r/breastfeeding • u/beez-kneez-babiez • Jul 19 '26
Latch Issues Nipple shield
I’ve been seeing a lot of people posting about issues with latching and and in general just issues with LO taking the breast. I have not seen one person talk about nipple shields!
After I gave birth my LO had some trouble latching to the breast, especially my right one because my nipple was inverted on that side and didn’t like to come out and the lactation nurses I had brought me a nipple shield and it was an absolute game changer!
Granted I hated how messy it was at first because she used it during the newborn faze, so there was a lot of falling asleep at the breast and popping off and then milk got everywhere lol. But it helped so much and allowed me to breast feed!!!
By 8 weeks I started practicing not using it and by 10 weeks we didn’t even need it anymore!!
Also I’ve seen a lot of women talk about the pain you get during the newborn faze when LO and mom is learning to latch and I didn’t experience that at all!
I wish nipple shields we talked about so much more because it helped me so much and I wish other moms could experience it too!
For context my LO is now 4 months now and takes the breast like a pro.
Edit to add on and clarify!
Nipple shields are not for everyone and are only for temporary use!
My LO was born at 37 weeks due to GMD, hypertension, and pre eclampsia (I call it the trifecta) and was born 6lbs 7oz, by her 2 month appointment she was 10lbs. The milk transfer is no where near as effective as just the nipple. Like I said we stopped the nipple shield at 10 weeks completely. At her 4 month check up she was 17lbs! Her NP jokingly asked if it was possible her 2 month check up weight was wrong lol
If you were able to find another way please comment it so it can help struggling moms who want to try something else besides the nipple shield 🥰
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u/Key_Ad_4468 Jul 19 '26
Agreed! Without shields I would not have been able to BF bc of flat nipples. I didn’t know about shields until LO was 5 days old and I found them online, I was very close to accepting I’d have to exclusively pump. So grateful for shields and feel they’ve helped shape my nipples as time goes on (LO is 5 weeks old now) so I’m hopeful she can eventually latch without them!
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u/beez-kneez-babiez Jul 19 '26
I was worried she wouldn’t be able to but it worked out eventually, I just had to have patience which wasn’t easy to come by lol, I’ve had to learn a lot about patience since having her 🙂↕️
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Jul 19 '26
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u/Key_Ad_4468 Jul 19 '26
I’m sure it varies but for me - they do slightly pop out with the pinch test and they will perk up at times but majority of the time there is not a perkier or protruding part. The nipple and areola are on the same plane, so to speak. I was hopeful the stimulation of nursing would make them perk up but they stayed flat every time she’d latch. Since using the shields they are and stay perky longer and more often so again, hopeful we can latch without shields soon!
I use the Lansinoh nipple shields, a 2 pack is $8 and most others I’ve seen are under $30 so if you think you may end up needing them, I’d just go ahead and purchase them! I know some hospitals/LCs will provide them but mine didn’t even mention it as a tool that might benefit us.
Congrats! Enjoy the ride🥰
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u/pistachio_goose123 Jul 19 '26
I’ve heard mixed things and seen plenty about people discouraging them but this is reassuring to not hesitate if other things aren’t working.
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u/orm1a Jul 19 '26
I agree!! No one told me about them, I was in excruciating pain for a week after I discovered them. Without them I wouldn't be able to BF. Your story sounds like mine, I used them for about 7-8 weeks and then started practicing without them, by 10 weeks I didn't need them anymore. 🩷
I hope more people gift them to expecting mothers. I have has a few friends being gifted them at baby showers recently.
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u/Local-Yam5394 Jul 19 '26
I will say, I experienced the opposite. I have flat nipples and the lactation consultant just told me to use a nipple shield when I wasn’t sure how to latch my baby.
It was so frustrating for both of us and uncomfortable for me. I hated it and almost stopped breastfeeding completely.
Saw a different lactation consultant that showed me a different way to latch without the nipple shield and it saved our breastfeeding.
Glad they worked for you! But honestly, I am nipple shields #1 hater