Breastfeed Nipple Shield: Guide to Relief, Sizing, and Use

 

Babies ramp up your living costs in no time. Are silver nursing cups actually worth it? Honestly, yes—they are designed to last, and many moms can use their HSA/FSA funds to purchase them. You can find more details about federal coverage requirements and breastfeeding rights at Womenshealth.gov.

You might feel sore, frustrated, or just plain overwhelmed by tools like a breastfeed nipple shield or those silver nursing cups. Silver cups protect skin, work with nipple shields for extra comfort, and help you cut down on waste.
Let’s do some quick math: disposable nursing pads can run you $30–$50 a month (that’s $180–$300 in six months), while a one-time Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups purchase often costs less over time.

Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups aren’t just another gadget. Lots of nursing parents consider them an essential breastfeeding tool—they’re tough, can be passed along, or kept as a precious keepsake. Plastic pads? They’re landfill-bound.
It’s always worth talking to your lactation consultant or healthcare plan to confirm HSA/FSA steps and make sure you’re using breastfeeding tools safely.

Key Takeaways

• Reusable silver nursing cups can save money and cut down on waste.
• Many plans reimburse with a Letter of Medical Necessity, but check with your HSA/FSA provider first.
• Silver cups give sturdy, long-term protection and work well with tools like nipple shields.

What Is a Nipple Shield?

A nipple shield is a thin, flexible cover you slip over your nipple and areola during nursing. It gives baby a firmer latch point and can protect sore or damaged nipples while you work on latch and comfort. For detailed visual guides on newborn anatomy and latching, check the educational resources from Stanford Medicine.

Purpose and Design

Most nipple shields are made from soft, medical-grade silicone.
They look like a little dome with a short, cone-shaped tip and tiny holes at the end for milk to flow through. The wide rim rests against your breast, and the cone covers your nipple.

Modern nipple shields try to keep some skin contact while making latching easier for babies who struggle.
They come in different sizes; picking the right size really matters for comfort and milk flow.

Using a shield under an IBCLC’s guidance helps you get it right and avoid stuff like reduced milk flow.
A shield can protect cracked nipples, support babies with weak latch, and help with bottle-to-breast transitions.

Common Reasons Moms Use Nipple Shields

A lot of moms use shields for short-term fixes: flat or inverted nipples, sore or bleeding nipples needing protection, or babies who tire out and need an easier latch.
Premature or small babies sometimes do better with a shield. Always consult the latest guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding premature infant care.

Shields can help if your baby’s gotten used to bottles and now resists the breast.
They let you keep nursing while your nipples heal.

It’s smart to plan to wean off the shield as baby learns a direct latch.
Talk to your lactation consultant and pediatrician if you’re worried about milk transfer or baby’s weight.

Shields can soothe pain and support feeding, but they aren’t a long-term solution for latch issues.

Differences Between Nipple Shields and Breast Shells

Nipple shields are for active nursing; breast shells are hard or soft cups you wear between feeds.
Shields sit on your nipple while baby feeds.

Breast shells protect sore nipples from friction and collect leaking milk.
Shields guide baby’s mouth, while breast shells don’t change latch.

If you need protection during healing, try a breast shell or silicone leak cup. If you suspect an infection like mastitis, consult the symptom guides provided by Mayo Clinic.
For feeding help, go with a nipple shield and get sizing advice from an IBCLC.

If you want something durable or even a keepsake, silver nursing cups like Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups are worth considering.
They work like breast shells but are reusable, unlike disposable pads that just create more waste.

A few practical notes:

• HSA/FSA eligibility: Many moms use their HSA/FSA funds for breastfeeding supplies. Check with your specific plan regarding eligibility for nursing cups.
• Money & waste: disposable nursing pads run about $10–$15 per pack. Over 6 months, you could spend $120–$180 on disposables. A one-time Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups purchase usually costs less in the long run and keeps waste down.
• Durability: Go Mommy® cups last, can be passed down, or kept as a keepsake. Plastic pads? They go straight to the landfill.

Quick heads-up: this isn’t medical advice.
Always talk to your IBCLC or healthcare provider for care that fits you and to confirm reimbursement and product details.

Useful links: silver nursing cups; postpartum nipple care guide; how to clean silver cups; and more practical tips under the blog.

When and Why to Use a Nipple Shield

A nipple shield can help when your baby can’t latch well, your nipples are hurting, or a preemie needs a firmer target.
It may also help you move a baby from bottle back to breast while you work on direct nursing. Community support for overcoming latching difficulties is widely available through La Leche League International.

