Jeanette,
I would like to second what Catherine Genna said about the use of the
nipple shield being appropriate in this situation. Just one thing I would
suggest is to try to get this babe sucking on the bare breast at some stage
fairly regularly (ie at least once every day), like for comfort at the end
of a feed, or at least later in the feed when the flow might be less
frightening. Obviously, this would need to be when baby can get pleasant
experiences of the breast. The aim is to keep the baby from getting
'hooked' on the feel of the shield only, which is a form of nipple
confusion. Later mum may be able to wean baby off the shield gradually, if
and when her flow settles down and/or baby learns to cope better.

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia (which seems at times to be the 'nipple shield
capital of the world'!!)
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