Annie,
I do not share your fondness for the Avent nipple.  One baby in
my practice who never did transition from bottle to breast used Avent
nipples.  His mother had perfect nipples/breasts.  She tried for
months using all the tricks, including SNS and nipple shield, he would
latch only once with each method and then never again.
        I look at babies in terms of skills needed vs skills developed.
I do believe from my experience that for some infants with marginal
skills, bottles can reward the wrong behaviors and make it very difficult
to return to the breast.  I have also observed that small premies
transition to the breast more readily than older babies.  The cut point
seems to be around 5 pounds.  I have had the most success in my practice
with transitioning premies of around 34-36 weeks ga and about 3.75 to 4.5
lbs. to exclusive breastfeeding from bottlefeeding with ebm.  I would be
interested in feedback on this observation...premie stories, anyone?
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Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]