The question has come up---
   With all that we're now hearing about latix allergies, what about the use
of artificial teats?  Our Phila. Sunday paper had a large article on the
subject of latex allergy, especially in health care workers.  The only
mention of artificial nipples was in  the last paragraph where they said that
gloves are usually made with a liquid form of latex, and artificial nipples
with a more stable solid form,probably less likely to cause problems.  (The
same sentence said that no problems related to latex condom use have been
reported!)
    This doesn't do much to address the issue.  I know that there are cases
of latex allergies in babies who are bottle fed---I don't have time to go
through my articles right now.  But there needs to be research done on this
issue.  Does such early and repeated exposure increase the risk of
sensitivity later in life?  And what about people who actually follow package
instructions and boil the nipples, are they increasing risk?  And those who
don't throw them out the minute they get 'sticky'.  this is scary.
    Debi Ferrarello, RN, IBCLC, who found that if her nipples got 'sticky',
it was probably from something her kids were eating, and DEFINITELY not from
boiling!:)