are nipple shields safe

Nipple Shields

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Many women are given nipple shields in the early days of breastfeeding.

They can be incredibly helpful when used for the right reasons, however frequently they are unfortunately provided with very little instruction.

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It’s very important that a nipple shield:

  • Fits your nipple/breast properly (getting the correct size for you, and also folding it before putting it on helps!)

  • Helps the baby to achieve a better/deeper latch (latch on more than just the nipple portion of the shield, but also to the areola)

  • Helps ease mother’s pain during latch

  • Is used as a “bridge” toward breastfeeding, and not a permanent solution.

Families need a plan to determine how to use a nipple shield, but also (ultimately) figure out why the baby needs it, or why it’s hard to latch without it. Work with an IBCLC to figure this out!

Pro tip! Nipple shields are clear and hard to find when you need them! Keep them in a container, mug, bowl, or in anything that keeps it easy to find (this also helps if you pet, because they like to steal/chew on nipple shields - so keeping it in a special place can prevent the shield from getting lost/damaged!).

Already using a nipple shield and want to stop?

Sometimes the baby really needs it to nurse, and part of our visit would be to figure out why. Contact me for help and, in the meanwhile, here’s a great article with many great tips - “My ten step process for weaning from the nipple shield” by Rachel O’Brien, IBCLC

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