Another post on nipple shields. During my 16+ years as a pp nurse I HATED nipple shields. Our unit stocked those old terrible rubber 21/2 inch long kind, and they were pulled out by a couple of offenders (catch the br feeding crime thread?) routinely to solve any breastfeeding problem. They NEVER solved the problem, only made more, and if I had a mother using one for my patient I always gently steered her away from the shield and helped the baby latch on without it. While attending the 5 day UCLA class I saw the thinner, smaller silicone shield. And the JHL edition on nipple shields really made me take a second look. I have concluded that they can be useful for some mothers, and though perhaps while I am with her I can help the baby latch on, I won't always be there, it will be another nurse or the mom on her own. The lactation program at my hospital has been up for about 18 months now and our policy is that any mom discharged using a nipple shield will return with the baby for a weight check within 2-3 days and then weekly as needed. The moms are informed this is because of the chance of lowered milk supply or lowered milk transfer with the use of the shield, they are also told the shield is usually a temporary measure to be used for a few days, weeks, or months. We are developing a consent/teaching form. We keep the shields in our locked LC supply closet. So far we have had about 10-12 moms using a shield and not one problem with a baby's weight gain. Only one mom used the shield for months and is still using it, and avoids the one LC who was pushing her to get off of it. Recovering from end-of-vacation, back-to-work shock, after a lovely week skiing with dh and the kids and hot tubbing/swimming every night. My genius hubby threw 5 snowsuits and assorted cold weather gear into a huge clean plastic trash can, put it into the minivan and away we went, just to Wisconsin, but sure was fun. We also achieve genius status at our house by the suggestion to order a pizza!! Susan Potts RN IBCLC Minnesota ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]