I have provided nipple shields (free, no charge - I work in Public Health so there is no financial incentive to sell another piece of equipment) to moms for a variety of reasons.  These moms are followed up until milk production is assessed as appropriate and mothers are able to feed their babies fully at the breast while using the shields with no pumping.  Then moms are instructed to continue using them (by this time pumping is unnecessary as the baby is able to be fully fed at the breast) until they want to stop.  I don't give them the impression (and correct the impression given in the instruction booklet of some shields) that weaning MUST take place QUICKLY or the "world will end"...  Rather I give them support and encourage them to call when/if they have a concern.  

 

They are given various weaning options, depending on the reason the shield was used in the first place, such as: 

 - start the baby at the breast with the shield and remove it during the feeding

 - feed the baby while asleep and not super-hungry without the shield (as if recovering from a nursing strike)

 

Most moms I have seen have stopped using the shield by 10 weeks - but a few have continued throughout their nursing - including one mom who was exclusively breastfeeding on one side with the shield, had a second baby who nursed on both sides - THEN the toddler decided to nurse without the shield.

 

I find that most moms seem to instinctively know when their baby is ready to transition - and when THEY are ready to deal with the stress of the transition.  Often they report NO PROBLEM when the timing is chosen by them instead of by some arbitrary age/timing.

 

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC

Vacaville, CA  


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