When you really want to breastfeed but you find it complicated, nipple shields can help. You can handle a long list of breastfeeding challenges through the use of shields.
Most moms use them as a temporary aid on the way to bare breastfeeding, but others have found them helpful on a more long-term basis.
A nipple shield is simply a cover for the nipple and areola of a nursing mother. It mimics the shape of the female breast. Usually made of silicone, it is used for a myriad of situations, including nipples that are sore, inverted or cracked, and infants who have difficulty achieving a good latch on the breast.
Because the baby doesn’t stimulate the breast in the same way when a woman uses a nipple shield, some lactation specialists worry that it may result in reduced milk supply. There are ways, however, to deal with any issues that arise. Most experts say that if a nipple shield will keep moms from giving up on breastfeeding, it is worth any minor problems that may occur.
Our Top Picks
- Designed for skin-to-skin contact
- Available in three sizes: 16mm, 20 mm and 24 mm
- BPA free
- Online access to product instructions, online community, and a lactation specialist
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- Designed for maximum skin-to-skin contact
- Available in small and standard sizes
- BPA free
- Pack of two
- Affordable price point
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- Shipped in a reusable storage bag to cut back on plastic
- Free of BPA, BPS, latex, lead and phthalates
- Pack of three
- Good customer service
- Designed for skin-to-skin contact
- Middle price range
- Designed for skin-to-skin contact
- Available in three sizes: 16mm, 20 mm and 24 mm
- BPA free
- Online access to product instructions, online community, and a lactation specialist
-
- Designed for maximum skin-to-skin contact
- Available in small and standard sizes
- BPA free
- Pack of two
- Affordable price point
-
- Shipped in a reusable storage bag to cut back on plastic
- Free of BPA, BPS, latex, lead and phthalates
- Pack of three
- Good customer service
- Designed for skin-to-skin contact
- Middle price range
*All product links in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com. Scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
History of Nipple Shields
Nipple shields have been used since the 1500s, according to an article published in Breastfeeding Medicine. Originally the devices were made from wood, metal or animal skins and were fitted with some type of rubber teat. Researchers assume that mothers used them for roughly the same purposes then as now.
Modern nipple shields were made of rubber or latex until the development of silicone offered a better option. Although a few moms still opt for shields made of natural latex rubber, this type of shield can be very hard to find because of the prevalence of silicone in this market.
Why Use Nipple Shields
Here are the main reasons why some moms choose to use nipple shields.
- Flat or Inverted Nipples.
During nursing, babies need to be able to grasp the nipple and pull it so that it touches the roof of their mouths. This may be difficult for your baby if your breasts lack a protruding nipple. Up to one third of first-time mothers may have flat or inverted nipples.
- Engorged Breasts.
If your breasts become extremely round and tight because they are so filled with milk, your baby can have a hard time latching on. Usually, this is a temporary situation that occurs at the beginning of breastfeeding.
- Latch Issues.
Babies may have difficulty getting a good latch if they are premature or have very small mouths. In most cases, babies who have trouble getting a good latch get better as they grow.
- Tongue Ties
Babies with tongue ties also may have latch difficulties. Doctors can snip a tongue tie under local anesthetic, but moms often need nipple shields as a stop gap measure.
- Sore or Cracked Nipples
When you are first beginning to breastfeed, your nipples may become very sore and even crack and bleed. Nipple shields can relieve some of the pain so that you can continue to nurse.
- Overactive Letdown
When a mom’s milk flows at a too-fast rate, her baby can start to choke and become discouraged from feeding. A nipple shield can control the flow into baby’s mouth, although the milk is likely to leak around the shield.
Resources for Nursing Difficulties
Moms who have difficulty breastfeeding their babies should consider consulting a lactation specialist. The gold standard is a practitioner known by the initials IBCLC for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. You can look for an IBCLC here.
Some areas lack certified consultants, but many doctors and nurses are well-versed in breastfeeding practices. In the United States, most insurance plans are required to cover breastfeeding equipment and support.
In addition, you can seek help from groups such as La Leche League International or a local group that supports nursing moms. You can also find many breastfeeding resources on the Internet.
Almost every maker of nipple shields recommends that you use them under the guidance of a lactation specialist.
Issues to Watch for When Using Nipple Shields
Nipple shields have one simple benefit. They may enable a mom to continue breastfeeding when otherwise she might quit. When moms use nipple shields properly and monitor baby’s growth, they are completely safe.
Still, several issues can arise with the use of nipple shields. Sometimes nipple shields keep babies from emptying the breasts, which can lead to blocked milk ducts and mastitis, a condition that can be very painful for moms.
In addition, nipple shields are associated with a reduced transfer of milk from mom to infant. Since breasts produce more milk when more is taken, the using nipple shields can adversely impact a woman’s milk supply.
Some women address this issue by pumping after nursing. They can then freeze the milk for supplementing or donate it to a milk bank.
Babies who are using nipple shields during nursing must be monitored carefully for weight gain. Moms also should watch for signs of efficient nursing.
For example, you should be able to hear your baby swallowing. Milk should be visible between the breast and the shield. And the breast should be noticeably softer after feeding.
In addition, babies should be soft and cuddly after feeding. Hands should be open and relaxed rather than being clenched.
You can also gauge babies’ intake by checking their output. Babies who are getting enough milk will produce plenty of wet and poopy diapers.
Look for at least six very wet diapers per day and at least two or three soiled ones. Most breastfed babies have multiple stools a day, in the early days at least.
Weaning From Nipple Shields
Since nipple shields are ideally a temporary solution, most moms will want to transition from using nipple shields to bare breastfeeding. Some babies will balk at feeding without a nipple shield because they have become accustomed to it.
One of the best ways to wean baby away from the nipple shield is to start with the shield and then switch to the bare breast.
