Weaning off nipple shields...a question

[HazzaB]

I fed DS1 for 8 months using shields, but have been desperate to wean DS2 off them as they're such a hassle and I wanted direct contact with my baby. We've finally done it...yay!...and DS2 is now feeding both sides without the shield. He's 11 weeks, and is a big baby..15 3oz a few days ago, was 10 7oz at birth. The thing is that he now seems to feed incredibly quickly - about 5 mins on one side and sometimes only 3 mins on the second side. I always offer the second side. My boobs feel drained after a feed and he seems satisfied. Can be a bit fussy but it usually seems to be wind or tiredness. If I try to get him to feed for longer, he gets fed up. My question is whether this is normal at this stage? I don't really know as DS1 was fed exclusively with shields. Has DS2 just speeded up and become much more efficient as we're no longer using the shield? Is this time too short? Should I try to get him to feed for longer? I don't know what his weight gain is going to be like without the shields as we've just come off them. So far, nice wet nappies. Probably there's no problem and I'm just paranoid about going bare breasted without the shields!
I should point out that he does feed a bit longer at night when there's more peace and quiet and his older brother isn't causing havoc!
Thanks for your thoughts experienced bfers who haven't used shields...

They do get quite incredibly efficient as they get older, and it's possible he is more efficient without the shields. He seems to be going on quite nicely, so I would try to put away your worries until after the next weighing (esp if you feed on demand, 'cos if he eats less at each sitting he'll just eat more frequently).

It sounds like he's fine but is just more effiicient without the shields which does make sense I guess. My DS was a much bigger and hungrier baby than DD and fed much more quickly, I could never believe he'd had a full feed but the weight went on so he must have done!
Well done for getting off the shields, I used them at first and hated them too!

Thanks for the reassurance! I do feed on demand, so guess he will go more frequently if he needs to. I'll see how we're going at the next weighing....hopefully it's nothing to worry about.