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. 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. Reviewers note that the purifyou nipple shields are durable and make a marked improvement in difficult breastfeeding experiences, including helping baby get the proper latch.

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. Nipples may also become sore as they are constantly becoming wet and dry, due to frequent feeds and sometimes leaking milk. 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.The Forest Stewardship Council certified products support responsible forestry, helping keep forests healthy for future generations. 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. There are many reasons why a person will need to use a nipple shield during breastfeeding. In fact, many new moms use nipple shields during the early days after birth to help with soreness and feeding. 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. New mums know only too well that learning to breastfeed takes time and patience in those precious early days after delivery,’ says Dr Lee. ‘Mums are tired, often after a long, painful labour and delivery and are not used to the 24-hour demands of a tiny baby.

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.” Place the nipple shield over the nipple, being careful to place it centrally, and covering the hole at the tip of the teat with a finger. 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. Roll the rim of the nipple shield down over the breast and press firmly onto the breast. Keep the holes in the teat covered while you do this, as it creates suction and will draw the nipple up into the teat. 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.

Nipples may also become sore as they are constantly becoming wet and dry, due to frequent feeds and sometimes leaking milk. ‘It’s important to keep nipples clean, and dry,’ says Dr Lee. ‘Using breast pads helps absorb any leakage. Some studies suggest the use of aloe vera gel or lanolin creams can be helpful.’ Silicone is a great material for a nipple shield as it’s water-resistant and flexible, allowing the shield to fit perfectly and comfortably. It’s also more durable, so the shield should last throughout your breastfeeding journey. And, when compared to a material like plastic, it’s more eco-friendly, too.