Nipple shields are a great tool in that they keep the baby feeding at the breast,” Peterson says. “When a baby has a good latch and good milk transfer, pumping after feeding and/or topping off won’t be needed. Other times shields are particularly helpful is if a baby is born early or has low tone or oral motor weakness; the shield helps this babies feed more effectively and fatigue less.” Nipple shields are useful for women who are having issues getting their babies to latch on. ‘The baby may find it hard to latch on if there are flat or inverted nipples, as the nipple is just not prominent enough for them to grasp by their mouths,’ says Dr Lee. The nipple itself is designed to allow a consistent, but not too strong, flow of milk and has air holes to prevent gas bubbles from being ingested by a nursing infant—which can lead to colic, among other conditions. Reviewers rave that the Haakaa nipple shield suctioned well to their breasts, and was great for preemies, babies with latch issues, and moms with painful nipples alike. Breast Feeding Essentials: Silverette cups are easy and comfortable to use-no other cream or lotions are needed. In addition, SILVERETTE is the lightest healing cup available: one cup weighs only 0.1 oz.

Before you decide to buy a nipple shield, The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) recommends trying the following:The Original Nipple Protector Sheild for Nursing Newborns: SILVERETTE are the ORIGINAL silver nursing cups and breast shields that fully licensed silversmiths have crafted in Italy to provide sore nipples relief. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 requires textiles-based products to be tested against a list of 1,000+ chemicals, to limit those which may be harmful to human health. Certification focus: #ProductSafety and #ChemicalsUsed. A tongue-tie is a condition in which a tight band of tissue tethers the bottom of the tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth, making it difficult for a baby to properly latch onto a nipple while breastfeeding. The latch of babies with tongues ties is unusually shallow, causing immense discomfort and pain for mothers and frustration for babies. Nipple shields are easier for babies with tongue ties to latch onto, and they also protect the mother’s nipple.

Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England. All Rights Reserved.The Forest Stewardship Council certified products support responsible forestry, helping keep forests healthy for future generations. Breastfeeding is pleasurable for mother and baby and should not be painful for the mother, says Dr Lee. If your midwife has given you the go-ahead to use nipple shields, follow the manufacturers instructions, which should read like this: The patented design of the Haakaa Nipple Shield puts space between your nipple and your baby’s mouth, making it ideal if you are experiencing nipple soreness or have a baby who bites down while nursing. With a butterfly shape that suctions to your areola, the Haakaa Nipple Shield resembles the nipple on a bottle and works with all breast sizes. The symmetrical design and anti-slip ridges on the outer edges make the nipple shield easy to hold down while a baby latches.

For a baby to breastfeed properly, they must be correctly positioned at the breast, and have correct attachment, with the whole nipple in their mouth, including the areola, says Dr Lee. If breastfeeding is correct, the baby will have their mouth wide open, with the lower lip curled outwards and their face resting against the breast. Holding the nipple shield facing towards you, with your thumbs either side of the teat, bend the rim of the shield as if you were going to turn it inside out, but stop halfway. Nipples may also become sore as they are constantly becoming wet and dry, due to frequent feeds and sometimes leaking milk. You and baby feeling comfortable goes hand-in-hand with finding the correct nipple shield size. If you have the incorrect size, you may experience more pain, and baby might not get a great feed. Be sure to buy your correct size to ensure you both feel extra comfortable. To determine your nipple shield size, grab a ruler or measuring tape and measure the diameter of your nipple at the base, but be sure to not include the areola and measure in millimeters. If you find yourself confused, just remember that 1 centimeter is equivalent to 10 millimeters.The NUK Barely There Nipple Shield has a triangular design with raised ridges around the base that both stimulate milk flow and help the nipples to stay in place. Moms with inverted nipples say that hard nipple shields can be difficult to keep in place, but the NUK Barely There Nipple Shield, which is made from soft, pliable silicone, holds suction well. Mothers with large breasts also praised the product.