Jeanette P. wrote:
"In fact, from an LLLLeader
who thought they were the most useless product that were utilized by
people
who just "didn't know enough to get a baby latched on", I have
become a
great advocate for their use..."

Ditto here.  I remember when I had the opinion that shields were
only used by nurses too lazy to really help a mom nurse.  That view
was so ingrained in me that I still feel a twinge of guilt when I
suggest one to a mom.  Of course, now that I see things from a
diferent perspective, I can see that at times they can be the answer
to an immediate problem.  One additional criteria I haven't seen
mentioned in the recent discussion:
Mom is extremely frustrated with the effort it is taking to try to
get baby to nurse.  If she doesn't see some measure of "success" in
the next 2 minutes, she will throw in the towel and just bottle
feed.  I might feel that there are still other approaches to try,
but when I sense a mom is at this point, I will introduce a shield
if I feel baby is likely to take to it.  Mom is thrilled that baby
is "finally nursing".  Then after she has settled in with baby, we
can use other approaches to get baby on the breast directly.
Winnie IBCLC

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