What is a nipple shield? A nipple shield is is a thin and small silicone device that goes over the nipple and areola when breastfeeding. It looks kind of like a hat. There are two types of nipple shields contact (photo on left) and regular (photo on right).
When would a nipple shield be helpful? A nipple shield is helpful for premature babies, babies with shallow latches due to roof level and ties, or for mamas with severely inverted nipples that can’t be corrected with a pump or latch assistant tool.
What are some disadvantages to a nipple shield?
A nipple shield can sometimes give the illusion that your problem is solved without addressing the real issue.
Weaning from a nipple shield can be quite lengthy.
Nipple shields can cause low supply and/or milk transfer issues which is why you should be using one under the direction of an IBCLC.
Increased nipple pain and/or damage
Preference by infant to taste or sensation of shield
What is the proper way to use a nipple shield?
Nipple shield should be washed in hot soapy water after every feeding with it.
Sit the nipple shield on the nipple with the brim turned up and then smooth down the edges of it. If you moisten the edges it helps it stick better.
Make sure you get a good latch with the shield. Baby should open their mouth very wide, the chin should touch your breast and lips should flange out like fish lips.
What kind of nipple shield is best? I highly recommend Medela contact nipple shields but the most important thing is that the nipple shield is made of silicone and is the correct size.
What size nipple shield do I need? Nipple shield comes in various sizes and you want one that suctions to your nipple well.
How do I wean from a nipple shield?
Immediately before breastfeeding baby, hand express or pump just until let-down and then latch baby on.
Start your nursing session with the shield in place. Once the baby is comfortable and feeding well, unlatch, remove the shield, and relatch. Continue to do this reducing the amount of time you feed with the shield in place at each session.
Offer your index or pinky finger nail side down to baby before nursing to suck on for several minutes. This suck-training teaches him to drop his tongue down as he must do with breastfeeding.
Nurse while walking or swaying
Do lots of skin to skin. Try nursing while taking a bath.
Drip expressed breastmilk over your nipple in the corner of the baby’s mouth using a feeding syringe while baby is at the breast.
Use Ice, pump and/or a latch assistant to draw out nipple
Watch your baby’s hunger cues and know when he/she is ready to nurse. Crying is a late sign of hunger and it is difficult to latch a crying, frustrated baby. DO NOT try to nurse a frustrated and unhappy baby.
Sources:
http://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/nb-challenges/wean-shield/
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderw…/…/lvjunjul00p39.html
http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-NS
