I think that Deborah is right in saying that continuing to breastfeed
with a shield for many months is not ideal, for many reasons. One is
that a lot of that lovely skin-on-skin is lost. Another is that the
mother may be convinced she can only breastfeed with "mechanical" help.
I don't know about you, but I cringe when anybody says, "if it weren't
for her, I wouldn't still be breastfeeding!" and I should clarify that
once in a while it is me that they are "thanking"... my response, from
the heart is, "No, if it weren't for 'you' you wouldn't still be
breastfeeding." It's like the aptly-named transitional hold, a lactation
aid, a double electric pump: if something works for a while to solve
particular problems, o.k., but often mothers who use them feel awkward
and, if they have trouble making the transition easily to a more
comfortable, low-tech style of breastfeeding, they are not going to
enjoy the rewards of sustained breastfeeding. I think if we are helping
mothers this way, we should reassure them that they won't need whatever
it is forever, and help them to formulate their own plan for moving away
from aids when they are ready.
Just MVHO
Jo-Anne

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html