Using a Nipple Shield
Nipple shields are usually clear, flexible, nipple shaped pieces of silicone with holes in the tip that can be held over the breast while a baby nurses. They can be a wonderful option to mothers who are having certain breastfeeding difficulties, as long as important concerns about using them are addressed.
Most women use nipple shields because of flat nipples. From what I have read, this is usually not a good reason, because the baby actually latches onto the whole breast anyway not just the nipple. Even if the nipple shield is needed for flat nipples, it should generally be used for just a minute or two of sucking, taken off after the nipple is caused to stand up, and then the baby should latch directly to the breast.
Another reason for using a nipple shield is “disorganized” sucking or nipple confusion. But it is usually better to take time to focus on teaching the baby to latch correctly. Over time, this will ensure that the breast is emptied properly. Also, hand breast compression and expression at a slow, drinkable rate while baby is learning to latch will be more nourishing for the baby, bringing down the rich fatty hindmilk to the nipple. A poor latch usually means the baby is not getting the fatty hindmilk on their own, and nipple shields do not compensate for this problem, because nipple shields prevent the baby from compressing the breast tissue and properly emptying the breast.
Another reason for nipple shield use is nipple soreness. Nipple soreness is common during the first few days breastfeeding, and the best thing is usually to keep on nursing and wait for it to get better on it’s own. Usually by three weeks the pain will have tapered off. However, some mothers develop painful blisters or deep cracks which can make nursing a baby pure agony. This might be a good time to protect injured nipples from further trauma, but care should be taken to address the root of the problem as the nipple heals, such as correcting an incorrect latch. It should only take a week or so before the shields can be put aside, but in the meantime, continue massaging the milk down toward the nipple while nursing and also try to hand express milk if you can.
Nipple shields can reduce the amount of milk available to the baby by between 22- 58% depending on the type of nipple shield used http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul00p39.html . Most of the milk that is left in the breast will be the rich fatty hindmilk that the baby needs to thrive, which is why nipple shields should only be used temporarily in most cases, and hand compression of the breast should be used with it.
May 26th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Thanks for that useful information!
I had really sore nipples during the first few weeks of breastfeeding my daughter. To the point where they were cracked and bleeding. She ended up getting thrush because of this as well.
In preparation for my second, I was actually going to go out and buy a nipple shield, but after reading this post, I am definitely second guessing that decision. I think I will wait until it is absolutely necessary!
My big problem is getting my nipples to be in good condition prior to the baby coming–they are already dry and cracked with scabs on them and I am only 5 months pregnant. I have tried Lanisoh and it doesn’t seem to help…any other suggestions?
May 26th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Thanks for posting! First of all, get breast shields to keep clothes off them and don’t rough up your nipples. I know that sounds backwards and you’ll get contradictory advice elsewhere, but your nipples are already sensitive because your pregnant, and that won’t change until your baby comes.
Second, don’t use any soaps on your breasts.
Third, if you have sore nipples while breastfeeding, you can give your nipples a bit of a break by hand expressing milk right into their mouth. (Just make sure you don’t drown him/her. )
Fourth, you can use a shield if all else fails, but take it away after a few days, and remember to massage your breasts while baby is feeding, to squeeze out all the extra milk you can!
Hope that helps!
Jess
May 30th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Jess–thanks so much for the advice.
I had a really hard time hand expressing with my first child–I just couldn’t seem to do it. Hopefully I will be more successful this time, because that sounds like a great idea!
I don’t use soap on my breasts and I have been using Lanisoh to help the nipples, but it isn’t working!
I worry that if I wore nipple shields all the time right now that my nipples wouldn’t get enough “air”.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I had to use a nipple shield with my son when he was born. While I think they should only be used as a last resort - for us it was - he wouldn’t latch on! The nipple shield enabled me to better stimulate his suck reflex and we were able to establish our nursing relationship. I weaned him off the shield between 3 and 4 weeks later and we are still nursing at age 3!
Judy
http://site.mothersboutique.com/blog