Many breastfeeding mothers have heard of a nipple shield. Your local target or Walmart typically carries them, and many hospitals hand them out to new moms without a second thought. So, what is a nipple shield, and when might you use one?A nipple shield is a piece of silicone you put over your nipple to relieve discomfort and/or help baby latch better. The end of the shield has holes for your milk to come out.
Nipple shields can help a struggling new mom with latch issues or one who has had serious nipple trauma. However they are not a one size fits all solution; in many cases they are simply a band-aid masking a bigger issue.
While suggesting a nipple shield to a new mother may seem like helpful advice, nipple shields should only be used under the supervision of an IBCLC. The nipple shield is a tool to assist in breastfeeding, but you still need to find the root cause of your nursing issues.
There are downsides to nipple shields. Nipple shields have the potential to restrict milk flow, and this can cause weight gain issues with some babies. Babies who are struggling to transfer effectively will struggle more with weight gain using a shield as they cannot get all the milk. If your baby is struggling to transfer you need to figure out why. Over time the shield may help your baby latch, but you’ll have other struggles with weight gain. Using a shield for a long period of time can sometimes impact supply.
Nipple shields can also be helpful in some situations. Moms who have nipple damage can use one temporarily to help their nipple heal. Babies with different needs like preemies, for example, may be able to latch better with a shield. A mother's anatomy may also be as such that a shield can help a baby latch better for a a period of time.
The big takeaway with nipple shields is that they can be a useful tool, however they should not be used without the supervision of an IBCLC. The IBCLC can help make sure you have addressed the underlying issues that caused you to need the shield in the first place and also assist you in weaning off the shield as your little one gets older.
