Small Breastfeeding Frustration

I have been breastfeeding Maddy since the day she was born - about six weeks ago.  When I started breastfeeding in the hospital, Maddy had a hard time latching on. So, instead of being patient and teaching her how to latch on, the nurse gave me a Medela Contact Nipple Shield. When I started using the nipple shield, she latched on and would not let go. During the rest of my 48+ hours in the hospital, the nurses continued to have me use the nipple shield.  When we had our follow-up appointment a few days after leaving the hospital, the nurse continue to encourage me to use the nipple shield because Maddy was eating so well using it. 

However, no one ever told me that if she continues to use the nipple shield, she would never latch on to just me.  At almost every feeding, I try to get her to latch on to just me and she just won't do it.  She gets frustrated, starts banging her head against my body and then cries uncontrollably.  I have tried to guide her to the nipple, but she just won't latch on.  There were a few times that she has, but she only stays only for a few seconds before unlatching and crying again. 

So, it looks as though I'll continue using the Medela Contact Nipple Shield.  I've tried using other brands, but this one is the best!  Don't go for the cheaper ones because they just don't work!  I wish I didn't have to use it, but I'll do what I have to do to get her to eat... and let me tell you... she can eat!  The only downside of using the nipple shield is that it can get a little messy.  Anytime she unlatches from the shield, it's filled with milk.  If she starts moving around her hands and hits the shield, the milk gets all over.  So, I've found that using the nipple shield is a lot messier.  But other then that, I haven't found any other downside to using it.  Some suggested that it could decrease my milk supply, but so far, this has not been the case.  Actually, the more that Maddy is eating, the more milk that I'm producing - she never leaves a feeding hungry, even as she is growing.

So, if you're having trouble getting your baby to latch on, I'd recommend using a Nipple Shield.  However, I do suggest that once the baby is latched onto the shield for a minute or two, unlatch the baby, remove the shield and try to get the baby to latch onto you.  It can be inconvenient and messy to always use the nipple shield.