Marie: I would be very interested in any data that you have that substaniates milk loss with nipple shields...while haveing heard this for years I have not seen anything on paper. I have also heard of its use as a homemade obturator but have not done so myself. I think different devices become "in" in different places... In one area that I lived here was one hospital who sent EVERY mother home with pump and finger feeding..... The device is neither good nor bad...it rests in how it is used! patrcia