Latch Challenges and Nipple Shape

If your baby struggles to latch because of flat, inverted, or very short nipples, a nipple shield gives a firmer, extended surface.
Use it if repeated latch attempts just turn into long, frustrating feeds or if baby isn’t swallowing and gaining weight.

An IBCLC can check fit and size—wrong size can block milk flow or make things worse.
Watch for good signs: baby’s mouth covers the shield’s base, lips flare outward, and you hear steady swallows.

Track wet diapers and weight for peace of mind.
If pain or low milk transfer sticks around after a few days, stop and get help from a lactation consultant.

Premature Babies and Special Cases

Premature babies often have weak suck and poor coordination.
A nipple shield can give them a firmer “nipple” to grasp while they build strength.

NICU teams often use shields as a short-term tool in the hospital or at home, but always under guidance.
Work with your NICU nurses or IBCLC to pick the right size and monitor milk transfer.

Some preemies move quickly to direct breastfeeding; others need more time.
If your baby needs oxygen or a feeding tube, always follow your care team’s advice. You can read more about caring for babies with special medical needs at Cleveland Clinic.

Sore, Cracked, or Painful Nipples

When latch causes pain, bleeding, or cracks, a nipple shield can reduce friction and let your skin heal while you keep feeding.
You don’t have to take long breaks from nursing, which helps milk supply and your own comfort. For broader advice on postpartum recovery and body changes, visit the American Pregnancy Association.

Use shields with clean hands and follow cleaning instructions.
Cooled silver nursing cups between feeds can also help with pain relief.

Silver cups might be HSA/FSA eligible with an LMN—check with your provider for reimbursement rules.
They’re durable, can be kept as a keepsake or passed down, and don’t add to landfill waste like disposables.

Transitioning From Bottle to Breast

If your baby prefers the bottle, a shield can mimic that firmer shape and make the switch back to breast easier.
Try short, calm sessions with the shield and offer skin-to-skin contact. Get comprehensive advice on mixed feeding methods and bonding from UNICEF Parenting.

Gradually reduce shield use as your baby gets used to the natural nipple.
For comfort between feeds, silver nursing cups are a good option—they might be reimbursable with an LMN.

Over six months, disposable nursing pads add up: at $0.25 per pad and two pads a day, you’re looking at roughly $90.
A one-time Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups purchase costs more up front but saves money and waste in the long run.

Go Mommy® cups are durable, have heirloom value, and won’t end up in the trash like plastic pads.

Tiny disclaimer: this isn’t a replacement for an IBCLC or a doctor.
If pain, poor weight gain, or other worries continue, reach out to your lactation consultant or pediatrician.

Choosing and Sizing the Best Nipple Shield

Picking the right shield comes down to fit, material, and your reason for needing it.
Size matters for both comfort and milk flow.

Some shields qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)—always check with your plan. Clinical protocols for managing nipple pain are outlined by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

How to Measure for a Proper Fit

Start by gently measuring the diameter of your areola at the base of the nipple, not the tip.
Use a soft tape measure or ruler while your breast is relaxed.

Most brands list sizes in millimeters (like 16 mm, 20 mm, 24 mm).
If your baby slips off or you feel pinching, try one size up.

If the shield folds or milk pools, try a size down or a different shape.
When you try a shield, watch for steady milk flow and your baby’s mouth covering the shield base.

If you’re stuck, an IBCLC can size you and suggest specific models.
Tip: check the shield’s size range and bring options to your appointment.

Popular Nipple Shield Brands and Styles

Medela Contact Nipple Shield: thin silicone, cutout for skin-to-skin, sizes like 16 mm–24 mm.
A lot of moms say it helps with flat or inverted nipples.

Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shield: lower profile for shallow latches; common sizes 20 mm and 24 mm.
Good for tongue-tie cases while waiting for treatment.

Haakaa shields come in a few styles—some mimic a bottle shape to help with bottle-to-breast moves.
Purifyou and other budget brands offer multiple sizes (16–24 mm) in packs.

Philips Avent and MAM make shields with shapes and textures that some babies just seem to like better.
Keep a shield that matches your usual nipple diameter and a backup in a second size.

Bring a couple of brand options to your lactation visit so your specialist can see a real feeding session.

Material and Shape Considerations

Most modern shields use clear silicone. Silicone’s soft, heat-resistant, and cleans up easily. If your baby’s sensitive, skip shields with heavy texture—sometimes those just confuse little ones. Ensure all baby products meet general safety standards by checking resources like Safe Kids Worldwide.

Shape matters for latch. Elongated shields act more like a real nipple and might help your baby latch deeper. Round or bottle-shaped shields? Those sometimes work better for babies switching from bottle back to breast.

Check for features: more vent holes help prevent milk pooling. Thin edges let you get skin-to-skin contact. Cleaning instructions are worth a look—some shields are boil-safe, others only go in the dishwasher.

