Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shields are thin silicone covers that sit over your nipple during breastfeeding, helping your baby latch when direct nursing isn’t working. They come in three sizes (16mm, 20mm, and 24mm), and each package includes two shields plus a carrying case. Getting the right fit, placing the shield correctly, and knowing how to protect your milk supply while using one are the keys to making it work.
Choosing the Right Size
Lansinoh offers its shields in 16mm, 20mm, and 24mm. The measurement refers to the inner diameter of the nipple tunnel, the cone-shaped tip your nipple sits inside. To find your size, measure the diameter of your nipple at its base (where it meets the areola), not including the areola itself. The shield should fit snugly around your nipple without compressing it, and your nipple should move freely inside the tunnel during feeding. If the tunnel is too tight, you’ll feel pinching and may restrict milk flow. If it’s too loose, the shield won’t stay in place and your baby will struggle to latch.
A lactation consultant can help you measure and confirm the fit if you’re unsure. Since nipple size can differ between sides, you may need different sizes for each breast, though most people find one size works for both.
How to Apply the Shield
Start by washing your hands. Then turn the shield almost completely inside out, leaving just the tip of the nipple portion flipped inward. This creates a shape that looks like a small sombrero. Press the tip of the inverted shield directly onto your nipple and smooth the brim down flat against your areola. As you release the silicone, it will spring back to its original shape and create gentle suction against your skin. This hold keeps the shield in place during the entire feeding.
Running a little warm water over the shield before applying it can help it stick better and feel more comfortable. You can also express a few drops of breast milk into the tip of the shield before latching your baby. This gives your baby an immediate taste of milk and encourages them to start sucking.
Getting a Good Latch Through the Shield
Position your baby exactly as you would for direct breastfeeding. Their mouth should open wide and take in not just the tip of the shield but as much of the silicone brim (and the areola beneath it) as possible. A shallow latch on just the tip of the shield is the most common problem. It restricts milk flow and can cause nipple pain even with the shield on.
Signs that the latch is working: you can hear or see your baby swallowing, their jaw moves in a deep rhythmic pattern rather than quick shallow flutters, and the feeding feels comfortable for you. If you hear clicking sounds, see the shield collapsing inward, or feel pain, break the suction gently with your finger and try again. The cutout section of the Lansinoh shield should be positioned where your baby’s nose touches your breast, allowing skin-to-skin contact during the feed.
Protecting Your Milk Supply
Nipple shields can reduce the amount of milk your baby extracts per feeding. In one study that measured pumped milk volumes with and without shields, using a shield yielded significantly less milk regardless of shield design. The likely reason is that the silicone barrier reduces the direct breast stimulation that triggers and sustains your milk ejection reflex. Even when researchers used a hospital-grade electric pump designed to optimize stimulation, milk volumes still declined with a shield in place.
This doesn’t mean you can’t breastfeed successfully with a shield, but it does mean you should take a few extra steps. Pumping for 10 to 15 minutes after nursing sessions helps empty your breasts more completely and sends your body the signal to keep producing milk. Monitoring your baby’s diaper output and weight gain is also important. If your baby is producing fewer wet diapers than expected or gaining weight slowly, talk to your pediatrician or lactation consultant about whether supplemental feeding or increased pumping is needed.
Cleaning and Sterilizing
Before using your Lansinoh shields for the first time, sterilize them by placing them in boiling water for five minutes. Make sure there’s enough water in the pot that the shields float freely without touching the bottom or sides, which could cause the silicone to melt.
After every feeding, wash the shield with hot water and soap, then let it air dry completely. You can also place it on the top rack of a dishwasher on a hot cycle. Once a day, sterilize it again by boiling. Between uses, store the clean, dry shield in the carrying case that comes in the package. This keeps it sanitary and easy to grab when you need it, especially when you’re out of the house.
Transitioning Away From the Shield
Most lactation professionals recommend using a nipple shield as a temporary tool rather than a permanent one. Weaning off the shield can take days or weeks, and there’s no single method that works for every baby. The general approach is gradual: give your baby regular opportunities to nurse without the shield, and follow their lead.
Start by spending time in skin-to-skin contact every day without offering the shield. Hold your baby against your bare chest and let them explore. Some babies will surprise you by latching on their own during these sessions. If your baby isn’t ready for that, try starting a feeding with the shield in place and then removing it partway through, either mid-feed on one breast or when switching to the other side. Your baby may continue nursing without it once the milk is already flowing and they’re in a calm, rhythmic feeding state.
Choose relaxed, low-pressure moments for these attempts. A baby who is overtired or very hungry will get frustrated more easily. Try when your baby is drowsy, in a good mood, or just waking from a nap. If they refuse the bare breast, put the shield back on without stress and try again another time. Consistency matters more than any single attempt. Keep offering, and over time most babies will make the transition.