I would like to comment that I do not like to cut nipple shields when weaning
them. I find that it has helped tremendously to have more than one size, and
have had small babies graduate to larger ones as they master the technique of
feeding from mom. One of my recent smaller(2 lbs 6 oz @ birth) patients's
moms tried snipping the tip, and she took it (reluctantly at first) for 2
days, then had a fit until it was replaced by an intact one. She was able to
transition to a large shield,  for about a week, then we assisted her to
latch solo, and now two weeks later she is without it. Mom brought the
shields to her last visit    cut  into a million little pieces.
I think  maybe shield cutting is better after baby is through with them. The
tricky part is  knowing when and how to best begin removing them and teaching
the dyad solo feeding.
Fritzi Drosten, RN,IBCLC
Piedmont, CA