Babies often continue without hesitation because they are already in feeding mode. You can do this after you have fed one breast or when you stop to burp your baby.
You can also give your breasts a few quick pumps to start the letdown of milk before you put baby to the breast. The immediate reward may make your baby willing to nurse without the shield.
Some moms have more luck nursing without the shield if their baby is a little sleepy. If your baby is wide awake and ravenous, it might seem like a good time to try, but actually your baby may be more easily frustrated under these conditions. (Think of how you feel when you are “hangry”!) If your baby gets upset, do not continue. Use the shield, and try again another day.
Taking Care of Nipple Shields
Since most nipple shields are made of silicone, the standards for cleaning are fairly uniform. The best practice is to follow the cleaning instructions given with your brand of shields, but here are some general guidelines.
Most nipple shield manufacturers recommend that you boil them for about ten minutes before the first use. Silicone is a very tough substance that shouldn’t be harmed by boiling.
After the initial use, washing shields thoroughly with hot water and soap should do the trick. Most shields can be also be sterilized in the dishwasher.
Since the shield will come in contact with nutrient-rich breast milk, a bacteria-friendly environment will develop if the shield is not properly cleaned.
Choosing Your Nipple Shield
A nipple shield is not a complicated device, so there aren’t going to be giant differences between brands. All the ones on our list are made of silicone and are BPA free.
When deciding which shield to buy, most moms go with a brand they trust. If feel that if they have issues, they will probably be able to get satisfaction. In addition, many top brands have helpful information on their websites.
Sometimes, however, a lesser-known brand works better for a particular mother. In addition, prices may be more reasonable for off-brand shields.
The main thing to realize is that every shield is going to have some satisfied users and some users who are not so satisfied, because each mother’s situation is different. Her infant is different, too. Often moms will have to try more than one shield before finding the right model.
Now let’s take a look at some top-rated nipple shields.
Best Nipple Shields
Medela is a brand that many breastfeeding mothers trust. The company makes a wide range of breast pumps and accessories to help moms be successful at nursing their babies. Medela has been in business for 50 years and is the maker of the top-selling breast pump. The company’s headquarters are in Switzerland. Medela has a free app, My Medela, and you can upgrade it to include consultations with a lactation specialist around the clock.
The Medela Contact Nipple Shield has a cut-out area for baby’s nose. This feature allows skin-to-skin contact and also allows the baby to absorb the smell of mom and her milk.
The company recommends that moms consult a lactation specialist to determine the best size shield for them. The size of the baby’s mouth and the size of the mom’s nipple determine the correct size.
A bit of cream around the outer edge of the shield can help to keep the shield in place, according to the product brochure. Besides the Medela Contact Nipple Shield, Medela also manufactures a full coverage nipple shield. The website does not state where the Medela nipple shields are manufactured.
Pros: Cons:
Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shield
Another leader in the breastfeeding field, Lansinoh has a lot of help for breastfeeding moms available on its website. You can download a free app for your phone that helps with tracking feedings and diaper changes.
For a fee, you can supplement the app with a subscription to Lansinoh’s helpline and get breastfeeding help 24 hours a day.
Lansinoh makes only one style of a nipple shield, a cut-out model that is available in two sizes. The shields are sold in pairs and come with a convenient carrying case.
Lansinoh states that they make their shields with super-thin, soft, flexible silicone, and that they make them in Thailand. The shield should be stored in the case with the nipple up to preserve sterility.
Pros: Cons: Philips Avent Nipple Protector
Philips Avent calls its device a nipple protector rather than a nipple shield, but it is used in the same way as a nipple shield.
The Philips Avent model is also designed to maximize contact between baby and mother, but rather than being cut out only on the top, where baby’s nose goes, it uses a symmetrical cut-out, so that the protector does not have to be placed in a certain position. The nipple protectors are sold in a twin pack.
Philips Avent is another company that many moms trust. Based in England, it burst upon the infant feeding field in 1984 with its innovative, wide-mouthed bottle design. The Philips Avent nipple protectors are manufactured in England. The company website offers some online support and a baby care app called uGrow.
Pros: Cons:Purifyou Nipple Shield
Purifyou Nipple Shields are sold three at a time in a cotton drawstring bag. The company is a family-owned, family-operated business that sells a variety of products for the home.
It does not specialize in breastfeeding products. Their nipple shields are manufactured in China.
The Purifyou shields are oblong. The side pieces help the shield adhere to the breast, while the space above and below the nipple allows for skin-to-skin to skin contact.
Pros: Cons: Momma Bear Nipple Shields
Momma Bear Essentials is a family owned and operated business that offers better value to mothers by bundling products. This bundle includes six nipple shields, three carrying cases and a baby toothbrush.
The Momma Bear nipple shields are oblong in shape. They are made in China.
Pros: Cons:Haakaa Nippleshield
Haakaa is a New Zealand based, family-owned brand that prides itself in providing safe, natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly products for your baby.
All of their products are made and tested in New Zealand under strict quality controls, and with the world’s highest safety standards.
The Haakaa nipple shield is made of super thin silicone to allow for more skin contact between mom and baby. The silicone also warms with mom’s body heat for a more natural feel. There is a cutout on one side for skin-to-skin contact.
When you purchase this nipple shield you get a pack of two along with a handy carrying bag and a protective case.
Pros: Cons:Ameda Nipple Shield
If you are looking for a basic nipple shield, the Ameda Nipple Shield fills the bill. It looks exactly like one would expect. It has a round base and a nipple shape that should accommodate most moms.
If you would like more mom-to-baby contact, the company also makes a shield with a cutout design to maximize skin-to-skin contact.
Ameda is one of the major names in breastfeeding products. Its roots go back to the first hospital-grade electric breast pump, produced in 1942.