Gigi:  Maybe I'm violating a rule that I wasn't aware of (and please do let
me know with citations if possible), but I cut away the silcone shields all
the time (we have a lot of shield use in our hospital and I get to clean up
the mess 3-5 weeks out when baby is hooked).  What is  your reason for not
cutting the silicone? I heat up the shield in warm water and use a very
sharp blade; I deal with any rough edges with an emery board after the
shield has cooled.  The biggest problem I have is that moms are terrified of
cutting these because they are only given one at the hospital (so I give
them another to ease their fear of permanently destroying their only one).
:)
Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]
mom, wife, educator, lactation consultant, researcher, scientist, author,
organic gardener, photographer, lapidary creator, lousy cleaner.

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