I nursed my son for 10 months (now 3) and I never knew about nipple shields. My daughter was born at 31.4 weeks and is still in the NICU. Thankfully she is doing well. I have been pumping for 5 weeks round the clock, but also breastfeed her twice a day. She actually latched on no problem, but recently she started fighting the breastfeeding a bit more so the Lactation consultant gave me a nipple shield to help her not fight breastfeeding as much (since she was born premature, they are afraid of anything that will cause her to burn calories). Well, ever since I used the nipple shield, she nurses easily, does not fight it and is gaining a ton of weight. So, of course, I am understand the need to use it. I am just wondering if it is impossible to wean babies off the shield later or if I am just going to have to use the nipple shield for the next year. Frankly, the most important thing to me is that my daughter gets breast milk as long as possible. I just wanted to get others opinions on long term use of a nipple shield. Thanks!!!
Heather