Blog

Weaning your baby off nipple shields can be a gradual but rewarding journey. Here are some effective steps to help your little one latch directly and comfortably.

1. Embrace Skin-to-Skin: Prioritise skin-to-skin contact, even when your baby isn't feeding. This nurturing connection can rewire your baby's brain and make a significant difference in encouraging them to latch without the shield.

2. Catch Early Hunger Signs: Pay close attention to your peacefully sleeping baby for subtle hunger cues like rapid eye movement or gentle fidgeting. Attempt latching when they're just beginning to wake up, or even when they're still in a drowsy state.

3. Frequent Nursing: Offer the breast every two hours or whenever your baby shows hunger cues. Hungry babies can be impatient, so think of yourself as an all-day buffet. There's no such thing as nursing your baby too often.

4. Stay Calm: Avoid letting your baby become too upset during latching attempts. If they start crying or fussing, reintroduce the shield and try again later. We want your baby to associate your bare breast with comfort, not discomfort.

5. Enhance Latch with Drops: Before latching, hand-express a few drops of milk onto your nipple to entice your baby. If you're using formula, you can do the same with a drop or two of formula.

6. Encourage with Words: Speak gently and reassuringly to your baby while latching. Your soothing voice is comforting, and positive encouragement can make a difference in the latching process.

7. Adjust Breast Position: Use your hand to shape your breast into a mouthful. Gently pull back on the skin above your areola to angle your nipple upwards toward the roof of your baby's mouth. Position your nipple right under their nose and ensure their chin firmly touches your breast under your areola. When your baby opens their mouth, they should come up and over your nipple.

8. Inverted Nipples: If your nipples are inverted or very soft, there are techniques to make them more "shield-shaped" and firm. You can try pumping for a couple of minutes, using an ice cube or cold washcloth to harden your nipple, or utilising products like Supple Cups or Lansinoh LatchAssist.

9. Soften Engorged Breasts: If your breasts are engorged and too firm for your baby to latch onto, employ breast massage and hand expression or reverse pressure softening to soften your areolae. A little "give" is crucial for your baby's latch.

10. The Bait and Switch: If your baby is adamant about using the shield, try a bait and switch technique. Begin feeding with the shield, and after 3-4 minutes when your baby's eyes start to close, unlatch them and remove the shield. Swiftly attempt to latch your baby without it. This tactic can be quite effective when executed promptly.

Remember, patience is key. If you or your baby become upset, it's perfectly fine to revert to the shield and try again at the next feeding. Weaning from nipple shields is a gradual process, and you're doing a fantastic job. Be kind to yourself; breastfeeding is a journey that requires resilience and love.