Hiya EmmyJo,
Felt I had to post, as I have just gone through exactly the same. But firstly, congratulations on the arrival of your LO!You're doing a great job!
My ds is now 5 1/2 weeks, so we're a little further down the line.
I also started using nipple shields in the early days (due to bleeding, weeping nipples) on the advice of my midwife, and have more recently also been topping up feeds with expressed milk in a bottle (I refused to top of with formula) due to slow weight gain.
With the nipple shields, I found the only way to wean ds off, was to go cold turkey. That was after using the shields for about 3 weeks, as I was in so much pain without them.
In terms of technique to help him come to terms with the bare boob, I found that by holding my boob near to the areaola (on the boob, rather than closer to the nipple iyswim), bringing bubs head to the boob, then quickly shoving it in his mouth when it opened, and then holding it there, whilst supporting his head at the boob, eventually he got the hang of sucking from the boob. I saw it as giving him a helping hand!
We did have a rough couple of days of him wailing, and me feeling really upset and frustrated, but with perseverance, and a calmer attitude (lots of deep breaths, and support) things started to get a little easier, and they are still getting easier each day.
It is hard for the babes, I think, as they get used to sucking from a big plastic thing, and i guess the natural boob just feels very different- plus, they have to work a lot harder for it!
But I know how upsetting it can be, and feel for you. On the upside, they get more milk from you without the shields, so it's definitely worth it.
We're still topping up with expressed milk from a bottle, and I do find that ds has a poorer latch for it, on the boob feeds which follow the bottle but I help him as much as I can, and try to feed as much as possible from the boob, to try and keep my supply up too.
He's still so young, and you're still learning, too, so stick with it, but if it all feels too much, then I would say keep using the shields until you feel strong and calm enough to wean him off, and definitely do'nt beat yourself up over it.
I chose a time when I knew I could just hole up in bed, hubby brought me my food, soothed my tears, took bubs to calm him when he wailed, and in the end, we muddled our way through it.
It'll take a bit of determination, but from my experience it is possible! and remember to follow your gut instinct as to when a good time to do it is.
Let us know how it goes