I’m sure you’ve probably heard a lot of controversy surrounding the use of nipple shields while breastfeeding. You’ve probably heard that they can decrease supply, baby won’t transfer as much from the breast, or that baby will become dependent on it. You might also have heard the positive aspects as well. Shields can protect sore nipples, help baby latch onto the breast due to mom’s nipple shape or protrusion, or to help a premature infant latch more efficiently. I can tell you that all these factors can be true; the good and the bad.
Nipple shields can be a very effective tool when used properly and with the right guidance from a lactation specialist. When I was breastfeeding my oldest daughter, she was tongue and lip tied. I did not know this at the time. Breastfeeding was a nightmare for us. It was so painful for me and stressful for her. I described the pain of breastfeeding worse than the pain of childbirth. My nipples were cracked, scabbed, bleeding, infected, etc. You name it, I had it. Every time she cried to eat, I cried because I knew it would be miserable. My poor husband hated seeing me in so much pain but knew I refused to give up on breastfeeding. On a whim, he ran to the store and grabbed me a nipple shield. I used it for a short time, and it was an incredible tool for us. It helped to protect my nipples while she was latched on so I could start the healing process. It also helped her to latch deeper and made feeds less frustrating for her. Now, at the time, this was a “band-aid over a bullet wound.” It was a short-term solution for a long term problem, but it did help to continue our breastfeeding relationship. We did eventually end up finding out about her ties and getting them released.
The point of this story is that the nipple shield helped me to preserve my breastfeeding relationship, but it did not fix it. There is a difference. Whenever there is an issue with breastfeeding, be it on mom or baby’s side, we need to find the root cause and address it. Nipple shields are usually meant to be used short term. They can be very beneficial in helping a preterm baby latch onto a breast that without the shield might not have been possible. They are also a wonderful tool to help moms that have more flat or inverted nipples. They give baby a protrusion to be able to latch onto. The good news is that using a shield can usually be a short-term tool. They can also be a great tool to use to help get baby back to the breast. Babies that develop a preference for a bottle and are refusing the breast will usually respond nicely to a nipple with a shield on it. This is because the shield looks and feels like a bottle nipple. It’s something familiar to them. As with any tool, it is important to consult with a medical professional or lactation specialist and set goals for what is the right timeline for you and your baby specifically and how long the shield should be used. Shields can very easily be used improperly, and this is where the negative connotations come from when we are talking about them. If you have discussed with your lactation professional and have agreed that a nipple shield can be a beneficial tool for you, you can purchase them by clicking on the links below.