Hi all!
A few days ago I received an email from an RN of 36 years who had breastfed
4 of her own children wanting to know where to obtain a nipple shield for
her daughter-in-law for treating sore nipples. She had used one many years
ago for the same reason and wanted to provide this for her DIL. Following
is a cut and paste of what transpired between us with the first note my
final reply to her and the last note her initial request. I was
flabbergasted that she would flame (I don't really like that word, but it
seems to apply here) me for offering timely and accurate advice and imply
that I was inaccurate and biased in my response. Oh, well, you can read it
for yourself... I have deleted her name for obvious reasons. Any thoughts??
Thanks for letting me vent a bit!
No name,
As a lactation expert I am under *obligation* to
inform you of the risks and benefits to using ANY
breastfeeding device. The information I shared with
you was not my personal opinion, nor that of a doctor
with no personal breastfeeding experience, but only
that which can be found in the latest and most
accurate professional lactation resources and that
which is the current practice among lactation
professionals. Two of those professional texts
include:
"Breastfeeding and Human Lactation" by Jan Riordan and
Kathleen Auerbach, a well-respected textbook for those
assisting breastfeeding mothers. In fact, the board
exam administered by the International Board of
Lactation Consultant Examiners, which certifies the
lactation consultant, is based upon the information in
this text.
and
"La Leche League's, "The Breastfeeding Answer Book".
also a reference often referred to by lactation
professionals.
In both of these texts and if you speak to those who
routinely counsel nursing mothers, you will find that
there ARE indeed risks associated with nipple shield
use. In EVERY source, it is emphasized that the baby
be monitored for adequate intake and that frequent
weight checks take place. Most hospitals require the
mother to sign a consent form stating that she
understands the risks involved and the precautions she
must take when she is given a nipple shield.
I find it amusing that you, even though you are a
registered nurse, would state with such boldness that
my information is inaccurate and biased when you do
not have experience in the field of lactation - other
than personal experience - nor access, most likely, to
the information I have referred to.
When providing information over the internet, my
professional responsibility is even greater as I do
not have the benfits of actually seeing the patient
for assessment. To have not made you aware of other
alternatives for treatment of sore nipples and ways to
improve the condition (correcting the latch and
positioning of the baby), along with precise and
current information on the use of the nipple shield,
would have been negligent on my part. I do not simply
sell breastfeeding devices. I counsel breastfeeding
mothers, and ANYBODY who inquires about my services or
my products deserves and requires the full story.
No name, I feel that you have unfairly responded to my
efforts to answer a question in a timely manner in a
way that provided *complete* information. I truly do
not understand your purpose in attacking me for what
was only good intention. I challenge you to find
ANYONE *certified* in the field of lactation who would
disagree with my advice to you or find information in
the professional texts that differed from what I
presented to you.
Becky Flora
> Becky,
>
> Thanks for your prompt reply, however, I found
> your answer quite inaccurate, " the baby becoming
> 'addicted' to the
> firm shield causing him to reject the bare breast
> completely." Completely Becky? Also you state
> nipple shields are Not
> recommended to treat sore nipples, etc. Who doesn't
> recommend them? YOU? Another beauty was, shields
> are only advised
> in severe cases, nonsense! I don't know where
> you're pulling these gems out of but I do know it's
> not your head.
>
> I am a Registered Nurse (36 years in the
> business) and nursed 4 children successfully. I
> used nipple shields when
> I became extremely sore or tender to get relief
> ,sometimes only a day sometimes a few days, without
> any detriment to my
> child or milk supply. I do agree the shield should
> be thin. You continue to say it should only be used
> under direct
> supervision of a DR and lactation expert, get real!
> Where are you getting this info from? You sound
> very naive and
> gullible. Those are pretty strong statements Becky.
> By the way, I found a supplier of nipple shields,
> no thanks to
> you, If you recall that was my question, where can
> I find them, I don't recall asking for your
> OPINIONS.
>
> One thing I learned as a health care provider
> and information source is no matter what the
> condition, everyone rides
> differently , similar but different. I suggest you
> answer questions put to you with less of your own
> opinion, and if
> it's not your opinion question whose it is.
>
> I also suggest you be wary of doctors male/
> female who never nursed a baby giving profound
> statements as to what to
> do and what not to do. Think before you give
> incorrect advice, use your wording more carefully.
> You can do more harm
> than good, OR you can do more good than harm. Be
> careful, it matters!
>
> Sincerely,
>
> No Name
>
>
>
>
>
> No name,
> >
> > Actually nipple shields are NOT recommended to
> treat
> > sore nipples due to the risk of the following:
> >
> > insufficient breast stimulation due to the baby
> not
> > being able to directly compress the breast tissue
> >
> > a decrease in milk transfer to the baby because he
> > cannot directly compress the breast
> >
> > a drop in milk supply due to a decrease in breast
> > stimulation and milk transfer
> >
> > slow weight gain in the baby due to low milk
> transfer
> >
> > the baby becoming "addicted" to the firm shield
> > causing him to reject the bare breast completely
> >
> > Shields are only advised in severe cases of
> difficult
> > latch on and then only thin silicone ones under
> the
> > direct supervision of a DR and lactation expert.
> >
> > In most cases, faulty latch and positioning are
> the
> > reasons for nipple soreness in the early days of
> > breastfeeding. Once these are improved, nipple
> > soreness should greatly improve within 24-48
> hours.
> > See this page for a review of these basics of
> > breastfeeding:
> >
> >
>
http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/positioning.html
> >
> > See this page for some approved treatment measures
> for
> > sore nipples in the meantime as your
> daughter-in-law
> > works to perfect the latch and positioning:
> >
> >
>
http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/sorenipples.html
> >
> > If after paying close attention to latch and
> > positioning, the nipples are not better or even
> worse
> > after 24-48 hours, then I would strongly suggest a
> > consult with a lactation consultnat or La Leche
> League
> > leader. Thrush and a faulty suck will need to be
> > ruled out and latch/positioning further assessed.
> >
> > Hope this is helpful. Please let me know if I can
> be
> > of further help to you.
> >
> > Becky Flora
> >
> >
> > -
> > > I'm looking for nipple shields ,used for
> temporary
> > > relief of sore and/or
> > > cracked nipples. My daughter-in-law is having
> some
> > > soreness and I
> > > remember years ago we used these nipple shields
> for
> > > temporary relief
> > > while still continuing to nurse. It was a great
> help
> > > as the infant was
> > > still nursing but you had some protection there.
> > > With all the
> > > accessories surely someone makes this. Tell me
> who
> > > and where I can find
> > > it. Thanks No name
Thanks all Lactnetters for reading!
Becky Flora
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