Dr. Anne Eglash said:

"I think using nipple shields early on is like imprinting baby
ducklings on decoys. Infant latch is very deeply ingrained in all
mammals, humans as well as puppies and kittens."

I so totally agree! This has absolutely been my experience while
working NICU. As a rule I find that babies who had frequent kangaroo
care along with "nuzzling" and "dry" nursing (nursing at a recently
pumped breast) before they initiated oral feeding were always able to
latch and nurse with relative ease, even if they also received
bottles. But babies who had bottles first and then were offered the
breast had a much, much harder time and often required a nipple
shield. I've also theorized about the imprinting that must be going on
in these babies...

-Laura Wasielewski MS, CCC-SLP, IBCLC
Los Angeles, CA

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