Like all tools, finger feeding can be used properly and improperly.
It's role, in my opinion, is to get the baby sucking well, and calmed
down, so that he will take the breast. It is *not* to be used when the
baby is taking the breast.  In that case, *if supplementation is truly
necessary*, the lactation aid should be used at the breast.  It is not
to be used when the mother is not there.  If the mother is not there,
cup feeding is preferable.  It is not best used after 30 minutes of
struggling to get the baby to the breast "instead of a bottle".  If
the baby is refusing the breast, finger feeding should be used to get
him to the breast, and should be used early in the process.

Yes, babies can get used to finger feeding (and so can mothers).  But
used properly, it is very helpful.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC