 I typically find it to take clients anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks to wean off a nipple shield from the time they begin working on it. An important first step is identifying why your baby is using a nipple shield to begin with.
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The first example above has no cut out, it is a complete circle. The second is a contact shield, it has a cut away. This is a nice feature that helps to keep a skin-to-skin connection between you and your baby when using a shield. They also tend to fit onto the breast better. The last two are similar to the second, but they have different shapes to their nipples.
A new nipple shield to hit the market a few years ago has a bottle nipple shape on top of it. Though it has in fact been the right tool for the job somewhere, sometime, it is not my first choice if a baby is able to latch onto one of the more standard options. I have personally witnessed it lower some client's supply when not used in conjunction with expression such as pumping after feedings while using it.
A new nipple shield to hit the market a few years ago has a bottle nipple shape on top of it. Though it has in fact been the right tool for the job somewhere, sometime, it is not my first choice if a baby is able to latch onto one of the more standard options. I have personally witnessed it lower some client's supply when not used in conjunction with expression such as pumping after feedings while using it.
So if you've been using a nipple shield now, or you have in the past, you probably know how much trouble they can be to keep track of, keep clean, keep on, and just manage overall. So let's explore some ideas about weaning off of using them.
It can be quite the dance to drop the nipple shield. There may be several good feedings without the shield in a row, only for baby to regress and want to use the shield again. Over time though these periods of better attachment will become more frequent until they are the new norm.
I typically find it to take clients anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks to wean off a nipple shield from the time they begin working on it. An important first step is identifying why your baby is using a nipple shield to begin with.
It can be quite the dance to drop the nipple shield. There may be several good feedings without the shield in a row, only for baby to regress and want to use the shield again. Over time though these periods of better attachment will become more frequent until they are the new norm.
I typically find it to take clients anywhere between 2 and 4 weeks to wean off a nipple shield from the time they begin working on it. An important first step is identifying why your baby is using a nipple shield to begin with.
Babies generally want to breastfeed, the inability to do so is often just that, that they are unable to. Through further investigation such as an oral exam to assess form and function inside of the mouth, and a latch assessment of feeding at the breast you can uncover and address the root cause of the issue. It may be something as simple as making some improvements in your hands/holding and latching techniques, or it could have more to do with the baby's oral function or anatomy. A skilled International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is a great asset to aid in your investigation and work alongside in your journey.
7 TIPS FOR WEANING
FROM A NIPPLE SHIELD
FROM A NIPPLE SHIELD
- Work with an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant either virtually or in person to evaluate and assess why your baby is using a nipple shield to begin with. Even virtual assessments can prove to be extremely helpful in assessing and evaluating breastfeeding and your baby.
- Choose a shape and size nipple shield that fits your breast well, your baby can comfortably latch onto, and your baby can transfer milk with. Go for a cherry or bell shape with a gradual slope, vs one that looks like a triangle.
- Turn your shield slightly inside out when applying it to your breast and rolling it back onto your areola so that it is not easily knocked off at the beginning of a feeding. It is also helpful to "tack" the top of your shield down using your fingers. Scoop your baby up in a cross cradle position with your opposite hand and bring the baby to your breast pointing the shield to the roof of your baby's mouth.
- Try taking the shield off during let down and quickly latching your baby back on. If they get upset or cannot, put the shield back on and try again at another feeding.
- If you are using a cone shaped shield like a Medela, try sizing up your nipple shield to a 21-24mm if you are using a smaller shield and then repeating step 4. If you are using a cherry shaped shield or one like a Lansinoh shape, try sizing as close to your nipple measurement as you can get.
- Continue pumping to support your supply and/or supplementing if you have been to keep you baby on their growth curve. Through Step 1 - working with an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, your can assess your baby's transfer of milk at a feeding to ensure their efficiency at the breast is sufficient and they are ready for more changes.
- Continue weekly weight checks with your lactation consultant until you feel confident in your milk supply and baby's growth curve.
If you are searching for a virtual lactation consultant to talk you through weaning from your nipple shield I would be honored to assist you!
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Attend A Breastfeeding ClassIf there is one piece of wisdom I can pass on to new parents, don't wait until after your baby is born to learn about breastfeeding! After your baby is here you will likely be on an adrenaline high, and eventually an adrenaline crash.
