Nipple shield (breastfeeding)

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Infant latched on to nipple with nipple shield

A nipple shield is a nipple-shaped sheath worn over the areola and nipple during breastfeeding. Modern nipple shields are made of soft, thin, flexible silicone and have holes at the end of the nipple section to allow the breast milk to pass through.

## History

[edit]

Sterling silver, ivory, and glass nipple shields. Lead nipple shield, left, and glass nipple shield, right. Lead nipple shields would cause lead poisoning.

Before the invention of plastics, nipple shields were made of animal skin, wax, metal, glass, wood or ivory. A 17th-century nipple shield held in Shakespeare's birthplace is made of pewter.[citation needed] Nipple shields were even made of lead, which can cause lead poisoning.[1][2] Older nipple shields were made of latex and harder, thicker plastics, while more recent models are made of silicone.

## Usage

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

* Silicone nipple shield

* Shape inverted before application

* Placing shield

* Shield applied

* Infant starts to latch

* Infant fully latched on

Nipple shields are used in various situations:

* Some mothers have small or inverted nipples which make it difficult for the baby to latch on. Using a shield allows for feeding to progress until the baby's suction draws out the nipple.
* Small, weak or sick babies often have difficulty latching on to the breast. A nipple shield makes latching easier and prevents the baby becoming discouraged.
* Babies who had to be bottle-fed since birth can become used to the bottle teat. Nipple shields feel more like teats, and aid with the transition to breast feeding.
* A mother's nipples can become sore or cracked from breastfeeding. A shield allows the mother to continue breastfeeding until her cracked nipples heal and she improves her latching technique.
* They make it easier to measure the quantity of milk consumed.

Most doctors and lactation consultants stress that nipple shields use should be temporary; the aim is always to return to regular breastfeeding, unless otherwise indicated.

Breast shells may be confused with nipple shields, but shields are intended for use during the act of breastfeeding, whereas breast shells are worn in preparation for breastfeeding.

## See also

[edit]

* Breast shell
* Pasties, a nipple cover used when the breast is otherwise exposed

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gordon, I.; Whitehead, T. P. (1949-10-08). "Lead poisoning in an infant from lead nipple-shields; association with rickets". Lancet. 2 (6580): 647–650\. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(49)91280-5. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 18142694.
2. ^ Kokori, Helen; Giannakopoulou, Christina; Paspalaki, Pinelopi; Tsatsakis, Aristidis; Sbyrakis, Stylianos (July 1998). "An anaemic infant in a coma". The Lancet. 352 (9124): 284. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)03214-0.

## Further reading

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nipple shields (breastfeeding).

* Jan Riordan (2005). Breastfeeding and human lactation. Jones & Bartlett Learning. pp. 396–. ISBN 978-0-7637-4585-1. Retrieved 18 April 2011.

* v
* t
* e

Breastfeeding

Anatomy, physiology
and immunology|

* Anti inflammatory agents in breast milk
* Areola
* Areolar gland (gland of Montgomery)
* Breast
* Breast anatomy
* Breast crawl
* Breast milk
* Breastfeeding and medications
* Dysphoric milk ejection reflex
* Frenulum of tongue
* Galactose
* Human milk oligosaccharide
* Hypothalamic–pituitary–prolactin axis
* Latching on
* Lactation suppression
* Lactiferous duct
* Lactose
* Milk
* Overactive let-down
* Oxytocin
* Passive immunity
* Prolactin
* Prolactin modulator
* Colostrum
* Lactation
* Nipple
* Mammary gland
* Mammary alveoli
* Mammary lobule

Disorders
and difficulties|

* Blocked milk duct
* Breastfeeding difficulties
* Breast engorgement
* Low milk supply
* Fissure of the nipple
* Inverted nipple
* Cracked nipple
* Mastitis
* Nipple bleb
* Nipple vasospasm
* Neonatal jaundice
* Nipple pain in breastfeeding
* Breastfeeding infertility
* Breastfeeding and HIV
* Prolactinoma
* Breastfeeding and mental health

Culture and
support|

* Breastfeeding advocacy
* Breastfeeding in art
* Breastfeeding in Islam
* Breastfeeding in public
* Breastfeeding in the United States
* Breastfeeding organizations
* Breastfeeding promotion
* Child's Right to Nurse Act
* Diana West (lactation consultant)
* History and culture of breastfeeding
* Human-animal breastfeeding
* Human milk bank
* Human milk banking in North America
* International Breastfeeding Symbol
* Jack Newman (doctor)
* International Breast Milk Project
* La Leche League
* Lactation room
* Lactivism
* Mothers' rights
* Pat Shelly
* Amy Spangler
* Mary Rose Tully
* World Breastfeeding Week

Roles|

* Doula
* Midwifery
* Lactation consultant
* Lactation counselor
* List of breastfeeding activists
* Wet nurse

Equipment used
with breastfeeding|

* Breast pump
* Nipple shield
* Nursing bra
* Nursing chair
* Supplemental nursing system

Other topics|

* Baby-led weaning
* Weaning
* Extended breastfeeding
* Nipple confusion
* Breastfeeding and fertility
* Breastfeeding and medications
* Breastfeeding contraindications
* Breastfeeding and mental health

* v
* t
* e

Infants and their care

Health (pediatrics)|

* Baby food
* Birth weight
* Breast pump
* Breastfeeding
* Breastfeeding and medications
* Breastfeeding and mental health
* Bottle feeding
* Colic
* Cradle cap
* Esotropia
* Failure to thrive
* Immunization
* Infant and toddler safety
* Infant bathing
* Infant feeding
* Infant food safety
* Infant formula
* Infant massage
* Infant respiratory distress syndrome
* Infant sleep training
* Neonatal intensive care unit
* Newborn care and safety
* Oral rehydration therapy
* Pedialyte
* Preterm birth
* Shaken baby syndrome
* Soy formula
* SIDS

Development|

* Attachment parenting
* Baby-led weaning
* Baby talk
* Babbling
* Birth defect
* Childbirth
* Crawling
* Gestational age
* Infant visual development
* Irritant diaper dermatitis
* Infant cognitive development
* Infant crying
* Kangaroo care
* Mother
* Nursery rhyme
* Object permanence
* Parent
* Parenting
* Peekaboo
* Play
* Prenatal development
* Prenatal development table
* Teething
* Walking
* Weaning

Socialization and culture|

* Attachment
* Babysitting
* Child abuse
* Child care
* Child custody
* Children's rights
* UN Child rights
* Circumcision
* Foster care
* Grandparent visitation
* Infant swimming
* Milk bank
* Nanny
* Wet nurse

Infant care and equipment|

* Baby bouncer
* Baby gate
* Baby monitor/Hidden camera
* Baby powder
* Baby shampoo
* Baby toy
* Baby walker
* Bib
* Baby swing
* Baby transport
* Bassinet
* Car seat safety
* Child vehicular heat stroke deaths
* Cloth diaper
* Cradle board
* Diaper
* Diaper bag
* Baby wipes
* Haberman Feeder
* High chair
* Infant bed (American 'crib' and 'cradle', British 'cot')
* Infant carrier
* Infant clothing
* Pacifier
* Playpen
* Stroller
* Supplemental nursing system
* Swaddling
* Swim diaper
* Teether
* Travel cot

Other topics|

* Baby shower
* Babywearing
* Child neglect
* Closed adoption
* Cry room
* Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
* Infant ear piercing
* Open adoption
* Prenatal cocaine exposure
* Neonatal withdrawal syndrome
* Parental child abduction
* Parental responsibility
* Parenting plan
* Paternity
* Paternity fraud

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template