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If you’re experiencing painful breastfeeding, latching difficulties, or have flat or inverted nipples, this nipple shield tutorial explains how to use them effectively as a temporary tool to help your baby latch and make feeding more comfortable.
It’s important to seek a consultation with a lactation consultant if pain persists or shields are needed, to discover the underlying reasons why your baby may be struggling to latch well independently.
What is a Nipple Shield?
Nipple shields are a thin silicone teat worn over the nipple during feeding.
How do nipple shields work?
Nipple shields help babies to attach to the breast and maintain a deeper attachment.
What can nipple shields help with?
– challenges staying latched on
– non-latching baby
– shallow latch
– sore or damaged nipples
– tongue tie or oral dysfunction
– prematurity
– transition from bottle to breast
Sometimes, nipple shields can negatively impact feeding so it is important to find the right kind of support.
* Reduced milk transfer to the baby, and low/slow weight gain
* Potential for reduced breast stimulation and milk supply.
* Interference with correct attachment, leading to issues like blocked ducts and mastitis.
* Challenges in weaning from the shield.
* Possible loss of confidence in direct breastfeeding
Feeding with nipple shields
Seek skilled breastfeeding support; consult your local Lactation Consultant or breastfeeding counsellor for a plan to support you. It is important to do this so you can avoid some of the challenges noted above whilst using nipple shields.
Where to Buy: Nipple shields are available in stores and online. They may be sold individually or in pairs, with varying shapes and sizes from a variety of brands.
Choosing the Right Size: Measure nipple according to manufacturers instructions (commonly found on their website), and select a small, medium, or large size according to this guide. You may find each breast needs a different size nipple shield.
Cleaning and storing nipple shields: Clean and sterilize nipple shields before first use. After each use, wash with hot soapy water, rinse, dry thoroughly, and store in a clean, dry container.
How to fit the Nipple Shield:
See the following video on how to put a nipple shield on.
How to feed your baby with a Nipple Shield:
Here is a video on how to put baby to the breast with a nipple shield on.
You’re ready to transition away from shields, great! Here are a few things to consider:
* Try latching baby without a shield from the start or remove it partway through a feed.
* Be consistent and patient; try when the baby is less hungry or sleepy.
* Some babies may need only one or two sessions practice without shields, while others may need to use longer term whilst problems are resolved to enable latching on the breast is optimum.
* Sometimes as baby learns new skills. They will latch without the shield for a short while but then want the shield back. This is fine and may be part of the transition away from shields for some babies.
* It is not advised to cut down a shield for weaning, please avoid this method.
Book an appointment or schedule a free 10-minute call to discover how The Baby Element Clinic can support you and your family. Take the next step in your journey of parenthood today.
