@mrs.hibben, since they are really pro breast I hope so too !!

@prestonjeanetta0120, That is terrible! Most lactation consultant are big advocates and do everything they can. I hope they treat you better this time!

@mrs.hibben, I had one in the hospital they were awful after the 3rd day they was frustrated and didn’t want to help me cause baby just wouldn’t latch and my nipples were flat also my milk supply was super low and he couldn’t get full of it and just cried alll night long they actually told me to just stop and give him a bottle and they brought me formula . I tried to breast feed at home since I had a pump but my milk supply just wasn’t there . And I spend 5 days in the hospital each deliver cause my c-section . Plus at in home nurse for 2 weeks after . But that was with my son so hopefully this time around since a lot have changed even the staff is much nicer and willing to help more .

@prestonjeanetta0120, definitely. This time around you should ask for a lactation consultant in the hospital. The one I saw said that you could try to pull your nipples a bit to make them come out and make it easier for baby to latch. I only used the shield for a couple of weeks and my nipples were super pointy after that. Breastfed for almost two years. Hopefully I’ll be able to do the same this time.

@mrs.hibben, okay thanks so much

Breastmilk was the best thing for me when my nipples were raw. I expressed milk and let it air dry, just let those babies breath. Healed up really quick. I used a nipple shield too for awhile. My nipples weren’t very pointy and it made it easier for my son to latch. I hated them though. You have to clean them after everything use and make sure you have it to feed. I got him off of it as soon as I could. Your nipples will change while breastfeeding. So when they were pointy enough I stopped using the shield.

I use a medela nipple cream after every feeding. You do not have to wipe it off either because it safe for baby and you really only have to use a pea size amount it works great for mem

My left nipple is flat and my son always had a hard time latching on that side unless I used a nipple shield, without it it would have been impossible!!

So I used nipple shields with my first and I regretted it. My son struggled with nipple confusion and I had to work very hard to wean him off them. They affected my supply and it was a big struggle. This time, they suggested one and I told them I’d like to work to get him to latch without and they let me. He latched and now my supply is much better than with my first. Just keep trying to latch baby without them and use them as an absolute last resort. I used lansinoh for the soreness on my nipples and breast milk. I also let them air dry as much as possible.

Thats awful. Your 9yo son right? Girllll. The education on breastfeeding is MUCH better now. I think you'll have better luck. As long as you try, which you will. The shields also affect your supply and recommend you dont use too long. But they are great and have helped many moms. Just make sure they send you a lac specialist after birth. If you dont like her, keep asking for new ones until you get the help you need to discharge. And even once youre home, don't shy on getting help.

@kambam, that why I would buy the shields my son couldn’t latch hospital got tired of trying to help me my nipples are flat and stimulation doesnt really work much at all . On top of that I have breast issues with my tissue and lumps my milk supply wasn’t enough for baby to be full on and after day 4 of getting lil to no help from nurses because typically spend a full week in the hospital due to my c-section and over loss of blood I quit . They didn’t even suggest trying to give me a shield and they got annoyed and just told me it’s not for everyone and to just bottle feed . So I got annoyed and that’s what I did but I want this time to work !! So hopefully they will have a better team or you moms on here can guide me if I’m having a hard time

I used nipple cream. Coconut oil is trash imo (drying) and breast milk didnt do shit to my abused nipples. The cooling gel pads also saved me.

Nipple shields are meant to be a LAST resort. You have to learn to latch. Shields are for babies that have a ties, mom has flat nipples, getting baby back to breast after bottle and if mom absolutely can't establish a real latch.

@itsdestyn, you have a point cause I wouldn’t know what size !! Thanks

@prestonjeanetta0120, I would wait until you go to the hospital because they might give you some for free once Baby is born and they have different sizes. I think mine were a 22 but you might need a diff size.

@boymama., same, I don’t even use it anymore

@itsdestyn, that’s good to know I’m going buy some just Incase baby can’t correct my flat nipples from feeding . Because I really want to breast feed . Glad that it was such a great help for you !!

Nipple shields were the only way I could breast feed. They were a life saver.

@jmarieg, thanks what are the gel pads like ?

@bodybycheetos, thanks that’s what I’m worried about not being able to latch well because mines are flat when I was pregnant with my son he couldn’t latch well and my milk supply was low I had no help and nobody told me about trying a shield so after 4 days I quit . This is my last pregnancy and I would really love to do it and stick with it until at least 2yrs .

@boymama., that’s great thanks

@laniejay, okay thank you .

I used breast milk and coconut oil also. I didn't use a nipple shield so I can't help with that, I held off to see if babe could correct the inverted nipple I had and he did.

Tbh i used nipple cream the first week to help with the pain, all it did was keep my nipples from getting cracked. After the soreness went away I stopped using the cream. We are 13 months breastfeeding and no pain, cream, anything.

Breastmilk and coconut oil.