Praise the Lord for nipple shields

[alzi]

I didn't use a shield, but breastfeeding was very painful for at least 2-3 weeks. And we had latch issues too. I hope it gets easier for you soon!

[anlo]

I didn't have latch issues, or use a shield...but I wanted to say that for me, nursing hurt like a bitch every time DD latched on at first. The pain/burning would last for about a minute then go away. This went on for the first couple of weeks, then got so much better. All this to say that when people say nursing shouldn't hurt, sometimes they are full of shit. Hang in there!

[speckledfrog]

Yes indeed! I used one on just one side for about 6 weeks. I started to freak that there was going to be a problem because I was still using it but thing eventually worked out. You use that bad boy as much as you want.

[game blouses]

YES! I loved the shield. It saved my life. DS wouldn't latch in the beginning and I used the shield for every feeding for 6 weeks. He randomly weaned himself at that point - started biting the shield and latching on his own. It didn't affect my supply whatsoever. I'm glad it's working for you!

[Deleted]

Breastfeeding was painful for the first month for me, and uncomfortable for awhile after that. Totally normal!

[motzie]

I had to use a shield because my nipples were flat. It was still painful for a few weeks. I think I weaned from the shield after 3 or 4 weeks because it got to be more trouble than it was worth and I didn't want to need it to nurse.

The pain does go away. If you can push through the first few weeks its worth it.

[speckledfrog]

One thing I would do after the first few weeks would be to latch him, let him nurse a little, pop him off and then relatch without the shield.

[daisyheadmaizie]

Breastfeeding hurts like hell to begin with no matter how good of a latch you have. Lanolin is your friend. Pile it on frequently. Seriously the first 2-3 weeks are hell, the next 2-3 are marginally better, and after that things are pretty smooth sailing. Hang in there, mama.

[KKD]

I never used a shield, and I've heard it can be a hard habit to break when babies come to rely on them.

The pain is completely normal, though, no matter what the books and nurses say. Neither of my girls had any latch issues, and my nipples were still sore for a good 4-6 weeks. I remember calling my OB's office about a week into it with Emily in tears because it was so painful, and it was such a relief when she told me that anyone who says it shouldn't hurt if you're doing it right is WRONG. She was the one who told me that breastmilk has natural healing tendencies, so expressing a little and rubbing it onto your nipple after nursing can help. I alternated the breastmilk with lanolin after every feeding. I never did the cabbage trick which she also recommended but it may be worth a shot.

It does get better, though, I promise.

[speckledfrog]

Jun 4, 2013 19:17:26 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

KKD I am rubbing BM on them and also using Lanolin. I am wondering if I just need to clench through the pain? the issue is she self re-latches constantly and screams when she gets frustrated so it hurts even more as she's always re-latching. I don't want to use the shield long term. Maybe I will skip it for the next feeding...

Do what feels right to you.  You are still in the "figuring out WTH I'm doing" stage but it's never to early to go with your gut.

[sonrisa]

My baby couldn't latch at all without a shield until 3 months or so. Then she weaned no problem (we nursed to a year). Nursing wasn't smooth for us. I think anything that makes it more bearable is good.

[daisyheadmaizie]

Use the shield if it works. Honestly, the first 6 weeks are survival mode. Do what works for you and your family. Don't worry about the shoulds, coulds, or right ways. Seriously.

[KKD]

Jun 4, 2013 19:17:26 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

KKD I am rubbing BM on them and also using Lanolin. I am wondering if I just need to clench through the pain? the issue is she self re-latches constantly and screams when she gets frustrated so it hurts even more as she's always re-latching. I don't want to use the shield long term. Maybe I will skip it for the next feeding...

Like others said, if the shield is helping, by all means, do whatever works best for both of you. So much of life with a newborn is pure survival!

I'm not sure how latch issues affect it so I'll tag frkls in case she has any more advice.

[FloFTW]

I had a preemie (also Harper!), my boobs were bigger than her ENTIRE body, I had oversupply, and flat nipples. So you bet your ass I used a shield. For two months. We wouldn't have made it without it.

She weaned off the shield no problem and nursed for 18 months.

[FloFTW]

OH! One thing! Stop using lanolin for awhile. See how that feels for you. I hate that stuff. You're trying to build up tolerance for having your boobs being chewed on and you put lotion on them to keep them SOFT and SUPPLE after every feeding? Eff that noise. Let them toughen up instead of starting from scratch every time.

JMO. YMMV.

[Deleted]

Whaaaat?!

No. Lanolin saved my life.

I still remember the first time dd spit up blood and I was all "Omg! Internal bleeding!" and then I realized the blood was from my nipples, and was actually happy about it. Lmao.

I think the lanolin creates a moisture barrier that encourages healing.

[sarahbear]

I didn't use a shield, but bf was painful for almost 7 weeks for me with my first child (second Kid I pumped). It felt like a thousand stinging needles every time he would latch. Ugh. I was so tramatized but for some insane reason stuck it out. My point in all this is that I bf for 17 months, so it gets better and you can be successful at it even if the begining is tough.

[FloFTW]

Jun 4, 2013 20:40:57 GMT -5 @stellasmom said:

Whaaaat?!

No. Lanolin saved my life.

I still remember the first time dd spit up blood and I was all "Omg! Internal bleeding!" and then I realized the blood was from my nipples, and was actually happy about it. Lmao.

I think the lanolin creates a moisture barrier that encourages healing.

I know! It sounds crazy! But I swear...I used it for the first kid and had pain for a looooong time. Second kid I did it for the first week...ran out...and poof. No more pain.

It's like I needed to get callouses and the lanolin was preventing that.

[FloFTW]

It might never be completely white. Everyone's milk is different and it changes through the months. Sounds completely normal to me. I think mine was yellow for at least a month. Then it actually got blue ish.

