I too have used the Avent Niplette.  It was with one of our midwives having
her fourth baby.  She had breastfed the other babies, but spent their first
couple of months expressing, then tried a nipple shield without success
before they were finally big enough and strong enough to attach and suck the
nipple out.
She used the Niplette during the last few weeks of pregnancy - I know people
will tell you that it causes preterm labour;  I guess it does, just as much
as feeding a toddler during pregnancy does!  Don't mean to offend anyone but
I have read all the research on the liklihood of that and the success of
nipple stimulation in an attempt to induce labour.  I guess if I had someone
who had a history of preterm labour I wouldn't use it until 37 weeks - but
not because I really believe this device would cause the labour, just to
stop being told it was my fault, if it happened anyway!
Back to this midwife - she continued to use the Niplette for a little while
before each feed and the baby attached and sucked well from birth.  It
wasn't all smooth sailing - she used it on and off for a few weeks, but
didn't have nearly the problems she had had with the last three.
Her nipples are still inverted - I guess we weren't looking for a permanent
cure, as I believe the literature tells you it will do.
One problem with it in the later stages of pregnancy and afterwards is that
if the breasts leak - which there is a pretty high liklihood at that stage-
than you lose the suction in the little cup.
And the cup looks like a thimble - wouldn't be any good for those ladies
with the really wide nipples.
And they are very very expensive - aimed more at the plastic surgery market
i feel, than the motherhood price range.

I used to be able to write succinctly - but have just lost it lately, sorry :-)
Denise
Brisbane, Qld, Australia
mailto: [log in to unmask]

***********************************************************