My wife has had trouble breastfeeding. A friend recommended to her that she try a breast shield, and it seems to be working. Our baby latches on now without problems.
My only concern is that the breast shield packaging states that breast shields are only to be used with the supervision of a lactation consultant. Everything seems to be going fine (well, better the fine, our baby actually likes to be breastfed now). Is there anything we need to know about a breast shield? Any information will be greatly appreciated.
2007-05-02 17:46:27 · 11 answers · asked by Jonathan 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Well the two biggest concerns with using a breast shield are:
1. The baby will get attached to the breast shield and may have a hard time getting off of it.
2. Your wife will be getting less direct stimulation to her breast which can reduce her milk supply.
If you feel like you need the shield (due to flat nipples or engorgement) I would suggest using them only at the beginning of a feeding. If she can nurse the baby for a few minutes on the shield and get some milk into the baby's belly (and reduce the amount of milk in her breast) then she can try slipping the shield off and latching the baby on directly. Also she can try latching the baby directly onto the breast when the baby is sleepy. the most important thing to remember is that breast shields area a temporary solution not a long term one. Good luck!
2007-05-02 17:53:29 · answer #1 · answered by Alyssa T 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I used these and they worked great for me too. I was recommended to use them after a lactation consultant in the hospital told me about them. She did work with me for a day or two.
I would think you would need a lactation consultant once or twice to show you how to use them and some other tips, etc. Other things I can think of they might help you with: make sure the baby is latching on correctly, make sure you have the right size for mother and baby, to teach proper methods and also proper cleaning methods.
One thing the lactation consultant taught me is to put a few drops of my milk on the outer part of the shield before putting on me to help it stick before the baby latches on.
Obviously, proper hygiene is important before and after of the shield. Wash and let is air dry on a paper towel. Then put it in an air tight container. I bought several sets so I would always have a clean, dry pair.
Even though your baby is doing fine with the breast shield, it might not hurt to call your hospital's lactation team, they maybe able to talk to you over the phone or come to your house. For example, maybe she may have to small of size, which won't effect latching on, but other things, like in time, soreness, etc. Just a thought, never hurts to have too much information.
I'm glad everything is going fine so far. Tell your wife good luck on the the breast feeding. Congrats to both of you on your new arrival!
2007-05-02 18:08:28 · answer #2 · answered by The_Juniper_Tree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
La Leche League is another resource to use in addition to lactation consultants. To wean off the breast shield, one technique is to cut a little bit off at a time to allow the baby to get used to latching directly on the nipple. Just make sure you are trimming from the nipple end, not the back.
2007-05-02 20:22:40 · answer #3 · answered by n2mama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After stuggling with feeding my son for the first few days of his life, the lactation consultant gave me a breastshield. It worked splendidly, and she advised to use it for a good month before trying to wean to straight breast. I thought that was a long time, but it worked out fine.
The only thing I would say it to make sure you wash it after every use, not just rinse. And, use it for a good month. It gives your baby time to get used to being at the breast and being comfortable with it. After that, try putting the baby straight to the breast. If the baby doesn't latch, let him/her have the shield again, but keep trying. It was absolute heaven for me when my son finally latched to ME!
Also, I'd have her go to a consultant just to check with her and see what she has to say. There should be one at the hospital she can visit for free.
Good luck, and congratulations!
2007-05-02 18:01:32 · answer #4 · answered by Margie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i used it when i was having difficulty in the first week of breastfeeding i was advised that some babys become dependent on these so it should only be there to help and try for no more than two weeks. after my son would latch on with the sheild and then would pull his head back i would just let him latch onto the nipple. this worked great and we were dont with the sheild in a week! also with the sheild she should also be pumping to ensure milk supply. if she was shown how to use it the first time with a consultant i would disregard the package statement.
2007-05-03 05:04:10 · answer #5 · answered by Jalaina D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can buy them in a store without "permission" then you don't need a lactation consultant. I had a nurse come see me when I was using my breast shields and she said they were a good idea since I was bleeding from bad latches (I bought them without her recommending them). I eventually stopped using them (used the about 4 weeks) and Oceana never knew the difference.
2007-05-02 17:52:42 · answer #6 · answered by sammy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hooray for all of you! If the nipple is in the shield, your wife does not feel pain and baby is happy...rock on! So long as baby is nursing happily and seems contented at the end of the feeding, your wife is a champ. If you are using reusable shields, just make sure that you are following the instructions for cleanliness and whatever sterilization method they recommend. No one wants to really reveal to new moms that it does kind of hurt in the very, very beginning but it truly does get easier and easier and is WAY cheaper than formula (and proven healthier!). Good luck to all of you.
2007-05-02 17:54:41 · answer #7 · answered by rasripple 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when my sister had her last baby, the Dr instructed on the proper way to use them. and she brought the baby home and she never had a problem with it. she even said that she wished they had had them when she had her other 2. if the baby get the thrush in his/her mother. that will protect your wife, from getting the rash on her nipples. she can treat him with the medicine and still breastfeed. plus another positive note on the shield is, Dr.'s don't like for you to wash your breast with soap when breastfeeding. because the baby will suck the chemicals in, (maybe that is why the baby likes the shield.) so, now she can wash her nipples and breastfeed in piece.
2007-05-02 18:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by shawn b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used it and develop into constanly getting lectures from the lacation females. regardless of...it worked and develop into the purely way he would latch and devour!! they paintings truly nicely, although through further suction between the guard and your nipple, you may want to do extra harm to the nipple. you want to apply the lanolin cream between feedings or you'll finally end up with cracked bleeding nipples. also, infant has to paintings harder to get the milk (milk is going from breast to sheild, then infant ought to suck it out of the guard) so keep attempting to change infant on to breast once infant has been eating for slightly. The nipples would were "pulled out" with the help of mid feed. (FYI...attempt this without delay earlier babe notices, and your nipples"retract") good luck!!! i recognize it develop right into a saving grace for me!!!!!! :-)
2016-11-24 22:26:16 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The caution about the consultant was probably just for the first time.
2007-05-02 17:50:57 · answer #10 · answered by Alice K 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