Nipple Shield | My Site

Who May Need a Shield?

Recommendations if nipple shield is initiated
- Nipple shield use warrants a mother to start pumping
- Mother should pump after bringing infant to breast
- Ensure Lactation Consultant is notified when in use

Figure 1. Nipple shield, GSH (own photo)

Place your thumbs on the base of the nipple shield, then flip it halfway inside out
Place nipple shield to breast with nipple in center, the cut out on shield is where infant's nose will be so it is not covered by the plastic
If nipple shield falls off, mother may apply expressed breastmilk or wet nipple shield to help secure it to breast
When bringing infant to breast to feed, aim tip of nipple shield towards infant's roof of mouth, infant's upper and lower lips are turned outward around base of nipple shield
- If clicking is heard, reattempt latch
- Utilizing the curved tip syringe with EBM/DM/ or formula while using nipple shield could increase latch effectiveness

(La Leche League GB, 2016)

Sizing available in XS/16, S/20 mm, M/24 mm, L/27 mm, and XL/30
Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure the diameter (or distance straight across the middle) of the nipple at the base in millimeters. Do not include the areola.
- (Tip:1 cm = 10 mm)
- For example:
  - If your nipple measures 16 mm in diameter, your recommended breast shield size is 20 mm because the 20 mm shield fits nipples up to 17 mm in diameter. If your nipple diameter measures 24 mm, your recommended size would be 30 mm

(ANB Baby, 2021)

(Unimom, 2022)

Figure 3. Curved Tip Syringe, GSH, (own image)

Figure 2. Supply Cart, GSH (own photo)

References

La Leche League GB. (2016). Nipple shield [Images]. https://www.laleche.org.uk/nipple-shields/

Unimom USA. (2022). How to choose the correct breast shield size [Image]. https://unimomus.com/pages/breast-shield-sizes