The shield also needs to fit your baby’s mouth. Your baby should be able to latch deeply onto your breast with the shield in place.

We reviewed and selected nipple shields based on the following criteria from leading experts, as well as What to Expect community members:Many moms use nipple shields a short time to combat a certain problem. (And some women use them during their entire breastfeeding journey, which is a bit controversial.) Experts recommend using nipple shields with guidance from a lacation consultant, as they can impact milk supply if not used correctly.

The idea is that you want to try everything else first, but if your baby isn’t breastfeeding at all and a nipple shield works, then you should consider that a win. A nipple shield is meant to be a learning tool to help your baby learn to latch and nurse. This means it’s a short-term solution. Once your baby’s latch has improved, your lactation consultant will advise you to wean your baby from the nipple shield. Some tips to help you stop using a nipple shield are:Before you decide to buy a nipple shield, The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) recommends trying the following: That's why it’s important to work with a lactation consultant if you do use one. A lactation consultant can help you wean from the shield after a few weeks. How can you wean your baby from a nipple shield? Example: Your nipples measure 15 x16 mm. Your nipple shield size would be 20 mm. For inverted nipples, you can trial 18-20 mm nipple shields. Use a breast pump for several minutes to draw out the nipple. The suction from a pump will often cause the nipple to protrude more. EXTRA LARGE CONICAL – At 28mm this is the largest size nipple shield available, helpful to moms who find traditional sizes (largest 24mm) tight and pinchy. This larger size shield can also encourage wider latch onto breast.

If trying to size your shield is feeling overwhelming, don't worry- Our team of IBCLCs can help you find a nipple shield that works best for you. Yes, even virtually! They can be really helpful when it comes to certain breastfeeding challenges. But they need to be used responsibly, smartly, with care, and preferably under the supervision of a breastfeeding helper. If one breast is easier for your baby to grasp and he nurses well from that breast, you can continue to feed on that side. You can pump the breast with the deeply inverted nipple until the adhesions loosen and the nipple is drawn out. Your baby will get all the milk he needs from one breast if allowed unlimited and unrestricted time at the breast.

Do I need nipple shields? 

There are a few situations where nipple shields—when used smartly and for limited time periods—can be very helpful.