Nipple Shields

Nipples shields—in their current form—are artificial nipples made of rubber, latex, or silicone. They fit over a nursing mother’s natural nipples to assist in the feeding process.

Nipple shields are introduced for a variety of reasons. The most common of these reasons include:

·      Facilitating latching when a mother presents flat or inverted nipples.

·      Supporting the nursing process for premature infants or infants with suck challenges.

·      Overcoming breast refusal.

·      Assisting in latch challenges due to engorgement.

·      Protecting and/or preventing sore and damaged nipples.

Essentially, a nipple shield negotiates an infant’s approach to the breast, making the nipple more accessible or attractive when the bare nipple has been unsuccessful.

Medela offers a great overview of this tool, its proper use, considerations about use, and general helpful hints. Find that information here.

This tool is nothing new—as mothers have been nursing (and challenged with nursing issues) since the apple fell from the emblematic tree. And in this time mothers (and their breasts) have continued to diversify. Nipple shields are yet another tool available to mothers who face nursing challenges. Although critics are quick to list the potential challenges due to nipple shields, we think it’s most important that every mother is aware of the wide variety of the tools available to assist you in the great effort of nursing and feeding your child.

However, nipple shields are most successful when used with the instruction of a lactation consultant and as a temporary negotiation between infant and breast. When using nipple shields it’s important to evaluate the pros and the cons and also to recognize that your child might need help weaning off the use of the nipple shields.

If you do plan to use or are currently using nipple shields, it’s also good to understand how pumping can complement your efforts and the upcoming weaning from the nipple shields.

For example, when using breast shields it’s often difficult for the child to fully empty a breast of its milk supply. A good way to check this is simply by feeling for breast softening. If, after a nursing session with nipple shields, you still feel hardness or lumps, you will want to pump. This fully emptying will promote more production, an adequate future supply as well as lessen your risk for plugged ducts or infection associated with incomplete extraction.

It may also be helpful to pump a few minutes before you begin nursing with nipple shields. This effort will both elongate the nipple and elicit letdown so your child is immediately met with flowing milk.

*This blog is informed by our resident moms-in-the-know and not by medical professionals. This blog is intended to share the wisdom of experienced moms but never to replace the advice and insight of your doctors. Always consult proper and licensed medical professionals when making any decisions about your health and the health of your children. 

For more information on nipple shields we like the following sources:

Nipple Shield by Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC

http://www.normalfed.com/help/nipple-shield/

Nipple Shields: life-saver, supply -wrecker or just another tool for nursing mothers? by Jenny Thomas, MD, MPH, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM

http://theleakyboob.com/2011/08/nipple-shields-life-saver-supply-wrecker-or-just-another-tool-for-nursing-mothers/

Breastfeeding your premature baby with a nipple shield by Paula P. Meier, R.N., DNSc, FAAN

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/132/breastfeeding-your-premature-baby-using-a-nipple-shield