiko]

My wild ass guess is that it's part of the breast finding deal that babies do like when you first place LO on the chest for skin to skin after birth.

[lilyelayne]

Mar 11, 2015 11:47:50 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

Mar 11, 2015 11:07:03 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

Why do they shake their heads? I feel like there must be a reason since a lot do it. And mine shakes his head after he's already latched. I'm not holding the back of his head either.

Maybe as a way to find the nip?

Anyone have success with laid back position? I was told this was good way to work on his latch but all he does is freak out and head butt around trying to find the boob.

Nursing without a nipple shield, but jumping in to say laid back position hasn't worked for me at all. I read it's good for flat nipples - both of mine are flat and one is a little inverted, so when my breast is really full sometimes he gets mad trying to latch on the "bad" nipple. I tried laid back and it's like he has no idea there's a boob there anymore.

I'd really like it to work for the times my lady bits are super sore. Currently sitting on an ice pack to nurse. I haven't tried side lying yet as I don't nurse in bed.

[sccurrier]

Mar 11, 2015 11:47:50 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

Mar 11, 2015 11:07:03 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

Why do they shake their heads? I feel like there must be a reason since a lot do it. And mine shakes his head after he's already latched. I'm not holding the back of his head either.

Maybe as a way to find the nip?

Anyone have success with laid back position? I was told this was good way to work on his latch but all he does is freak out and head butt around trying to find the boob.

I don't use a shield but I usually have him latch on when I'm sitting up a bit more so he's not head butting the boob then lean back more. Sometimes that throws him off and he'll pop off the boob and I have to try again.

[missys]

Mar 12, 2015 17:53:32 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

For those weaning off the shield, what have you found successful?

Patience and daytime feedings when we are both willing to take time and try to nurse without it. One of my nipples is flat and we have been able to forgo the shield during the day. I also have to make sure I'm using the "C" hold so that he can get a good latch.

[xoxolicia]

Mar 12, 2015 17:53:32 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

For those weaning off the shield, what have you found successful?

Giving up and putting it back on. Lol
I'm not good at this yet.

[missys]

Mar 12, 2015 18:50:31 GMT -5 xoxolicia said:

Mar 12, 2015 17:53:32 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

For those weaning off the shield, what have you found successful?

Giving up and putting it back on. Lol
I'm not good at this yet.

This too

[hollydfromtn]

DS is 6 weeks today. This is way longer than I had intended to use a shield but it's just so much easier than fighting with him to get a good latch.

[mands1125]

Mar 12, 2015 17:53:32 GMT -5 badw0lf said:

For those weaning off the shield, what have you found successful?

Pulling it off after a few minutes at night, having extra patience during the day and refusing to use it.

[PikoPiko]

My shield smells like soap. Any experience in deodorizing silicone? I've tried baking soda in high heat already.

[flyster]

Have you tried boiling it?

[alygohome]

G is 9 weeks and were still on the shield, for awhile I had her almost off and then I gave in again

[alygohome]

Mar 15, 2015 7:41:57 GMT -5 PikoPiko said:

My shield smells like soap. Any experience in deodorizing silicone? I've tried baking soda in high heat already.

I use denture cleaner

[ace226]

Here here! DS would scream at the breast so for the past week I've pumped and bottle fed. He sleeps 4 hour stretches already so it's not so inconvenient but I was hoping to breast feed. I attempted after he'd eaten some already and with a shield he was totally fine! And nursed so much and with so much excitement he promptly puked down my back but hey, one step at a time!!

[flyster]

Oh my gosh, just came back form a lactation group and actually got DS to latch for the first time without a shield. Despite being a very sleepy baby, he got over 2 oz. Now the trick will be to see if we can repeat at home by ourselves later.

[mommadozer]

I haven't used the shield in two days. LO gets frustrated a bit because I still have slightly flat nipples in the beginning and I'm full of milk. We power through it and he is a happy camper. I got tired of washing that damn thing everytime, enough to drive me nuts.

[flyster]

Mar 25, 2015 12:46:41 GMT -5 mommadozer said:

I haven't used the shield in two days. LO gets frustrated a bit because I still have slightly flat nipples in the beginning and I'm full of milk. We power through it and he is a happy camper. I got tired of washing that damn thing everytime, enough to drive me nuts.

We havnt either! He's eating like a champ even in the motn without it.