Dear Jan,
I think nipple shields can be effective also with a baby who can't or won't
latch on. I had a mom who had gotten the baby to breast a few times so we
knew she could nurse but became nipple confused and refused to have anything
to do with the breast. She also got attached to finger feeding and wouldn't
go back to breast from that. This mom was resigned to long-term pumping when
at about 6 weeks we tried the nipple shield and baby latched right on. This
mom also had no trouble with milk supply and about 6 weeks after that was
able to wean from the nipple shield and never looked back.

My policy on nipple shields is to try everything else first and to give mom
all the information on risks of nipple shields. But if mom is going to give
up why not try it.

Marilee Woodworth LLL, IBCLC