Weaning My 3 Month Old from a Nipple Shield

I too had the same problem and finally got tired of using the nipple shield. My son was younger, probably around 6 weeks or so when I tried to stop using it. He knew what to do b/c of his instincts but I had a tough time with the way he was sucking and latching on without it. It was a whole other set of problems for me...mostly just painful. It just took me a long time and a lot of practice to finally get it down. I've had to use the football hold on him (it's been the best way for me). I also continued to see lactation consultants and insist that we don't use the nipple shield. I can finally say that we breastfeed just fine now! Good luck. And just always try to get him to latch on deep.

HI B.,

Some women have success starting a feeding with the shield then when babe pulls off for a moment, mom removes the shield and babe latches again to continue. It's best to try when you're feeling really calm. Good luck,
K.

Breanne I am so happy you are trying out the website. Hope you get lots of helpful advice. Love ya

I had an inverted nipple when I was first trying to nurse my son. He also would refuse to latch on and get very frustrated. I would use my pump before I started nursing to pull my nipple out and then have him latch on. This also was more successful if he wasn't overly hungry. I would start him on the other side and then move him over. No you're not spinning your wheels-the long term benefits will outshine this momentary speed bump. Good luck!

i totally understand what you are going thru---both my babies had problems keeping their latch. unfortunately, as hard as i tried to wean them, they wouldnt wean from the nipple shield and i always ended up nursing them for crazy-long amount of time, both the baby and i very frustrated and covered in sticky breastmilk. its a pain in the arse to nurse with the shield and remember to take it with you etc, but for me i would rather breastfeed with the shield then not breastfeed my babies at all--so i did and i just keep a few around in case i lose one.
Dont give up yet tho, try a bit longer and make an appointment to go see a lactation specialist---they are very pro-nursing (obviously) and can show you the right techniques to try and use on baby. i always felt very encouraged and inspired after meeting with them. you can do it--either way!!

I was also given a nipple shield in the hospital by a well-meaning nurse, but found out later by a lactation consultant that I didn't really need it. It was hard to wean my 4 week old son off it! In the end I did what La Leche League calls a 'nursing vacation' and went to bed with my baby for 24 hours. Skin on skin, always being available for him to drink whenever he wanted, just resting with him the whole time. My nipples hurt like crazy with his poor latch on and no nipple shield, however this was what successfully got my son off using the shield. LLL has information on their site about nursing vacations.

Great work! Keep it up! Do not stop nursing just because of this. Nipple shields should only be used short term, or, as you found out, babies become accustomed to them. Your daughter is now accustomed to the feel of rubber rather than the feel of you. Use a pump before nursing to draw your nipples out. There will be some frustration at first, but work through it. Babies are survivors. Your daughter will not let herself starve. If the shield is not an option, your baby will eventually nurse without it. You both just need practice. If the pump doesn't work, I like the "24 hours together" plan. The LLL knows it's stuff!

I did many of the same things already advised here!!! I also found a small device that created suction (smiliar to a pump) to "pull out" my nipple. I found it at Babies R Us where all the breast feeding supplies are. Sorry I don't remember what it is exactly called, it's small about the length of a lipstick but a little wider. Great to bring out and about!

Good luck, keep trying, it can happen!!

If you are in the CA area. There is a Breast feeding clinic Called Healthy Beginnings. The nurses there are wonderful. They know all the tricks of the trade. Healthy beginnings is in Upland CA. Good luck!

I'm surprised that the lactation consultant didn't tell you to wean her off it earlier. I used a nipple shield for breastfeeding all three of my children but only for the first week or so while they were getting the hang of nursing and then I took about a week to wean them off of it. The lactation consultants that I worked with said to do that so that the baby wouldn't get attached to it. I guess it would be like anything else though you just have to keep at it and do it a little bit at a time. Since your daughter knows that she gets food from you and can smell it she should eventually work for it and once she actually gets some without the nipple shield she will realize that she can do it.

You can pull on your nipple and twist them a bit to lengthen them and stretch them. A friend called this the "ouchie pullie technique"...but it worked for her.

my sister was/is going through the same thing with her 3 month old son. it will just take time and dedication. start the feeding with the shield in place, and mid way thru- remove the shield and see how she does. you might also try to nurse when the baby isn't starving-- she might have a little more patience with your breast if she isn't frantic for food.

My sister worked at this for a couple of months, and she just phoned me the other day and told me of her success-- the entire day without the shield!! Just keep offering your breast (without shield) at every feeding- and sooner or later, she will become used to it.

