I would not clip back shields. Silicone edges are too sharp and may scratch baby's palate. Once the initial problem is corrected (ie short nipples everted, baby grown stronger and more able to pull out nipples and maintain latch, oral-motor function more coordinated, etc) baby should be able to latch without shield. The trick is to figure out what the problem is which prevents normal feeding and also to discern when it's getting better. Then you can begin to pull off shield a few min. into the feed, or to stuff a tiny piece of damp cloth up under shield before putting it on. Baby sucks unsuccessfully with shield on, breasts is offered with (hopefully) abundant supply and is more accessible. Try nursing strike techniques: darken room, quiet environment, baby sleepy, not too hungry, relaxed. Side lying, etc. But until the baby recovers or the nipple issues are compensated for or remediated, baby may not be able to nurse normally. If the bottom jaw recedes and the tongue is short, I would try to tip head back more, jamming the jaw into the breast so baby gets more of the tissue below the nipple in a deep latch. I don't know and rather doubt that a shield would help this problem. The tongue is used to press the nipple up against the hard palate to press the bolus of milk toward the throat. It must also be able to trough and organize the milk so it doesn't spill over and cause choking. If the tongue is short, it cant do those things and I don't know why elongating the nipple would help compensate for that. Anyone else got any ideas on this one? This I would handle by altered positioning and hoping baby grows and tongue does too. If it's tethered, maybe a frenotomy would help it extend. Barbara Barbara Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC Private Practice, Austin, Texas Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html