She had trouble breastfeeding at first. In the hospital, she used a nipple shield and the hospital-grade pump to help express colostrum while she learned how to nurse. During those early days, she fed her baby with a spoon or syringe, ensuring her little one got what was needed even as they both adjusted.
Once they returned home, she felt more at ease—free from the pressure of hospital staff and able to find her own rhythm. She focused on lots of skin-to-skin contact and encouraged her baby to latch or attempt to latch as often as possible to help stimulate milk production. The nipple shield proved to be a tremendous help during that time. She also learned that they come in different sizes, depending on the size of the areola, which made it easier to find one that fit her well.