Quantcast
Channel: Baby Gooroo » Amy Spangler
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 11

Nipple Shields: When & How To Use Them

0
0

Breasts and nipples come in all shapes and sizes. Women with small breasts typically make just as much milk as women with large breasts. And most babies, if given the chance, will learn to breastfeed on their mother’s breasts. While breast size and shape seldom affect a mother’s ability to produce milk (although unusually shaped breasts can signal an underlying problem), nipple size and shape (everted, flat, or inverted) can make breastfeeding easier or harder for some babies. A nipple shield is a thin silicone device that covers the nipple and the areola (the darker part of the breast around the nipple). It is designed to aid mothers whose nipple size or shape presents a true obstacle to breastfeeding, by mimicking an everted (protruding) nipple.

Try the pinch test
The easiest way to determine if your nipples are flat or inverted, and whether a nipple shield may help your baby to latch on and breastfeed, is to perform a “pinch test.” Place your thumb and finger on the areola. Your thumb and finger should be near, but not touching, the base of the nipple. Gently press your thumb and finger together. When gently pinched, an everted nipple will protrude or stand out, a flat nipple will remain flat, and an inverted nipple will retract or sink in. Truly inverted nipples are rare. Even more rare are mothers with two inverted nipples. If you find that you have a flat or inverted nipple and your baby is unable to latch on effectively, seek help from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), WIC peer counselor, or La Leche League leader. These experts can offer some breastfeeding tips that may help your baby to latch on and preclude the need for a nipple shield.

Nipple shields are designed for short-term use. Once your baby is able to latch on and breastfeed effectively (this make take several days or several weeks), a nipple shield should no longer be used.

When to use a nipple shield
If your baby has trouble latching onto your breast and one or both of your nipples are flat or inverted, try using a breast pump before each feeding to gently pull your nipple out. If that approach doesn’t work, consider using a nipple shield.

Babies who might benefit from the use of a nipple shield include:

  • babies of mothers with flat or inverted nipples
  • premature babies who cannot sustain a latch
  • babies who prefer a bottle nipple and refuse to breastfeed

How to use a nipple shield
Place the nipple shield in warm water prior to use—a moist shield is more likely to stay in place during a feeding. Some mothers prefer to express a few drops of breast milk onto the back of the nipple shield prior to placing it on the breast.

Hold the nipple shield by the outside edges and gently stretch the shield. Center the stretched shield over your nipple and on your breast, drawing the nipple and areola into the raised portion of the shield.

Some nipple shields have a “cut-out,” while other shields are completely round. If you are using a shield with a “cut-out,” position the shield, so that the cutout is beneath your baby’s nose.

Tickle your baby’s nose with your shield-covered nipple. When he opens his mouth wide, gently bring him toward your breast. If necessary, hold the nipple shield in place with your thumb and finger.

Once your baby is able to latch on and breastfeed effectively, a flat or inverted nipple will gradually protrude (evert) and will likely stay everted (if only for the duration of the feeding). A nipple shield can be used at the start of a feeding and then removed once your baby starts to suckle and swallow or throughout the feeding. Mothers of babies who are unable to achieve a good latch typically use a nipple shield at the start of each feeding, then after a minute or two, they remove the shield and offer the breast without the shield. Try this approach with each breastfeeding until your baby is able to latch on without the shield.

What size nipple shield to use
Nipple shields, like babies, come in a variety of sizes. Your health care provider, lactation consultant, or breastfeeding counselor will help you choose a nipple shield that is the right size for you and your baby. You will know that you are using the right size if both your nipple and the shield covering it fit into your baby’s mouth. If the shield is too large, your baby will have difficulty maintaining a proper latch and will be more likely to gag. If your nipple touches the top of the raised portion of the shield (the crown), the shield is too small. Most newborns do best with a size “small” nipple shield.

How to clean and care for nipple shields
Care for a nipple shield the same way you care for other breastfeeding equipment. After each use, rinse the nipple shield in cold water, then wash in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Store in a clean, dry place.

Nipple shields and milk supply
In the past, nipple shields were made out of thick rubber—a stark contrast to the thin, silicone shields mothers use today. Rubber shields reportedly interfered with milk removal. The more milk a baby removes from the breast, the more milk a mother makes. In theory, any device that interferes with milk removal will also lead to a decrease milk supply. While thin, silicone shields are less of a concern, all nipple shields are designed for short-term use. Once your baby is able to latch on and breastfeed effectively (this make take several days or several weeks), a nipple shield should no longer be used.

Be sure to talk with your health care provider before using a nipple shield. Too often, nipple shields are used as a substitute for encouragement and support. If you and your health care provider decide that a nipple shield is needed, be sure to weigh your baby frequently (at least once a week) while using the shield. Because a nipple shield can interfere with milk transfer in some babies, regular weight checks will help ensure that your baby is getting enough to eat.

This content has been excerpted from Breastfeeding, A Parent’s Guide. Click here to download an e-version of Amy Spangler’s book.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 11

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images