A nipple shield is a thin, flexible silicone cover that fits over your nipple and areola during breastfeeding, giving your baby a firmer surface to latch onto. It’s typically used when direct latching isn’t working well, whether because of flat or inverted nipples, a premature baby with a weak suck, or nipple pain that’s making feeding unbearable. Getting the right fit and applying it correctly makes the difference between a shield that helps and one that creates new problems.
When a Nipple Shield Helps
Nipple shields are most useful as a short-term bridge. Common reasons to use one include flat or inverted nipples that make it hard for your baby to latch, sore or cracked nipples that need time to heal while you continue nursing, a premature or small baby who struggles to maintain suction on bare skin, or a baby transitioning from bottle to breast who is used to a firmer nipple shape.
The shield isn’t meant to be a permanent solution. The longer you rely on one, the harder it becomes to wean off it, and extended use can gradually reduce your milk supply because the barrier between your baby’s mouth and your skin slightly decreases stimulation.
Choosing the Right Size
Nipple shields come in several sizes measured in millimeters, and the fit matters. A shield that’s too large won’t stay in place; one that’s too small will compress your nipple and restrict milk flow. To find your size, measure the diameter of your nipple at its base (straight across the middle) using a ruler with millimeter markings. Measure just the nipple, not the surrounding areola.
Use your measurement to match the appropriate shield size:
- Nipple up to 17 mm: 21 mm shield
- Nipple up to 20 mm: 24 mm shield
- Nipple up to 23 mm: 27 mm shield
- Nipple up to 26 mm: 30 mm shield
- Nipple up to 32 mm: 36 mm shield
So if your nipple measures 16 mm across, you’d choose the 21 mm shield. Your nipple should fit comfortably inside the tip of the shield with a small amount of space around it. If you’re between sizes or unsure, a lactation consultant can help you check the fit.
How to Apply It: The Sombrero Method
The most effective way to put on a nipple shield is called the sombrero technique, and it creates a better seal than simply pressing the shield flat against your breast.
Start by turning the shield partially inside out, about halfway, so the brim flares outward like the brim of a sombrero hat. Place the inverted tip directly over your nipple, then smooth the soft flanged edges down onto your areola. As you flatten the edges against your skin, the tip of the shield draws outward and pulls your nipple gently into it. This creates light suction that holds the shield in place and helps draw your nipple forward, which is especially useful if you have flat or inverted nipples.
Running the shield under warm water or applying a few drops of expressed breast milk to the inside and edges before putting it on can help it stick better and feel more comfortable. If the shield has a cutout section on one side, position that part where your baby’s nose will be so they can still smell your skin during the feeding. Skin-to-skin contact and your scent both help your baby stay interested in nursing.
Latching Your Baby With the Shield
Once the shield is in place, latch your baby the same way you would without it. Wait for a wide-open mouth, then bring your baby to the breast so they take in as much of the shield and areola as possible. You want a deep latch, not just the tip of the shield in their mouth. A shallow latch on the shield causes the same problems it would on bare skin: nipple pain for you and poor milk transfer for your baby.
During the feeding, watch and listen for signs that milk is flowing well. You should hear rhythmic swallowing (a soft “kuh” sound) after the first minute or two, and your baby should seem relaxed and satisfied after the feeding. Wet and dirty diapers are your best daily indicator that enough milk is getting through. Expect at least six wet diapers a day by the time your baby is about four days old.
Because babies sometimes transfer less milk through a shield than they would directly from the breast, pumping for five to ten minutes after nursing sessions can help. This empties your breasts more completely and sends your body the signal to keep producing milk at the level your baby needs.
Cleaning and Care
Wash the shield after every use. Use a dedicated bowl (not your kitchen sink) with hot, soapy water and a small brush to clean all surfaces, then rinse thoroughly with hot water and let it air dry on a clean towel or drying rack. Before the very first use, sterilize the shield by boiling it in water for five minutes or using a microwave steam sterilizing bag.
After that initial sterilization, daily washing with soap and water is sufficient for healthy, full-term babies. If your baby was born prematurely or has immune concerns, sterilizing once a day is a reasonable extra precaution. Inspect the shield regularly for tears, cloudiness, or stickiness, which are signs the silicone is breaking down and it’s time for a replacement.
Protecting Your Milk Supply
The main risk of using a nipple shield over time is a gradual dip in milk production. The layer of silicone slightly reduces the direct stimulation your nipple gets during feeding, which can lower the hormonal signals that drive milk production. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s worth monitoring.
Pumping after feedings is the simplest way to offset this. Even a short pumping session signals your body that more milk is needed. Tracking your baby’s weight gain at regular pediatric visits gives you an objective measure of whether enough milk is getting through. If your baby’s weight gain slows, increasing the number of feedings per day or adding pumping sessions can help bring supply back up.
Weaning Off the Shield
Once breastfeeding is going smoothly with the shield, most parents want to transition to nursing without it. There’s no fixed timeline for this. Some babies make the switch in a few days, while others need a few weeks of gradual transition.
A good starting strategy is to pump or hand express just until your milk lets down, then latch your baby directly without the shield. The already-flowing milk rewards your baby immediately for latching, which reduces frustration. For parents with flat or inverted nipples, pumping before the feeding also draws the nipple out, making it easier for your baby to grab onto.
If your baby refuses the bare breast, try a mid-feed switch. Start nursing with the shield in place, and once your baby is feeding calmly and milk is flowing, gently unlatch, remove the shield, and re-latch. Gradually reduce how long you use the shield at the beginning of each session. Some babies accept this more readily when they’re sleepy or only mildly hungry rather than frantically hungry and impatient.
Experimenting with different nursing positions can also help. A position that didn’t work well before may click now that your baby is older and stronger. Feed on demand, watching for early hunger cues like rooting and hand-to-mouth movements rather than waiting until your baby is crying. A calm, not-yet-desperate baby is far more willing to try something new. Keep offering the bare breast at the start of feedings, but don’t force it. If your baby gets upset, put the shield back on and try again next time. Persistence without pressure is the approach that works best.