Heidi,
I can share one experience with you for encouragement.  Last year an
adoptive mom came to me with a 6 month old that had been exclusively
bottlefed.  She wondered if her baby would nurse.....and sure enough, she
went right to breast with an SNS and drank her fill.  Mom had been using
lots of cuddling contact with this baby as her parenting style regardless of
feeding method, and baby loved cuddling, so it was not a big step.
I have also worked with a few moms whose babies didn't latch until about 3
months.  The moms just 'treaded water' by offering the breast about once a
day or more, pumping and bottlefeeding. Eventually they latched on, taking
mom by suprise.

> I have read about using the same bottle nipple baby is used to as a
> 'shield' and then cutting off preogressively more and more of the
> silicone--
I know it has been discussed on lactnet before, potential dangers in the
edges of the silicone cutting the mouth of the infant.  I wouldn't try this.
A nipple shield may work though, as a stepping stone.
First the baby may need to just get comfortable being fed in a nursing
postition.  See what baby is willing to do, then go from there.  If going to
breast is too big a step, perhaps mom can bottlefeed baby cheek to breast
until that is comfortable for baby, then move to breastfeeds.
All the best,
Bettina Pearson RN, BSN, IBCLC
Portland, Maine
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