Nipple shields

The essentials

Premature or sleepy babies

Useful when baby struggles to latch or stay latched.

Flat or inverted nipples

Helpful when the nipple shape makes it difficult for baby to latch deeply.

Painful latch

Can help when nipples are sore, cracked, or damaged.

Overactive let-down

Helps babies manage milk flow more easily.

Bridge to breastfeeding

Can be used as a temporary bridge to breastfeeding during latch learning.

Reduced milk transfer

If the shield isn't fitted properly, or if milk supply is borderline, baby might not remove enough milk.

Possible drop in supply

Infrequent breast emptying can signal the body to produce less milk.

Harder to wean off

Babies can become reliant on the shield.

Lack of guidance

Many parents are handed a shield with no follow-up, leading to long-term challenges — though many women breastfeed successfully using nipple shields throughout their journey.

Using a shield successfully

Work with an IBCLC to ensure correct fit and usage, keep monitoring nappy output and weight gain, and use breast compressions during feeds to encourage milk flow. Offer the breast without the shield occasionally, pump if needed to maintain supply, and gradually wean off when baby is ready.