Nipple shield (breastfeeding) 4022025 214461472 2008-05-23T17:45:56Z BrainyBabe 124674 Shakespearian pewter shiled {{otheruses4|the sheath used during breastfeeding|the body jewelry|Nipple shield (jewelry)}} A '''nipple shield''' is a nipple-shaped sheath worn over the [[areola]] and [[nipple]] during [[breastfeeding]]. Modern nipple shields are made of soft, thin, flexible [[silicone]] and have holes at the end of the nipple section to allow the [[breast milk]] to pass through. Older nipple shields were made of [[latex]] and harder, thicker plastics, and often caused more problems than they solved. A 17th century nipple shield held in [http://houses.shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeares-birthplace.html Shakespeare's birthplace] is made of [[pewter]]. Nipple shields are used in various situations: * Some mothers have small or [[inverted nipple|inverted nipples]] which make it difficult for the baby to latch on. Using a shield allows for feeding to progress until the baby's suction draws out the nipple. * Small, weak or sick babies often have difficulty latching on to the breast. A nipple shield makes latching easier and prevents the baby becoming discouraged. * Babies who had to be bottle-fed since birth can become used to the [[Baby_bottle|bottle teat]]. Nipple shields feel more like teats, and aid with the transition to breast feeding. * A mother's nipples can become sore or cracked from incorrect breastfeeding. A shield allows the mother to continue breastfeeding until her [[cracked nipples]] heal and she improves her latching technique. * They make it easier to measure the quantity of milk consumed. Most doctors and [[lactation consultant]]s stress that nipple shields use should be temporary; the aim is always to return to regular breastfeeding. [[Breast shell]]s may be confused with nipple shields, but shields are intended for use during the act of breastfeeding, whereas breast shells are worn in preparation for breastfeeding. ==See also== * [[Pasties]] * [[Nipple shield (jewelry)]] * [[Breast petal]] ==External links== * http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/nipshield.html * http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVJunJul00p39.html * http://www.littletyketalk.com/blog/2008/02/05/nipple-shields/ [[Category:Breastfeeding]] [[Category:Breast]] [[da:Ammebrik]] [[nl:Tepelhoedje]]