Weaning From Nipple Sheild

[sandangel8599]

My son was born tongue tied and i had to use a nipple sheild so that he was able to bf. Well at 3wks I was able to get it clipped. He is 8wks old now and still wont take the breast. I've tried everything from putting him in the tub with me to trying to switch during feedings and to start out on the breast then having to use the nipple shield. I know he can do it because When i start him out on the breast he gets a god latch a nurses fine for a few mins then lets go and starts screming. I try to put him back on and he wont take it until I finally give up and use the nipple sheild. I even lost it one day thinking that this would be the day because i had no choice since it was a sat evening and I couldn't get a new one until monday even if i wanted to. That ended with me going to the store and buying bottles for all the milk that i had pumped so i could give it to him. He just screamed and wouldn't stop. I really want to wen him off this. I'm tired of washing it all the time and when he lets go it falls off and i have to put it back on and by that point he's crying because he's still hungry. I hate using it and wished i never had started. It just helped out so much when at the time he was always hungry and wasn't getting enough on top of him having jaundice and having to be put under a billi light. Sorry to make this so long. But enough is enough and I just want to be done with the thing. So any suggestions would help i've also been to kelly mom and other sites. And my LC is worthless she never helps and is always in a hurry to get me out of her office. I can't afford to go to another one. I just really need some advice. Some days I want to give up bf all together but I know its the fustration thats talking and not me. :(

[Nipple_nectar]

I weaned from a shield and it is not easy. I used to try every session without it first, I wouldn't give in until she was close to hysterics. It started to work for the second side, she was in such a groove, she didn't care that we didn't have it.

Reading the link about nipple confusion: www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_confusion.html will help you understand the hysterics, it will pass, just hang in there, nursin momma {{{hugs}}}

[Joyto5]

I'm sorry hun. Took my baby sis 6 months before she was finally able to get her little guy to latch without it. He wasn't tongue tied though. She had inverted nipples. All I can say is hang in there and trust yourself and your baby. It will happen one day.

The link Nipple Nectar posted is an excelent read. Good luck! :hug:

[trylyn5]

I had that problem too. My advise is to just keep trying. I know it's a pain but if it keeps him breastfeeding that's a good thing.

[kohlby]

My son wasn't ready to get off the shield at all until around 2 months - and then only for super short times and not every nursing session. I've read to start without the shield so they're more hungry and will work harder. Then put the shield on part-way through if they're struggling. However, the opposite worked for my son. I started with it on and then took it off partway through. At the start, I only took it off once a day since it would get him so frustrated. Then I was able to take it off earlier and earlier. By 3 months, he could start without the shield.

My son went on to have major problems eating solids and a speech delay. I had to teach him to swallow voluntarily for solids. And at 5 years old, finally taught him how to spit. Looking back, I realize he did really need the shield. And since he weaned a month shy of 5 years, it definately worth using it for 3 months! At the time, I felt like a failure since that's the only way I could feed him and I felt like I should be able to feed him without. Now I realize that anyway you can breastfeed your baby is a good way!