Ro: I believe that ALL tools have the potential to do harm and do good. The deciding factor is how the tool is used. Nipple shields are tools. I beleive that they can be useful I do use them in my practice...I am very careful with thier use, due to the society that you and I live in in the u.s. I too have a concent form that MUST be signed. I seldom have mother's using them for more than a few days. The max in the last two years was I believe 4 days.