Greetings all..... I read Elyse's post with interest, because it sounds
so similar to the way things go in our NICU.  Many of our pre-terms are
nippled via volu-feeder before they ever get a chance to go to
breast.... and skin to skin is something rarely mentioned to parents.
(One of our experienced nurses recently asked me what Kangaroo Care
was!).

I,too, find nipple shields provide a "bridge" from bottle feeding to
breastfeeding.  I always attempt to get baby to the breast first... and
as often as Mom and baby can tolerate.  When we get to the point that it
sems like Mom or baby (or both) are getting too frustrated, I suggest we
might try the shield as a temporary measure.  My experience has been
that they can be very helpful when Mom is well educated about their use
and about the need for frequent follow-up after d/c.

Just today, I got a call from a Mom (one of our staff nurses),who called
to share her joy that her 11 week old was finally at breast without a
shield.  She had been trying daily to get baby off the shield, and
yesterday went out of town and forgot the shield at home!  Viola!  No
more shield!!  She's ecstatic.  Baby has been growing well, but Mom
hated having to use the shield.  I don't like them either, but somtimes
they're what keeps breastfeeding going until baby is ready to go to
breast without help.

Susan Wirtjes RN IBCLC

from Susan in Iowa (is this heaven?)
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"What you permit, you promote"