Nipple Shield
Having latch-on dilemma early on is considered to be very common. For nursing mothers, knowing appropriate ways of breastfeeding takes time. Mothers often need assistance from helpers in order to let them understand the right breastfeeding method.
For stubborn latch-on dilemmas that are consistent, experts advise nursing mothers to use nipple shield. Medela shield is made from soft and thin silicone that does not affect nipple stimulation when breastfeeding. This nipple shield has a tip with a hole that enables the flow of milk to the infant. Using nipple shield aids breastfeeding protection at the time when:
The infant is small, ill, or premature. Using nipple shield can make breastfeeding of a weak or small baby easier. Since the nipple is held by the suction within nipple shield, the infant will not lose the nipple even when pausing during breastfeeding. The milk is collected on the shield’s tip offers instant reward when an infant continues to suck. According to research, there is an increase on intake of milk among babies when mothers use nipple shield. When a baby starts to mature and gain weight, the use of shield can be stopped.
The nipples of the mother are inverted or flat. The nipple tissue of new mothers is not stretchable. When a baby is having difficulty in drawing the nipple of the mother it might result to crying, pulling away, or falling asleep. With the Medela, the infant’s mouth receives a sensation stimulating continuous sucking. When the milk starts flowing, the infant finds out that it is working. As time passes, the nipples will be more adaptable then the shield no longer needs to provoke sucking reflex.
An infant has plenty of bottles and no longer wants the breast. Nipple shield has the feel that resembles the bottle nipple, which can persuade the unwilling infant to receive the breast. This technique can be applied when there is fullness of breast but the infant is not too hungry. When doing this, the shield’s top should be dripped with a small amount of expressed milk in order to dampen it. As a reward for the baby’s effort, milk may be dripped on the edge of the infant’s mouth. When the supply of milk is low, it will be enhanced by the SNS™, which is taped at the shield’s bottom. Some babies require few sessions only before they can go back to breastfeeding in full while the others require a lot of practice or short term use of shields beginning each feed. As the infant begins to be comfortable with feeding, bottle use can be discontinued or decreased.
When Nipple Shield is being used:
Proper latch when nursing is important. Proper latch is necessary when shield is applied during nursing. For the correct latch, the infant’s jaws should not be out of the shield’s shaft , instead it should be close to the mother’s breast. When the infant is just sucking the nipple, the flow of milk is pinched off and stimulation of milk supply will fail. As a result, not enough quantity of milk is received by the infant, thus growth development is affected. To achieve good latch on, consulting an experienced Breastfeeding Specialist should be done.
Cleanliness of Nipple Shield is important.
Keeping nipple shield sterile at all times is very important. Clean the shield in a hot water mixed with soap then rinse after every use using hot water as well. Boil the shield once regularly.
Choosing the correct size of Nipple Shield is important.
The nipple shield’s size should fit the infant’s mouth. Choosing a shield that is very big will not allow the infant to correctly draw the nipple of the mother or this might result to gagging on nipple shield. For infants who are small, Newborn Small-sized shield is ideal to use. Medela offers wide varieties of shields such as Contact™ Nipple Shield that comes in two size types; Newborn Small and Newborn Regular.
Protecting milk supply is important.
Supply of milk depends on the quantity of milk that the infant takes. The supply of milk is not stimulated well when the infant is poorly sucking, is weak, or small. When using nipple shield, mothers should pump after they finish nursing to ensure that their breasts are emptied well. The milk that has been pumped out can serve as supplement for the infant. Pumping after nursing is essential until the supply of milk becomes reliable and there is growth development observed in the infant. We advise using the hospital quality breast pump like the rented Lactina® or Symphony®.
Shields are ideal for feeding infants who do not normally breastfeed. The Medela, Inc. advises all mothers to consult trained individuals, physicians, or lactation consultants when using nipple shield to nurse their babies. The weight of the baby must be checked often to ensure good health and growth development.
Helpful Tips:
The shield’s brim should sit on a mother’s nipple in a turned up manner resembling a hat. The edges should then be smoothened down. By doing this, the shield will stick well. Dampening the shield’s edges will keep it secured. There are mothers with nipples that are larger than what the small nipple shield can hold. In this case, the next biggest size should be used. But mothers should observe if the shield size they have chosen works well for the infant. Using shield to deal with nursing problems will not work all the time thus opting for other available equipment that are more appropriate should be considered.
Weaning the Baby from Nipple Shields:
Shield is one nursing equipment that can aid in solving particular latch dilemmas. However it does not serve as replacement for accomplished assistance of breastfeeding. If ever you are one of the mothers who use nipple shield when nursing, regular consultation with your physician or lactation professional to assist you in an effective and comfortable breastfeeding is advised. Remember that your aim is to go back to breastfeeding without the use of special devices. When the ability of the infant to breastfeed starts to improve, you can try removing the shield as much as possible when you breastfeed. When the infant is having difficulty without the use of shield, the dilemma has not been resolved yet and you should continue practicing. As the infant grows, the use of shield will no longer be a big problem. If infants are already able to manage with no shield, some of the mothers try to spend time with their infants in bed. Spending more time with your baby and practicing frequently will make the baby feel that there is no more need for nipple shield. Cutting the silicone tip is not recommended because the edges might cause irritation to the infant’s mouth.