Jeanette,
I think a nipple shield is an elegant solution to this problem.  If mom
is able to reduce the force of her MER a bit, nursing the baby in prone
(on his belly while mom leans back, say in a rocker or in bed) might help
him handle the flow.
        It is perfectly acceptable to use a treatment for its' side
effects rather than it's stated effect...I know an ob who used an
epidural to lower the dangerously high bp of a laboring woman, allowing
her to have a vaginal birth rather than an emergency cesarean.  The diet
aids Dexatrim, etc, take advantage of the side effect of the decongestant
phenylpropanolamine, which is anorexia.  You are using good clinical
judgement here.  Just another example of why we should not have hard and
fast rules in this profession, IMHO.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]