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MaryJanowiecki (911.9 days ago)
I had them in the hospital because I had inverted nipples they wouldnt pop out enough so he could latch I used them for 5 wks but they were a little messy because there would be milk in them when i took it off and it would get on my shirt and stuff. I had to teach my son how to feed without them but it was pretty easy!

lovemyfamily (912.6 days ago)
I LOVED them. I don`t think I would have made it very far without them!

MelissaJoanne (912.6 days ago)
re:the last comment. My daughter has NO idea how to use a bottle, so using nip. shields didn`t help her with that. :-p It may feel the same in terms of silicone rather than skin, but it`s a completely different technique for sucking.

nikkipearl (912.6 days ago)
I used them, and if it wasnt for nipple shields I probobly wouldnt have been able to breast feed...i have pretty small nipples and it helped kaleb latch...and within a month we didnt have to use them anymore...and he was also able to take a bottle right away, witch im sure is because it was simalar to the shield...and now if I have to pump a bottle hes fine eating from it as well...

MrsL (912.6 days ago)
Hello, I tried nipple shields my sister in law got them for me at Shoppers drug mart in canada. I found that they did not work for me, they were akward and honestly I just gave up on them and kept BFing, eventually it didn`t hurt anymore but I found myself pumping alot, which i found easier.

onesharpefamily (912.7 days ago)
I had to use them as I have flat/inverted nipples. My dd wasn`t able to latch without them.

jekajoy (912.7 days ago)
If a baby latches correctly, your nipple will not hit their hard palate and therefore shouldn`t hurt. It is a myth that breastfeeding should hurt. There is nothing you can do while pregnant to `toughen` your nipples either, just a myth. I did use a nipple shield since we had a poor latch at first. Please take advantage of the lactation support in your area. Lots of babies do get used to them and won`t nurse without them, which is better than not nursing at all, true. As a lactation counselor, I always try to tell parents, do not watch the clock, watch your baby for cues and do not use pacifiers or bottle nipples until your latch is not painful. Start over as many times as you have to until your latch is right. The baby`s jaw needs to be greater than 90 degrees open and paci/bottle nipples teach them to close their jaw while sucking...which hurts badly on a human nipple trust me on that one!! (major mastitis with DD) The nipple shield saved my nipples until they healed, before I knew all the tricks.

megandgrace (912.7 days ago)
I never used them. Yes the first two weeks were hell on my nipples but you have to remember that it is the process your nipples need to go through to toughin up and they usually get better. After the first two weeks, we had no problems for the entire year. **MelissaJoanne.. i think thats awesome that you found away to make it work and didn`t give up on BF, go you!!!

courtenay (912.7 days ago)
ive never personally used them but i have heard of them helping lots of people.

MelissaJoanne (912.7 days ago)
My baby had a great latch but couldn`t ever find + stay on the nipple, so I used (use) nipple shields. (and as a result of her not nursing properly at first I also had awful blisters all over my breasts - she sucked hard but never in the right spot). Most babies are able to wean off them in a few days or weeks. Mine has NO interest in NOT using a nipple shield, so she`s now nearly 10 months and still uses them. She`s never nursed without them (I`ve tried, it`s not happening). It`s slightly inconvenient, but the alternative seemed to be her not being able to figure out breastfeeding. I`ve never had to supplement, it never hindered my supply, and while I`m hoping my future children don`t need them I`ll still chose nursing with nipple shields over not nursing at all. So yes, I have a lot of experience with them! I use Medela Contact ones, and they come in different sizes to correspond to your nipple size. I`d definitely recommend giving them a try (and like I said, MOST babies don`t end up needing them for the duration of nursing as mine does, so don`t let that deter you.)

bethk (912.7 days ago)
Forgot to say its the nipple shields you BF whilst wearing (has holes in the nipple part) not the ones that just stop ur nipples from rubbin ur clothes etc..Is there a brand ud recommend? x



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