Wash the shield with hot soapy water, rinse with clean water, dry carefully and store in a clean container. Be sure not to make this a battle with your baby, or they will resist more. Don’t obsess with weaning off the shield to the point that you are unhappy with breastfeeding. As long as your baby is gaining weight well, there is no need to rush into trying to wean them from the shield. Don’t cut down a shield to wean a baby off it — this practice is no longer recommended. The size of shield you use is not the same size as the pump funnel you use. Shields are a closer fit. Many shops will only sell one size and you may have to shop online to get a wider selection.

Flat or inverted nipples: Nipple shields can also be helpful when nipples are flat or inverted for they may make it easier for some babies to latch on to breastfeed, says Dr. Madden. If your baby is getting plenty of milk and feeds are not taking too long, you can carry on using them indefinitely. But if feeds become significantly longer, your baby is not settling after feeds because he is not getting enough milk through the shield and/or you notice that your milk supply is reducing, they are clearly not working and you should stop using them.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. A small percentage of babies are born with tongue/lip ties. In these cases, connective tissue prevents a baby from fully extending their tongue. This makes it difficult for baby to latch properly at the breast. A nipple shield allows baby to continue feeding at the breast using a shallower latch until the tongue/lip tie has been divided. 5. Overactive let-down There is excessive space between the sides of the nipple & nipple shield: More than 2 mm on each side. The shield is too small if mom’s nipple expands and fills the entire tip of the shield or if it pulls through the holes on the tip (ouch!),” Peterson explains. “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.” Other experts have expressed concerns that babies get "addicted" to nipple shields, which makes it harder to breastfeed without them, and may contribute to earlier-than-planned weaning.

It's recommended that you use nipple shields only under the guidance of an IBCLC who can help you find the shield that works best for your baby, resolve the challenges, and provide advice & oversight when ditching the shield. IBCLC care is critical in cases where weight gain or milk supply issues are a concern or when babies continue to cough, choke or gag with the shield. Most nipple shields are designed to be longer, which doesn’t work for women who have nipples that, while not flat, don't protrude a lot, either. Fortunately, many of these women have found their small nipples fit well in Lansinoh's shields.

Log in/register

This is the most common reason for using shields. A mother may only need to use them for a few feeds until her nipples recover. But if sore nipples continue to be a problem, it is important to realise that better positioning of the baby at the breast is the key to successful breastfeeding. Nipple shields can help establish breastfeeding with some babies who seem to have difficulty achieving and/or maintaining attachment to the breast. However, very few benefit from using a nipple shield. Please consult a breastfeeding counsellor or health professional for one-to-one support before you use a nipple shield. A nipple shield can be a temporary solution but not a permanent fix to an underlying problem. They may affect transfer of milk to the baby which may contribute to poor weight gain and health problems for both mother and baby. Your nipple shield will come with instructions you can follow. If you’re working with a lactation consultant, ask them to show you how to put on the nipple shield. How should a nipple shield fit? Conical nipple shields are the most common; the nipple projection is a similar shape to a thimble. Cherry-shaped shields are made by only one company but are a great alternative if your baby can't keep the nipple shield in their mouth while feeding, even with proper sizing, attachment, & positioning. Medela offers a wider range of sizes for its nipple shield sizes, and has a good sizing guide that can help you find the right fit.