Regarding the concerns about availability of shields for those who do need them - I think the solution is for shields to be stocked in pharmacies behind the counter.  When a doc or LC recomends one, the mom would only need to ask for it.  It just wouldn't be out on the shelf.  The number of moms who really need one is small - I doubt stores would use up valuable shelf space if those were the only women buying them.  The way they are being displayed is a signal to expectant mothers to buy them ahead of time - that is a much larger market.

The shield-associated problem I've been seeing most of is  just that the they are used instead of addressing the source of the nipple pain.  The latch problem that causes the pain is not corrected, and continues to cause nipple damage even through the shield, though less so, so the mother is now in pain for longer, and can't nurse without the shield.  I'm concerned that this will become even more common.


Jessica Lang Kosa, Ph.D., IBCLC
Research Analyst
Division of Maternal & Child Health
School of Public Health
50 University Hall
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-7360

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