The best nipple shields for breastfeeding and to breastfeed your baby

Breastfeeding is one of the most important stages of every mother with her baby because, apart from the obvious reason of the benefits of breast milk, she gets the pleasant feeling of having a total connection with the newborn. But during the first weeks there are times when, while we learn to breastfeed, it is normal for cracks to appear and that sweet moment is clouded by the pain that is suffered with each feeding.

Nursing nipple shields are indicated precisely to help the mother to be able to continue breastfeeding her baby and not to abandon breastfeeding due to pain and despair. These are what, in our opinion, are the three best value for money nipple shields that you can find on the market.

The best, our choice: MEDELA Nursing Nipple Shield

This nipple shield is chosen by Amazon users as the first option for its quality and price. 70% of Amazon customers gave this product the highest score, obtaining a 4.4 out of 5. Among the comments we have found about this product, we highlight the one that JoseMa tells us, who conveys the opinion of his wife and He says he is delighted with the nipple shields since "we bought them for the wounds my wife had and it has been a success, since the nipples healed quickly and the child has gotten so used to it that without the nipple shield, he no longer likes it". Miriam explains that the midwife recommended them and that she has not tried them anymore: "It adapts very well to the nipple, they are easy to put on, since as soon as the baby sucks, it empties and they are already fixed."

MEDELA nursing nipple shields are two silicone nipple shields that are available in several sizes to adapt to the mother's breast, and are perfect for problems with flat, inverted, sore, or cracked nipples. It allows the baby to breastfeed despite the difficulties, since it protects the nipples during lactation and helps the baby to suck correctly, offering maximum contact with the skin.

Second option: MAM extra-soft silicone nipple shields

The second option chosen are these MAM brand nipple shields with a special shape that makes the baby feel the touch and smell of his mother. Amazon customers who have bought it give this product a 4.7 out of 5. 67% of the people who have bought it, have rated these nipple shields with the best score. Marta is clear that they are the perfect liners since, according to what she says, "they are the only liners that have worked for me", while Mari Carmen is delighted, in addition to the liners, with the case included since "it is not only used to transport the breast-feeding pads, but also suitable for sterilization in the microwave, something very useful to take anywhere".

The MAM silicone nipple shield gently protects sore nipples and offers support while breastfeeding as babies learn to suckle easily. They are made of extra soft SkinSoft TM silicone, which gives the baby a silky and familiar sensation.

Alternative: Pack of 2 units of Suavinex nipple shields

And the third alternative that stands out for its price and for the positive evaluations of Amazon users are the Suevinex silicone nipple shields. 61% of all Amazon users who have purchased and used the product have given these liners the highest score, obtaining an average rating of 4.2 out of 5. Aline comments that they were given to her as a gift and that she bought spare ones because "I have quite a chest and they fit me very well and, in addition, they are perfect for protecting the nipple and healing it from cracks and wounds" and Mel also rates this product with five stars, insisting on how cheap it is: "It is highly recommended and one of the cheapest on the market".

These 2 units of nipple shields are standard size and allow the baby to feel and smell the mother's skin, since they are made of ultra-fine silicone. It has a hygienic polypropylene box to transport or store them when they are recently sterilized.

How to choose a liner and what to consider before buying one?

When choosing a liner, the main thing is to keep in mind that the decision to use them has been suggested by lactation staff faced with a situation or situations that make breastfeeding a problem.

Once we are clear about the suitability of its use, it is important to take into account the following points:

What is a nipple shield?

Nipple shields are nipples normally made of silicone, very thin in thickness and used to cover the nipple when there are certain problems when breastfeeding a baby . They are placed on the chest when you are going to breastfeed, protecting the nipple and allowing lactation to continue in the most similar way possible to direct breastfeeding.

What is a liner used for?

First of all, it is very important to bear in mind that you have to have the liner only when you really need it, and not use it at the first difficulty, since if misused they can cause more problems than benefits.

Midwives and lactation consultants will be the ones who will diagnose difficulties in breastfeeding and recommend the use of nipple shields when, normally, some of the following conditions occur. the following circumstances:

How do you use a nipple shield?

If the nipple shields are placed incorrectly, the baby will move them every time he moves, so it is important to know how to position them perfectly if you do not want to breastfeed with setbacks. Some recently purchased nipple shields come wrapped in a kind of oil that serves as a preservative, so it is very important to sterilize them before they touch the baby's mouth. Therefore, we must boil them for a few minutes and rinse them very well, that is, sterilize them.

Liners should only be used when really necessary, as misused can cause more harm than good

The best thing to do is to turn the nipple shields around before applying them to the breast to get a better grip and to avoid discomfort for either the mother or the baby, so try to make a vacuum with the breast when placing them. The prominent part should be placed on the nipple in such a way that it is centered and does not rub. The main thing is that they are well attached and centered so as not to damage the nipple.

What types of liners are there?

Before beginning to explain the types of liners that exist on the market, it must be clarified that at no time will milk production be affected by their use, since today they have nothing to do with those that existed years ago and that gave them a very bad name.

The nipple shields that we currently find on the market are made of fine silicone and very soft and have nothing to do with the rigid and bulky nipple shields that prevented normal suction and, therefore, Therefore, it decreased milk production.

According to their composition, they are classified as:

Why is it recommended to use nipple shields while breastfeeding?

Nipple shields are mainly used to help the baby to better attach to the mother's nipple when they have latch-on problems, being a fundamental aid for premature babies, who still do not have much strength to be able to suck breast milk.

Silicone nipple shields are increasingly in demand because latex causes allergic reactions in mothers and babies

They are also very helpful when the mother has inverted or flat nipples, because this way the baby will be able to latch on to the breast better and feed. In addition, it helps those cracks that usually appear in the first days of breastfeeding not cause so much pain at the time of breastfeeding the baby.

Why is the use of nursing pads important?

Leakage is normal and frequent when you are breastfeeding your baby. These losses are always involuntary and will appear at any time of all the months (even years) that lactation lasts. For this reason, it is very important to have absorbent discs that will prevent clothes from getting wet with milk. These discs are placed inside the bra.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Liners

The advantages of using liners are, among others, the following:

But the use of liners also has its disadvantages:

How to stop using the nipple shields?

When you decide not to use the nipple shields anymore while breastfeeding, you have to take into account that the baby will notice the difference and that it is likely that he will reject the nipple. For this reason it is good to do it little by little and take advantage of a moment when the baby is distracted while breastfeeding, removing the nipple shields "at times" several times for a few days until the baby gets used to it.

Do nipple shields cause gas?

One of the reasons for insisting on fitting the nipple shields correctly is because it can cause gas in the baby, although it is not the nipple shield itself that causes gas, but the nervousness of the baby when noticing that not enough milk arrives. By sucking more and not milk coming out due to having the nipple shield incorrectly positioned, what he will swallow is air and that will cause stomach pain and the possibility of vomiting the milk

Which are the most recommended nipple shields on the market?

There are several brands that come with different designs, the main manufacturers being Chicco, Avent and Medela, which have all the measurements and a excellent quality.

With this little buying guide on nipple shields, you are one step closer to getting the breast-feeding nipple shield you need to be able to continue breastfeeding your baby.