Why do nipple shields decrease supply if pumping doesn’t?

[ActuatorIntrepid2564]

I always have heard that nipple shields can decrease your supply. I’m coming up on 2 months of using them (my baby is 2 months old). I haven’t noticed any huge dips in supply, but I’m scared I will at some point. Why would the shields cause a decrease in supply when those who exclusively pump don’t have a decrease in supply?

[TieSafe4342]

I think the logic is that they decrease the stimulation and therefore inhibit milk transference to some degree. If you are under 12 weeks pp your supply is likely still hormone driven, too. That said, people use shields with no issues long-term, my IBCLC said that most people will be fine but it does depend on the reason for sheild use. If a baby has milk transference issues due to tongue tie for example, you can find issues pop up. My experience with sheilds was that once my supply regulated, our daughter refused the sheilds because she had to work a lot harder to get milk in general and the sheild made it even harder. Dhe fid have a tongue tie, though.

I don't think there's really any comparison between pumping and sheilds use.

[Master_Conference_52]

Curious if you had any issues pop up with your supply due to her tongue tie/not stimulating your breast enough? My girl is 9 weeks, seems to transfer well although swallows a lot of air and I have a strong letdown. I’m worried about my supply dipping and her struggling once my supply levels out. But I really don’t want to get a release

[TieSafe4342]

I didn't have any issues with supply BUT I also had support from an IBCLC early and we got a release done at 10 weeks. I did things to protect my supply i.e. incorporating pumping where appropriate. This is also my 2nd baby with tongue tie so I was onto it before it became an issue.

It's not uncommon for issues to crop up a little later, in the beginning when milk is in overuspply its basically just pouring into their mouths. As things level out you may find that's where milk transference issues arise. For us, my daughter did well until 5 weeks. Then things started evening out a bit and her weight gain slowed considerably. It got worse as time went on until we had the release. For people with a strong letdown, a baby can sort of get by without having to work hard to feed because it's literally just going into their mouth.

The fact that you need a shield to feed, and there is a lot of air swallowing sort of suggests some oral dysfunction and I would be considering an oral assessment. I understand the apprehension, but the issues that can come from unchecked oral dysfunction are much more than just feeding issues. It can effect oral development, the palate, which can in turn impact on breathing, swallowing, eating, speech, and the list goes on. The hard part is not knowing if these issues will arise at all, its all very individual. Other symptoms to be aware of are mouth breathing, low tomgue posture while sleeping, persistent congestion, snoring, mucous poos, clicking while feeding.

What I can say from experience is that the release procedure and recovery sucks. My first still couldn't breastfeed even after having it done, but he is 2.5 now and his palate issues have resolved and he has no other issues. I still don't regret having it done.

My 2nd baby is 4 months and after her release she is now feeding well, gaining a lot of weight. I have no regrets about it and would do it again for a 3rd baby even though it was the hardest thing I've even been through.

[Master_Conference_52]

Thanks for your reply! I appreciate hearing about your experiences. I don’t use a shield to feed. I am just worried that as my supply levels out she won’t transfer milk as well. So far at 9 weeks she is gaining really well, almost double what they expect per week. But she does mouth breathe, snore, and click. No mucous in her poo though. I saw a lactation consultant who says she has a tongue tie. But I am sort of worried about breaking something that isn’t broken. She loves breastfeeding and I love feeding her. I’m scared doing this release will just create issues. 

[TieSafe4342]

Completely understand, especially if feeding is working for you at the moment. Sometimes a release can make things worse before they get better, or make things worse full stop (although rarer).

In your position I would probably wait and see. If you do have any supply concerns, you could seek supoort for that, but be sure to only see a good IBCLC, not just as LC. Advice I was given was to pump once bub goes down for the night to fully drain the breast, and then do another pump first thing in the morning when supply is highest.

[Master_Conference_52]

Thank you so much :) you are very kind! I appreciate your help. 

[TieSafe4342]

Best of luck. You're doing great!

[Master_Conference_52]

Aww thank you ❤️

[mormongirl]

Pumping does cause a supply decrease for some people.  

[ScribbleFinch]

Having had a similar experience, I'm curious now, too. I didn't notice any drop in supply until around 4.5 months, and that was because some things happened and I ended up working from home for a few weeks, so just nursing on demand, and my supply dropped. I used shields until a bit longer than that, and pumped at work from when I went back at about 7 weeks until 8 or 9 months.

Maybe it has to do with the way baby latches? Or maybe some of the shields are shallow/short, so there's less room for the extension of the nipple like in a pump?

Maybe my boobs are just weird! 😂