Don't get frustrated, because at least you have had success breastfeeding. I know so many moms who gave up all together because they had such a hard time. This may not be optimal, but you ARE breastfeeding- so AMEN to that! :)
Good luck and be patient!!

I had a premature little girl and had to use the shield until she could nurse on my bare breast. The best time to try is the middle of the night feedings, I'm not sure why but it was suggested to me by the lactation nurse and it worked after about 3 nights of trying. Good luck. D.

Dear B.:

I used a nipple shield with my daughter. I used it for as long as I needed, probably 4 months. Using a breast pump also helps to draw your nipples out. I wish I had used on sooner! You can pump milk, freeze it and use it for later. Just keep on trying and eventually the transition will happen! Don't give up! I just said one day, "Okay. Here we go. We are going to get this!" And by working together, with my patient little girl, we did it! Talk to you daughter and tell her what you are doing and that together you are going to figure it out!

I breast feed for 18 months and have a happy, healthy, beautiful little girl!

Good luck!

Andrea

Keep breastfeeding, great job on doing THE BEST thing ever for your child. Your milk is made for YOUR child. No, you're not just 'spinning your wheels,' but what they didn't tell you was that the nipple shield should have only been used for 2 days. NOw your baby is used to it so it will take some frustration to get her used to you. Go to your nearest lactation nurse either at the hostpital, look up a nearby Le Leche League International meeting, there website is great too. Your baby will cry and you will too, but you can do it. Just offer the breast only for a couple days even if she fusses, just keep offering she'll get it.

I had one too for about the first 10 weeks... and one day a friend said "aren't you worried about weaning her off that?" and honestly I was so happy to be successfully nursing that it never crossed my mind!

Anyways, they are a hassle... have you tried warm water? It helps is "seal" better.

I was ok using it and then one day while getting ready to put it on, my daughter just latched on without it. We never used it again!

Try laying with her in bed topless but without the shield... I bet she will squirm to you and try without... make it more relaxed rather than when she is hungry.

Worst case you nurse with it... but as she gets to be a better feeder (which they do), she may not need it anymore.

I nursed with a nipple shield until my daughter was 5 months. One day I just decided to try it and it worked. I noticed that my nipples are now not as flat and I think all the nursing and pumping helped to pull them out. She has been nursing shield free since 5 months and it is sooooo much nicer. I would maybe try pumping first becuase it will pull out your nipple and she might be more inclined to latch on, or rub them or put ice on them. Or maybe she just needs to be a little older and she will figure it out. Good luck and there is hope at the end of the tunnel.

Hi
I made the transition with my first child. I would let him start each nursing session with the shield on, and when he stoped for a second I would slip it off, and see if he could become attached.
Good luck

I would try to have her nurse on your bare breast when she is really hungry...that way she will try harder. But don't let her get to frustrated, because that may cause her not to do it at all.
Good luck!

B.,
I had the same problem. My son would get very frustrated because he couldn't latch on. I ended up using the nipple shield for 6 weeks. To wean my son off of it, I would put it on for the start of the feeding to pull my nipples out, and then I would slip it off and get him right back on. If he got super upset (as he did at first), I would put the shield back on, but after a week, I had him weaned from the shield. Eventually, my nipples permanently stayed out enough for him to be able to get on. Breastfeeding has been 10x easier with my second because of this. Stick with it, and you'll be able to do it! It's so much more convenient not to have to use it. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

YES! I have two boys (two years apart), both who breastfed for the first year of life ... I had to use a nipple shield to start due to my inverted nipples and was successful in removing the shield around the three month mark. I remember it being frustrating for each of them, but was determined not to rely on the shield for the entire nursing year. When weaning, I had to allow the baby to start on the shield, then half way (or less) through the feeding, I would pull the shield away. It took a while (I don't remember exactly how long - weeks) for the whole process to transition, but it was worth it! The shield was more painful for me than without, so that's why I'm glad I didn't give up on pulling it. Stick with it! Your little one will catch on, even if it takes a while. I'm currently pregnant with my third and anticipating the same process of nursing with this one, so I'm there with you on this one. Good luck -- and GOOD for you and your baby for being dedicated to breastfeeding!!!!!!!!!

B.,

You Rock! You can do it - just keep trying every single nursing session. Your baby will get it without the shield, it will just take practice for both of you.

I breastfeed too, and I SO ADMIRE you for sticking with it despite some challenges - it is hard enough when everything goes smooth - you are obviously an excellent mother!

God bless and just KNOW that you both can do this!!!

E.