Hi, Gracie,

Babies are born to breastfeed, and in a normal, uncomplicated birth they should go to the breast within the first hour after birth. Like all baby animals, they "imprint" in these early feeds. You want them to imprint the normal way of sucking - not imprint a silicone nipple shield. But, like all things, feeding sometimes doesn't go according to plan, for a number of reasons, and in this case, nipple shields can be a useful tool to help you overcome a problem. They are best used with the support of a trained LC or breastfeeding counsellor.
Your baby is acting like a normal 1 week and four day old baby. Babies LOVE to be with mum - you are everything to her - food, comfort, warmth, a familiar voice and smell to help her transition from the womb into the world. She needs her mummy. Sucking feels so soothing and fabulous to her - she would love to be there all day! Baby heaven!
You will probably notice that at the start of a feed she sucks quite vigorously, but by the end of a feed she is snoozing for quite long periods between "butterfly sucks" Yet, confusingly, if you detach her she makes a garb back for the boob as though to say "no, mum, honestly, I'm feeding still!" However, we also know that they get the biggest quantity of milk in say, the first 10 mins after your milk lets down. Breastfeeding for a really long time is great, and there will be times during the day when you have the soapies on and you are snuggled up on the couch with your darling - it's fine to just feed and feed. Other times you might want to shorten it a bit. Because having these really, really long feeds can mean they actually have fewer feeds in 24 hrs. So, sometimes mums find it works for them if they feed from one breast for, say 20 mins, give baby a burp, nappy change, and offer the other breast. She may not want it at all. Or she may just want a few sucks. You may find too, that, when she has had a good long feed you can start to develop some other settling techniques, apart from breastfeeding, to get her to sleep. Often wrapping her tightly (swaddling) and cuddling her or rocking her will recreate those womb like sensations she find so comforting.
Does your little one attach without the nipple shield? YOu might try her straight on the breast for a few feeds - see how it goes. If it is going well, try a few more feeds just on the breast. But the important thing is that you relax, enjoy feeding that she gets plenty of milk to grow. Warm Regards
barb