So I’ve been using nipple shields since day 5 on my now 5 week old due to him being unable to latch properly to begin with. For the past few days I’ve been trying to wean him off the shields and have done somewhat successfully. He will now latch and feed no problem without the shields. But at the end of some feeds he will start crying or at other times show signs of wanting to feed but I’ll offer the breast and the crying starts. In these instances I offer the shield again which soothes him and he falls asleep very quickly.
So the issue I have is he will do a full feed on my bare nipples but when he needs/wants comfort / non nutritive suckling he will only do it on the nipple shield. I’ve started to just put the shield in his mouth not attached to me to soothe him and he quickly falls asleep. I’ve tried with a dummie but he rejects it. So my issue is I have to hold the shield in his mouth until he falls asleep but would be easier if he would take a dummie so I don’t have to just sit there holding the shield to his mouth until he sleeps. Any advice ?