Back in the dark ages (20yrs ago!) it was common practice for rubber nipple shields to be handed to mothers
with their babies to prevent and/or cure sore nipples. We spent a lot of time helping mothers to wean their
babies from the shields, usually by gradually snipping bits off the end until the mother's nipple was
completely exposed.
These days, fewer shields are used, and usually only as a last resort. Having seen the many problems
associated with these devices in the past, I am personally very reluctant to use them. However, I am curious
as to how a baby could be weaned from it's use, since shields are now made of silicon and snipping would
produce a rough, jagged edge. Assuming that the "nurse with shield and then slip it off" method is not
working, what else do you try?


Norma Ritter, IBCLC, LLLL
"If not now, when? If not us, who?"
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