Lowest New Price: USD $4.10
Features :
- For flat or inverted nipples
- For latch-on difficulties
- Unique cut-out area allows more skin contact between mother and baby
- Made of pure silicone
- Use under the direction of a physician
Medela Nipple Shields can be an effective tool for professionals and moms to manage infants with latch-on problems, for moms with overactive let-downs or for flat, inverted and sore nipples. They are also an invaluable tool in the NICU environment where latch can be problematic but critical for early growth. Contact Nipple Shields provide skin-to-skin contact for important mom/baby bonding.
Customer Reviews
Yay! (2010-04-27)
Just had a baby five days ago, and the first two days he breastfed beautifully, even though I have an inversion problem. I was so proud. Imagine my dismay when my little champion suddenly stopped being able to latch on once my milk started coming in more fully and I swelled up like a balloon. After a frustrating 24 hours and trying every trick in the book, I decided to break down and buy one of these. What a godsend! He latched on right away. I've read my supply might get low so I've started pumping three times a day between feedings just to be sure (saving the extra milk for those nighttime feedings that daddy can help with). Hopefully we'll be able to wean off the shields eventually, but for now they're keeping us on the breast and from having to pump 8-12 times a day, so I'm relieved!
Update: Should've consulted a lactation consultant, apparently this was totally the wrong size (I guess this is the size they use for preemies in the NICU) and may have contributed to a low milk supply problem (though apparently I also have a nodule on my thyroid which may have caused that problem). However, once I bought the right size (27 mm) it was still a godsend, it was my fault and not the company's. I urge you to contact an LC before using, but it's still a great product! And once we decided to stop using it, it only took a few days to completely wean him off the shield with the LC's help!
Worked for NICU baby (2010-04-13)
My baby was in NICU for most of the first week of his life. I didn't get to hold him against me and try to breastfeed right away. He was fed by an IV for two days and then had to be bottle fed breast milk for most of his stay. By the time we got around to trying to BF, he would have nothing to do with it. The bottle had proved to be way too easy. After several days of thinking it would never happen, I went out and bought a nipple shield. BAM - After two days of the nipple shield (and following the instructions to take it away after two minutes), he didn't need it anymore and would latch right to my breast. I still use it at night when he's being fussy so that he doesn't wake my husband up. Me and baby love it!
a must have (2009-11-12)
on my third baby and have used these every time! no pain while feeding. forces baby to open mouth correctly. i would put this on a top 3 must have list.
helped my baby latch (2009-09-19)
this is a wonderful product, I used it for nursing in the first few weeks. my baby had difficulties latching and this really helped. it also protected raw nipples. I held it in place with a few dabs of lanolin.
Last resort... worked like a miracle (2009-01-06)
I was determined to breastfeed my son but never imagined how many issues we would encounter. First I got a yeast infection in my nipples which caused excruciating pain so I pumped and bottle fed until that cleared up. Then we discovered that he had a tongue tie that needed to be clipped. I was so hopeful that he would be able to latch correctly after that but he still couldn't stay on and my pain never stopped. I went to the hospital where he was born and saw a lactation consultant who watched him nurse (or try to) and realized that I had a large milk supply and overactive let down, so he was pretty much choking when he tried to suck. That coupled with the fact that he still hadn't 'learned' how to use his tongue correctly yet made it almost impossible. She gave me this shield and he immediately latched on and guzzled!!! We are hoping that he won't need this forever, but in the meantime it has literally saved our breastfeeding relationship. I would recommend seeing a lactation consultant BEFORE using this since they have ways to help without needing a shield and they also tell you how to stop your supply from getting low and how to prevent mastitis etc while using this product.
Blessings!
SEE Medela Contact Nipple Shield Extra Small Size 16mm #67251 at Amazon.com Now