[Deleted]

Yeah. My bm when dd was a newborn was more yellow. I know mine got paler, but it was gradual.

I also didn't feel a let down until dd was about a month old.

[angelaa73]

You're doing great!

keep going!

[redheadk]

I didn't feel a letdown for a few months.

Walgreens carries a small selection of bfing supplies, including nipple shields. Great for if you need DH to run and grab something. By the formula on a bottom shelf.

Instead of lanolin, try earth mama angel baby or mother love nipple butter. You can order from amazon or get some from a local crunchy mom store. They are less runny than lanolin and helped me so much.

The lansinoh therapearl thingies are great for painful boobs. You can put them in the freezer or heat them up in the microwave. My local Walgreens has them.

[gmail]

Jun 4, 2013 21:02:31 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Jun 4, 2013 20:56:23 GMT -5 FloFTW said:

It might never be completely white. Everyone's milk is different and it changes through the months. Sounds completely normal to me. I think mine was yellow for at least a month. Then it actually got blue ish.

Good to know! Thanks

THis might be a dup - sorry!

I found that the super-thick lanolin was too harsh for me. I used this and it was AHMAYZING on sore nips. You don't have to wipe it off b/w nursings, either.

www.amazon.com/Earth-Mama-Angel-Baby-Natural/dp/B000JVCBBG/ref=pd_sim_hpc_6

[KKD]

Try massaging it too. I had that happen a few times with Kate, and while she was nursing I would apply pressure and sort of push toward the nipple as if directing the milk through the duct, if that makes sense.

I thought of something else that helps with nipple soreness: alternating positions. Switching from a cradle hold to a football hold or side-lying hold will mean her mouth will hit at different positions which may give your sorest spots a break.

[tdk2]

I agree- I would not have been able to nurse at all w/o them. (Flat nipples). Never was able to get a latch w/o.

I wanted to reiterate what frkls said. Lactation consultants told me and told me often they don't give out nipple shields to patients w/o special instruction. They told me that kiddo can't latch far enough onto breast to stimulate milk prod when using a nipple shield so that was part of my pumpin regimen so that I wouldn't lose supply. So, it's something to watch.

Lanolin sucked for me - it may be related to my sheep allergies and that I can't touch clothes w animal fur w/o a reaction, who knows. (but a few dots makes a good adhesive for your nipple shield, FYI ). I wonder if lanolin is more pleasant to use in the south. In a norther state, it was always really thick. When I was in Australia, it was much easier to spread and liquidy.

When I had bleeding, I really preferred mother love nipple cream that I bought on amazon. I think there was also a Bella bee nipple cream that was ok. Btw, if you have any little tiny lanisoh sample tubes, those were the easiest to use to make little tiny dots to hold the nipple shield in place.


If you can wean off it, I highly recommend it whenever you can. I didn't get to feed c on boob as much as I would have liked and the nipple shield made the process so much harder and more complicated. One more thing to lug, place, arrange w a hungry baby I agree they are wonderful so that you can actually feed, but if there's any hope without in a few weeks or month, try ditching it for your own sanity. I had a love/ hate relationship w them.

Btw, if you order then on amazon, different brands have diff size and placement of holes. Weird. Also, some models have a half moon kind of shape, others are fully round. While I didnt like the fully round one flipping toward baby nose, she and I both got better at it. I liked the round better than the half moon ones. Those were harder to keep in place esp when she got older.


Damn I hope bf-ing is easier this time around.

You are doing great, and I'm so glad you got a nipple shield and that it helps!!

[AHappierHour]

I used a shield for the first few weeks then I weaned them off. It wasn't too hard to do. I would start with the shield and slip it off.

[tdk2]

Jun 4, 2013 22:50:52 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Ugh eff y'all. I think I have a clogged duct just found a hard lump on my right breast near the top closer to the armpit. She's been feeding less time on that side. I pumped it twice and applied a hot compress.

Hang in there! I think when I would get one, I'd usually start to feel it one day and w hot compress/shower/massage (downward towards your boob/ nipple I believe was the direction)/ pumping, usually it'd clear sometime the next day when pumping. Sometimes I'd feel a woosh of relief, other times I'd just suddenly realize it felt better and was gone. I only had a few stubborn ones that lasted a few days and one bad week long one right when I was trying to reduce pumping to stop.

If you're taking a hot shower and having nipple pain issues, I believe it's suggested to put lanolin on your nips before the shower to keep them from too much water/cracking. I think they also recommend not soaping your boobs while bf-ing.


Ahhh so forward, chatting about your boobs. I hope you don't mind!

Kellymom .com has a lot of great info btw. But you can go insane reading too much of it. Sometimes it would make me question whether or not I was doing enough, so if you start to feel that way, stop reading! You are doing great.

[tdk2]

Oh! Re clogged ducts. Took me awhile to realize, but often I would be super irritable w/ Dh the night before I had a clogged duct manifest. I think the build up starts sooner than we realize. So, don't feel bad if you were feeling rather cross and irritable before one- it may just be a sign that you're in more pain than you realize at that point.

[Deleted]

I used a shield for 15 months with DS and am using it now with dd. it is the only thing that allowed either if them to latch.

[maddie]

Hi Veronika. I've never commented on here before, but I randomly came across this and wanted to give you some advice. (I'm a nurse practitioner working in pediatrics, so I see lots of new mom's with this issue). First, it's good that you're using a warm compress. You also need to MASSAGE. And the massage really needs to be pretty intense. If it doesn't get better, you have to go see your OB--it could be mastitis. Mastitis is seriously nasty and will make you feel awful. Are you feeling sick at all? Make sure you don't have a temperature and keep an eye on it. Good luck and congrats.