Jane:  I read with interest your post about your struggles with opinions
about shields.  I, too, have worked in lactation for 26 years, 11 of it as
and LLL Leader and the other 15 as IBCLC.  Years ago, when I did inservices,
the first thing out of my mouth was  "don't use nipple shields".  My
acceptance of them has been a gradual process - bolstered by success.  Have I
sometimes felt inadequate because I couldn't get these babies on without it?
You bet.  Did I wonder if someone would come behind me and worry the mother?
Uhhuh.  Have I had mothers call me in a panic because someone else had
started them on a shield and they felt really bad about using it? Frequently.
 I find myself giving a brief history of shields to explain the differences
between what we had in the past (rubber shields, ones with glass parts, ones
with ridges) and what we have now and how they are a bridge for some babies
who have suck problems.  I have had a few infants who cannot latch even with
a shield, or a shield with a feeding tube underneath, despite our best
efforts.  I'm delighted when an infant almost jumps on the breast with a
shield in place and has a good feed.  I then know that proper latching
without it will soon come without maternal stress or lots of bottles. Perhaps
with several visits and a lot of time these babies would nurse without using
a shield at all, but my moms want the baby on and on now...or they will
dismiss nursing and go to pumping and bottlefeeding.  Hang on Jane - you've
got some company....   Judy Eastburn, BS, IBCLC  privatepractice,  Dallas, TX

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