Why not use a nipple shield ?

Question

If latching can be a problem in the beginning or jus painful altogether why not use a nipple shield the entire time you breastfeed ?

Answer

I've heard it's just a pain to clean and reuse every single time, and that babies will prefer to shield over your nipple when it's time to go without it.

Answer

I loved mine and used it for four months.  Not too hard to clean and I kept it in a pacifier holder.

Answer

I used it for 4 months with my first and started using it with my second but after a while he started to get annoyed so I took it off and then he nursed for a total of 14 mos. I had no pain, other than when I had mastitis and no cracking or bleeding. I think it's all on an individual basis.

Answer

I used a nipple shield with my first child - I had inverted nippels and thought I couldn't do it without them. It was still very painful for weeks ... and realy lavishly to take always the nipple shields with me, clean it.... With my second child I didn't use nipple shields. Latching was still painfull for some weeks - but than it was VERY easier to breastfeed without any artificial stuff around. Plus: my lactation was A LOT MORE than with nipple shields.

Answer

I had to use a nipple shield with my first, and it's still painful. But it's only painful for a short time. Once your nipples get use to the feelings they don't hurt anymore. Typically once the baby learns how to latch properly, you can quit using the shield. Unless you have problems with your nipples being flat or inverted. Then you may need to always use a shield. I had flat nipples with my first. This time around I don't foresee it being a problem so I do not plan to use a shield unless I need one.

Why not use a nipple shield ?

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