How to wean from a shield

[TwoBees]

Moms of preemies, if you wore a shield while BFing, at what age (gestational/actual/adjusted) were you able to wean your DC from the shield and how did you do it? DD is a combination of BFing and bottles (with bm).
Thanks!

[egoldber]

Amy was born at 34 weeks and needed the shield until she was about 38/39 weeks. Then I dropped it gradually over a week or two. I did the middle of the night ones first because they were a bigger PITA for me to find the shield, get it positioned, etc.

[MomToOne]

We used a shield and DD ended up dropping it herself which was kind of a surprise for me. She was nursing one day and the shield came loose when she pulled away. Before I was able to adjust it she had gone back in and latched on great and that was it. Quite a surprise. She was about 4-5 months old. Sorry that it's not good advice about weaning off it, but maybe it can help regarding what age?

[sansdieu]

Never mind ;)

[JTsMom]

Not a mom of a preemie, but thought I'd chime in. I used a shield briefly with DS. Long story, but we ended up with some nipple confusion issues, and out of desperation, I tried a shield, and it worked. After we got pretty good at nursing that way, I'd let him nurse until he was almost done, remove the shield, and try to nurse without it. It took a while, but eventually he did learn to latch on his own that way. One day, it just happened, at that was that!

[Nooknookmom]

DD was 36 weeks, not really a preemie, but we needed a shield up until she was 3-4 months old. May have been earlier but my mind has gone to town today.

I kept them stashed everywhere, could put it on in the middle of the night with my eyes closed. Boy was I glad when that phase was over.

However, without one, I doubt we would have been sucsessful bfing. The difference was amazing!

[TwoBees]

Tried without the shield this evening and DD took right to it! I'm hoping she does it again. :yay: