I would really like to say Amen to what Jan has stated below. Nipple shields are not the enemy but they must be placed on and used properly and there has to be followup, follow up and more followup to reinforce good attachment. But remember that they are but a tool just like any other tool that is used to promote and keep intact the breastfeeding relationship. Included in the protocol should be all things related to how supply should be kept up by expressing,if there is less stimulation or reduced stimulation, proper placement as well as FOLLOW UP!
I have heard from too many moms who were told never to use a nipple shield and than go on to use formula or just pumping and the dyad does not get the full benefit of the why breastfeeding is important.
I too have seen colostrum in the shield as well as in the baby’s mouth on day two when a shield was used. Not at all a first choice action. I would much rather look at the need to reassess what happens at the first latch and was the baby give the time to self imprint on the nipple God gave him to use, without assistance. If this becomes the first priority we may not have to move on to nipple shields as often as they are used. Babies have instincts, why is there not the time and patience to allow babies to remain with mom until that first self latch occurs? Too many times there are too many excuses about babies needing to go to the nursery for too many reasons. And too many hands are used with that first latch and they are not the babies hands of discovery.
I feel that we are judged to be bad IBCLCs for using shields in our practice and believe me I have been told by others that they cannot refer to me because of that practice. I thought we were all in this for the sake of our little and bigger clients not for our own egos and how we run our practice. Let us all do the best we can and work to support breastfeeding in the best way we know how.
OK I have said enough and on that note
I will wish everyone everywhere a very Joy Filled Christmas and a Healthy New Year
Attie Sandink
Burlington Ontario
> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:04:32 -0500
> From: Jan Barger <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Nipple shields...
>
> Lots and lots of debate on nipple shields going on here. I want to bring
> up two points...
>
> The first is that in all the posts I've read, I don't remember reading a
> single one about making sure the mother knows how to put the shield on
> correctly. Many moms that have been given a shield in the hospital or they
> bought it at Target or whatever don't know how to stretch it, turn it nearly
> inside out and smooth it over the nipple/areolar complext to make sure it is
> fitting snugly and well. I can't tell you how many moms come to me with a
> shield -- I always ask to see how the baby does on the shield so I can watch
> her put it on. Some do it correctly -- others just pop it on the breast
> and there is leakage, the baby doesn't get on well, and doesn't transfer
> well. That to me is one of the most concerning things about using shields.
> Perhaps all of you are assuming that all mothers are taught this -- no, they
> aren't. And it is imperative whether she is getting a shield 2 days or 2
> weeks out.
>
> Number two -- I would love to know where the idea came from that
> "colostrum can't be transferred thru a shield." Trish Shamblin, among many others,
> just pointed that there is no research showing it can be. I would maintain
> that there is no research showing it can't be.
>
> Just for fun, I got out a new Medela shield and poured honey into the teat
> portion...honey a friend gave us from good old Wheaton bees. I didn't
> touch the shield to squeeze it -- and that honey just leaked right on out thru
> the holes in the shield. Colostrum is not as thick as honey -- and I can
> only imagine that if the baby is suckling at all, they will get whatever
> mama has in her breasts.
>
> True, that was not a scientific experiment, but I do think we need to lay
> to rest the notion that babies can't get colostrum thru a shield --
> especially when we have to be careful to apply the shield well.
>
> Please don't jump all over me about the use of shields in the hospital in
> general -- these are simply my observations about what is being talked
> about on this thread....
>
> When you are writing shield policies for wherever/whoever you are writing
> them for, make sure you include in the policies HOW to put the shield on....
>
> Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, FILCA
> Wheaton IL
> _www.lactationeducationconsultants.com_
> (http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com)
>
>
>
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