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Nipple Shields
By Tamar Krantman Weiss
Zimmerman stresses that although nipple shields may seem like a welcome solution to mothers who are having difficulty nursing for whatever reason, it is crucial to use them sparingly. In the event that they are overused, the drawbacks of using nipple shields will most likely outweigh the benefits. One recognized problem with the shields is that they cause the mother to receive less stimulation, the baby to receive less milk, and thus can diminish the mother's milk supply and the baby's weight gain.
Another common problem with the use of nipple shields is that it may result in nipple confusion. The shields, says Dr. Zimmerman, teach the baby to suck from an imitation nipple which he or she will become used to and may then refuse the real thing.
Zimmerman maintains that whatever the factors are that result in the use of nipple shields, it is of utmost importance for a breastfeeding mother to persistently try to feed the baby without the shields at regular intervals. A good time to try nursing without the shields is when the baby is "interested [in eating] but not hungry, and certainly not when the baby is starving." Many women trying to wean their babies from nipple shields successfully begin a feeding session with the shields on and then slip them off in the middle, managing to put the baby directly to the breast. Whatever the method, the important thing is to not give up trying to breastfeed without nipple shields.
Abbi is the mother of a baby girl who was born very small and lacking energy. Due to the baby's condition at birth, Abbi was not permitted to nurse the baby immediately as she had planned. When given the opportunity for their first nursing session later, both Abbi and her baby had a hard time.
She was wrongly advised in the way to position herself and the baby and soon they found themselves in a frustrating cycle: the baby was tired from not getting enough nourishment, she would take one suck and fall asleep at the breast, and then become continuously hungrier and more exhausted. Finally a lactation consultant gave Abbi a few options to consider, one of which was nipple shields.
