The Original Silver Nursing Cups - Nipple Shields for Nursing Newborn - Newborn Essentials Must Haves - Soothe and Protect Your Nursing Nipples - 925 Silver (L)

Product Information

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. 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.

These are fitted over each breast and put pressure around the areola to draw the nipple out,’ says Dr Lee continues. 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. The nipple shields come in three sizes—16 millimeters, 20 millimeters, and 24 millimeters—to fit various nipple sizes. Made of food-grade silicone, the nipple shields have perforated ridges on the base where the nipple meets the areola, allowing for a comfortable fit.

Once you decide to wean from the nipple shield, you can try removing the shield during a feeding earlier and earlier each time so baby can get an idea of what it’s like without it. The latch of babies with tongues ties is unusually shallow, causing immense discomfort and pain for mothers and frustration for babies. Reviewers note that the nipple shield is slightly more pliable than others, allowing your baby to get a more comfortable latch. However, as the baby has got used to the artificial teat of the bottle, using a nipple shield may help encourage the baby to latch on at the breast.

Alternatively, they may be useful for a mother who is experiencing cracked or sore nipples from breastfeeding. That’s why a nipple shield can really aid a breastfeeding mom with small, flat, or inverted nipples. Mothers who had babies with tongue ties rave that the Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shields feel the closest to not wearing anything at all, and the shields helped moms continue to breastfeed, even when they were ready to give up. The shield is too large if there is lots of space between mom’s nipple and the shield, or if baby is unable to latch onto the nipple and areola.A nipple shield can really help with latching problems by providing the perfect base for your baby to latch onto, while at the same time regulating the flow of milk. Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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. You may need a nipple shield if you have flat or inverted nipples, your little one has a tongue-tie, your baby was born premature, or if you simply are sore from breastfeeding.

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. The nipple shields come with a case so they'll stay clean if you need to toss them into your diaper bag. Nipple shields act as a barrier between the baby's cheek and maternal skin, and so may interfere with these natural processes. If the milk let-down reflex is disturbed, the mothers’ breasts may become engorged with milk, causing breast pain. Breastfeeding is pleasurable for mother and baby and should not be painful for the mother, says Dr Lee.

When a baby has a good latch and good milk transfer, pumping after feeding and/or topping off won’t be needed.