Fletch - thats why they "say" the Avent ones are better - becasue they allow more contact with mums skin so the baby thinks there is no shield there. Helps with hormones and milk production and all that.
I think its great some mums have got on and said that they used shields fora long time. They aren't the best things for baby, but for goodness sakes - if it meansthe difference between breastfeeding and bottle feeding for some mums - so be it!
Wheatie - the only reason its a pain is cause if you go out and you expect to feed while you are out more than once, they need to be cleaned between feeds. I used to wash it withsoapy water maybe once/twice a day, andevery other time it was just cleaned using really hot, hot water. Then when I did a batch of sterlizing I would chuck it in there, just to be on the safe side. I used to have to feed Jenna in the car alot at netball and football, soI wasn't too keen on the grubby fingers thing.
But they are great, and they should help if used correctly