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Immediately postpartum is not the best time to be learning new information, you may have more difficulty processing it due to the nature and whirlwind of the post-birth bustle. By taking a prenatal breastfeeding class in-person or online, you will be more familiar with your baby's feeding cues and ready to tackle that first latch on day one with confidence.
Protect The Golden Hour
The golden hour is the first hour immediately following your baby's birth. This is a time where your baby should be left undisturbed on your body skin-to-skin until after the first feeding has finished. By protecting this time, you increase your chances of being available when your baby first starts to show feeding cues. You can help them navigate to the breast quickly and efficiently, avoiding excess crying or escalating to a point that they need to calm down.
If you have a surgical birth, your provider may be open to beginning skin-to-skin in the operating room if you and baby are doing well. If not, when you return to your recovery room plan to get comfy and snuggle in together for your oh so sweet golden hour and give your baby a chance to root around and find the breast.
If you have a surgical birth, your provider may be open to beginning skin-to-skin in the operating room if you and baby are doing well. If not, when you return to your recovery room plan to get comfy and snuggle in together for your oh so sweet golden hour and give your baby a chance to root around and find the breast.
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Meet Your IBCLCMany families will first meet a lactation consultant postpartum, usually at the hospital or birth center after their baby is born. However, you can visit with one prenatally and meet them before birth too! Often covered by insurance, a one-on-one consult with a board-certified lactation consultant will be helpful to gather information about latch and positioning, best practices for using your pump, how to size your flanges, and best of all knowing who, when, and how to call for support postpartum.
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If you haven't had an opportunity to meet your lactation consultant prenatally, plan to schedule your first consult by 3 and 5 days postpartum. Clients working with a lactation consultant in the first week of life are far more likely to see their baby regain their birth weight by the two week time frame.
Watch The Baby Not The Clock
How long should you feed your baby? Ten minutes? Fifteen? Thirty?
You will begin to notice two types of suck patterns when your baby is nursing. A nutritive suck is an active suck that leads to milk removal and calorie intake. When looking for this type of suck pattern observe your baby's chin, it should be pumping and driving the let down. Often the temple is seen pulsing, and active drinking noises can be heard such as a "kaw" when baby is swallowing (after the first 3-5 days).
The non-nutritive suck pattern is one that is usually observed when baby is falling or has fallen asleep at the breast. This pattern is more relaxed through the jaw with the movement often feeling like a quivering vs a pulling, like in a nutritive sucking pattern. During this time is when you may be able to unlatch your baby and lay them down for a bit, as they are in a deeper stage of sleep.
If your newborn slows down their nutritive sucking pattern to a non-nutritive one, try rousing them to drink more by adding in breast massage or compression, tickling their feet, or wiping their forehead with a cool cloth. If your they will not rouse to drink more and are on the first breast, break their latch, take a short break to burp and wake baby a bit, and then offer the other side before they fall too deeply into sleep.
You will begin to notice two types of suck patterns when your baby is nursing. A nutritive suck is an active suck that leads to milk removal and calorie intake. When looking for this type of suck pattern observe your baby's chin, it should be pumping and driving the let down. Often the temple is seen pulsing, and active drinking noises can be heard such as a "kaw" when baby is swallowing (after the first 3-5 days).
The non-nutritive suck pattern is one that is usually observed when baby is falling or has fallen asleep at the breast. This pattern is more relaxed through the jaw with the movement often feeling like a quivering vs a pulling, like in a nutritive sucking pattern. During this time is when you may be able to unlatch your baby and lay them down for a bit, as they are in a deeper stage of sleep.
If your newborn slows down their nutritive sucking pattern to a non-nutritive one, try rousing them to drink more by adding in breast massage or compression, tickling their feet, or wiping their forehead with a cool cloth. If your they will not rouse to drink more and are on the first breast, break their latch, take a short break to burp and wake baby a bit, and then offer the other side before they fall too deeply into sleep.
Feed Yourself, Feed Your BabyAn important part of feeding your baby is feeding yourself. On the most basic level it takes calories to make milk. Approximately 300-500 calories per day, a similar estimate for the body's needs during pregnancy. Fueling yourself will give you the energy for your body to work on healing from birth and establishing your milk supply.
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Are you the main cook in your home? Consider making a meal plan for the first two weeks postpartum during your pregnancy to reduce decision fatigue on your part later. The Instant Pot, freezer meals, meal preparation services, Grub Hub and Postmates can all help you feed yourself while you are busy feeding your baby in those early weeks.
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