Jennifer: Funny you should mention this mother's thoughts on the nipple shield which is so quickly given out by hospital staff as a quick-fix. I have never, and I repeat NEVER!, encountered a mother truly committed to BF who has stated that she liked using a nipple shield. All tell me they realized (quickly) what a mistake it was to even start with one. I have also never encountered a mother truly committed to BF who has said she enjoyed her pumping experience, even when she knows that it's unavoidable (such as returning to work or pumping for a sick baby). But that's another issue. I used to recommend that nipple shields be cut down gradually, but no longer do, because of the reason that Heather gives. On a couple of occasions I have had moms show me superficial lacerations on the nipple where it is being pulled thru the cut end of the newer silicon shield during nursing. I also own a collection of cut-down NUK nipples that a mother graciously donated to me. I think there are at least 8 nipples in various stages of cut-down. She had been told be her pediatrician to do this and already had this collection going when she finally came to see me. At the end of the nursing session in my office, baby pulled off - with the tip of her tongue stuck in the cut end of the NUK nipple! Fortunately, no damage was done, but it certainly startled the mom, who did go on to successfully wean her baby to the bare breast. Good Luck to this mother - she may never be able to get him off the shield, but I would certainly offer her tons of support and encouragement and remind her frequently that nursing sessions are not a battleground. Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC Clinical Lead, Lactation Services Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL USA *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html