If you’re also breastfeeding and have been advised to use nipple shields but aren’t sure how to navigate them, don’t worry: you’re not alone.
Many questions revolve around nipple shields that new breastfeeding mothers ask themselves:
- What exactly are they for?
- How do you choose them?
- How do you put them on?
- How do you remove them when they’re no longer needed?
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about nipple shields, when they’re truly useful, and how to use them correctly.
The most important thing to remember: their use should never be a do-it-yourself decision, but should follow advice from expert figures like a midwife or lactation consultant.
In the meantime, if you want to discover everything about breastfeeding and how to best manage this extraordinary journey, we recommend our course that has already helped thousands of mothers.
What are nipple shields?
Nipple shields are devices shaped similarly to the maternal nipple, made from materials like silicone or rubber.
Let’s start with the basics: they’re not a toy or a fashion accessory for breastfeeding!
They serve to facilitate the baby’s sucking at the breast when there are specific difficulties.
They should be applied to the nipple before the feeding begins and removed at the end.
When they’re truly useful:
- Severe cracks that make breastfeeding painful
- Flat or inverted nipples
- When the baby tries to latch but can’t and slips away
- Latching difficulties in the first days after birth
What they DON’T cause: nipple shields absolutely do not cause gas colic, which is caused by completely different factors.
How to choose the right ones (without complicating your life)
I’ll give you good news right away: choosing nipple shields isn’t as complicated as it seems!
There are only two available sizes:
- Small size (for smaller diameter nipples)
- Standard size (for larger breasts)
Some brands tend to have one more size: S (16 mm), M (20 mm), and L (24 mm).
How to measure your nipple?
Take a measuring tape and measure the nipple’s diameter from the base toward the center. Simple!
The shape: On the market, you’ll find nipple shields in different shapes (rounded, pointed, etc.).
My advice? Don’t get lost in a thousand variants. Start with the standard shape and, if necessary, your midwife will suggest possible alternatives.
What’s important is that they’re made of good quality medical silicone, soft and flexible.
How to put them on: the simple method
Putting on nipple shields is much simpler than many mothers think.
Here’s the step-by-step procedure:
- Prepare the nipple shields: soak them in warm water for a few minutes before use (this makes them softer and more adherent)
- Take the side flaps of each device and open them as much as possible, as if you were turning them inside out
- Place the tip of the nipple shield on the nipple, making sure it adheres well
- Check adherence: it must adhere perfectly without creating air bubbles
If they struggle to adhere, slightly moisten the nipple before applying them.
How to sterilize them (without stress)
Remember that hygiene is fundamental for your health and your little one’s. Let’s see together how to maintain good sterilization without going crazy.
First, we propose the quick microwave method:
- Put the nipple shields in a bowl full of water
- Microwave for 5 minutes
- Let them cool completely before use
The traditional method is similar to how you sterilize bottle nipples:
- Boiling in water for 5-10 minutes
- Drying on a clean cloth
After each sterilization, always check that they’re intact and without cracks or breaks. When you’re not using them, make sure to keep them in their original packaging or in a clean, dry container to minimize contamination.
The truth about silver nipple shields
Many mothers are advised to use them to prevent or heal cracks, but do they really work? The reality is a bit different, let’s see the main reasons.
First of all, silver can have a healing effect, but extremely mild.
The scientific community has not officially expressed opinions on their benefits anyway.
The main problem is that they prevent the breast skin from breathing.
If you have cracks, the best thing is to leave the breast free to breathe between feedings. Silver nipple shields can be comfortable to wear, but don’t expect miracles in healing cracks.
How to remove nipple shields?
Here’s the question almost all mothers ask me: “I can’t breastfeed without nipple shields, how do I remove them?”
The good news is that it can be done! But it takes patience and a gradual approach.
Let’s see a simple strategy for weaning from nipple shields:
- Choose the right moment, for example when the baby isn’t too hungry (so they’re more patient)
- Use positions that favor deep latching, like the mother semi-reclined with the baby belly-down on the chest
- Try one feeding without nipple shields, the next with them, and so on
- Don’t expect to remove them overnight
- Get followed by a midwife or lactation consultant
If your baby has difficulty opening their mouth and latching, in addition to the midwife, the support of a neonatal osteopath can be useful.
By treating the mouth and neck muscles, this professional can improve the quality of latching.
When NOT to use nipple shields
Nipple shields, obviously, are not the magic solution for all breastfeeding problems.
Don’t use them if:
- The baby latches well without difficulty
- You don’t have pain during feeding
- You want to use them “for prevention”
- Someone who isn’t a professional directly following you recommended them
The goal is always direct breastfeeding when possible and when this brings well-being to both the baby and mother. Yes, you’re important too, even though many fundamentalist professionals often forget that you matter too.
Nipple shields are temporary help, not a permanent solution.
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SOURCES
Chow S, Chow R, Popovic M, Lam H, Merrick J, Ventegodt S, Milakovic M, Lam M, Popovic M, Chow E, Popovic J. The Use of Nipple Shields: A Review. Front Public Health. 2015 Oct 16;3:236. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00236. PMID: 26528467; PMCID: PMC4607874.