Hate nipple shields

So I have flat nipples so when I was in the hospital the lactation consultant gave me the nipple shield and didn’t help me much more than that. I hate it! It slides everywhere and it’s messy. I want to breast feed so bad without it and sometimes he will latch with out it but gets confused and stops. So now I barely breastfeed and just pump and give him a bottle.. I don’t want to lose my supply though. We can’t afford to see a lactation consultant. Just getting frustrated and stressed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.