I'm not a LC but I can tell you what's going on in our nursery.  Many of the
staff nurses made the same complaints - no shields available during the
night.  So the LCs placed some in our stock, with the understanding that if
they used one, they had to initiate a LC consult so that the mom could be
properly assessed during the day.  I can tell you from experience - the
shields are being used like water.  It doesn't seem to matter what the issue
is, everyone thinks a nipple shield will fix it.  And the followup phone
calls are not happening like they should.  So unfortunately (at least in my
hospital), your concerns are a reality.

Christina Harris, RN
Seattle, WA

On 5/29/07, Brenda Phipps wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have just completed a survey of my staff, and was surprised at the great
> number of night shift staff who complained that they need more training on
> the use of nipple shields to help their patients, when the LC is not
> available. I
> have been very reluctant to train staff about the shields, and have even
> hidden them in my office because nurses were getting into my supply at
> night
> and I would show up the next day with several moms trying to breastfeed
> their
> babies with 24mm shields.
>
> I am concerned that even with the proper training on how to use the
> shields,
> that they would be overused and for inappropriate reasons.
>
> Are there any LCs on the list who are providing nipple shields for their
> staff? If
> so, how is that going? I would love to see a discussion on this.
>
> Thanks!
> Brenda Phipps, BS, IBCLC

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