Is 9 weeks too late to teach my girl how to breastfeed without a nipple shield?

Question

She's been 70/30 nursing and getting breastmilk in bottles, but I've had to use a nipple shield ever since because she wouldn't latch without it. The last few days she's latched on ok but only for a few minutes. I don't think she gets enough from me when she nurses, so hoping it's not too late to teach her to latch without!

Answer

My 11 week old would only use the nipple shield and bottle until just a few days ago when the shield fell off. I put my nipple in his mouth, just to see if he could latch, and he's been doing without it for 3 days now!! I thought that he'd never get the hang of it!! I've read that once they're older, they nurse more efficiently! I would try attempting without it at least once a week! Good luck!

Answer

The shield can cause supply issues. Latch her often without it and I bet your supply would be just fine. If you're able to pump and get enough, you should have plenty when you nurse. She just may need work harder at the breast depending on what flow the bottle nipple is at or she could have a slight bottle preference. It won't hurt to try! Good luck :)

Answer

She can do. It will be hard because nipple shields and bottles make them lazy eaters. When they feed from the nipple they have to work for it. Just offer the nipple first and let her get use to the taste of your skin. She will cry and fight so if she doesn't latch put the shield back on. Also try expressing a little milk and rubbing it on your nipple so she can taste it. You can also start out with the nipple shield un latch her pull it off real quick and stick her back on the nipple as fast as you can. You can do it will just take a little time.

Answer

My baby is 9 weeks and I just stopped!! The lactation consultant told me I needed one because my nipples are flat, so since then I used once every day, two days ago the shield was dirty so I just decided to try it with out and my little man latched like a pro! No problem what so ever, wish I would have just started without it to begin with

Answer

10 weeks old and still using nipple sheild, she can nurse without it but her latch is terrible and hurts! I don't know how to improve it :/

Answer

My son couldn't latch at all until 9 weeks. He would just get really frustrated before so I pumped and gave him a bottle. (A Haberman bottle). We kept trying and he's 11 weeks now and latches as if he always has been. No problems at all.

Answer

My little guy and I have started around 8 weeks and now we are 50/50 without. I started pulling the shield off towards the end of the feeding when he was relaxed and not too hungry which worked well for us. I just keep pulling it off sooner and sooner within the feeding I imagine we will be completely off of the shield in a week or so. Good luck!

Is 9 weeks too late to teach my girl how to breastfeed without a nipple shield?

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