Nipple Shield

My baby is 11 days old. He has a small mouth and his latch is so painful. The LC at the hospital got him to latch a few times but he doesn’t stay on. Once I got home I got so frustrated trying to constantly get him to latch and stay that I started using a nipple shield. He now nurses perfectly with no trouble whatsoever. However, I’ve read mixed reviews about using them. Anybody else in the same boat? I haven’t spoken to the LC about the nipple shield yet and I’ve continued to try throughout the day not using it but he just won’t go without.