If you’d rather avoid plastic, silver nursing cups are an option. They’re durable, and some people even keep them as a little memento.

Thinking about cost and the planet? Disposable nursing pads run about $0.25–$0.50 each. Over six months (roughly 180 days), using one pad daily at $0.35 adds up to $63. Buying Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups costs more at first but cuts down on repeat pad purchases and plastic waste.

Silver cups also keep some value—you can pass them down or sell them later. That’s not something you can do with single-use pads.

Consulting a Lactation Specialist

See an IBCLC (lactation consultant) if you’re dealing with sore or cracked nipples, repeated latch issues, or you’re unsure about sizing. An IBCLC can measure your nipple, watch a feeding, and suggest a specific shield—maybe Medela, Lansinoh, or Haakaa.

Bring any shields you’ve tried and jot down your baby’s feeding patterns. If you want to use HSA or FSA funds, ask about LMN paperwork. Many insurers accept a Letter of Medical Necessity for nipple shields, even if the online store didn’t show HSA/FSA options.

A specialist can also help you wean off the shield and teach you about safe cleaning and storage. IBCLCs stick to evidence-based practices. Still, their advice supports—not replaces—your doctor’s care. Your obstetrician can also provide referrals based on ACOG guidelines.

How to Use and Care for a Nipple Shield

Nipple shields can protect sore nipples and help your baby latch while you build confidence and supply. You’ll learn how to put one on, make sure your baby latches well, and how to clean and store the shield safely.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Start with clean hands and a dry, sterilized shield. Warm the shield under warm (not boiling) water for a few seconds to make it more flexible.

Check the shield for any tears or sticky spots before each use. Center the shield so your nipple sits inside the teardrop opening.

Squeeze the base gently to push out trapped air, then set the shield on your breast and let go so it lightly suctions on. Hold your baby skin-to-skin as you bring them to the breast—skin-to-skin can calm babies and help them root.

If milk doesn’t flow right away, hand-express a few drops onto the shield tip to encourage your baby. Watch for signs your baby’s swallowing every few sucks. Eligible mothers can receive additional hands-on training and nutrition tips through WIC Breastfeeding Support.

If pain keeps up, stop and call an IBCLC (lactation consultant).

Ensuring a Proper Baby Latch

Aim for a wide mouth and flanged lips that cover the shield’s rim. Your baby’s chin should touch your breast, and the shield should reach the roof of their mouth. Scientific studies on milk transfer efficiency and latch mechanics can be found in the NCBI database.

If lips stay tucked, try a different hold or more skin-to-skin to encourage rooting. Look for steady swallowing and relaxed hands—those are good signs of an effective latch.

If you see lip smacking, fussing, or quick, shallow sucks, gently unlatch and try again. A lactation consultant can help with fit and sizing. Bad fit can mean less milk gets through and more discomfort.

If your baby’s premature or just not strong yet, try shorter, more frequent feeds and pump afterward to protect supply. If you’re worried about low milk transfer or ongoing pain, always check with a professional.

Cleaning and Storage Tips

Rinse the shield right after feeding to get rid of milk. Wash it with warm, soapy water using a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly. Follow the strict hygiene guidelines for infant feeding items published by the CDC.

Boil or sterilize the shield as the maker suggests—most can handle a short boil or a steam sterilizer. Air-dry it on a clean towel or rack.

Store the shield in a dry, ventilated container and keep it out of direct sunlight. Swap out shields as soon as you notice cracks, thinning, or stickiness.

About reimbursement: nipple shields usually qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement if you have a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). They don't always auto-approve at checkout, so double-check with your plan and hang onto receipts and your LMN from your provider. Find a directory of national support organizations and policy updates via the US Breastfeeding Committee.

A quick note about cost and waste—disposable nursing pads run about $0.25–$0.50 each. Over six months (roughly 180 days), that adds up to $45–$90.

Silver nursing cups, like the Go Mommy® Silver Nursing Cups, cost more upfront, but in my experience, they often pay off and definitely help cut down on waste. Information on drug safety during lactation is available from the Breastfeeding Network.

Go Mommy® silver cups last a long time and can even become keepsakes, since they resist wear and hold their value. Plastic alternatives? They tend to crack and just end up in the trash.

If you want more practical info, check the postpartum nipple care guide or the how to clean silver cups blog posts for extra tips on using and caring for silver nursing cups.

And just to be clear—none of this is medical advice. If you keep having pain, blocked ducts, bleeding, or concerns about milk transfer, definitely reach out to your healthcare provider or an IBCLC. For international health standards and further medical advice, refer to the NHS website.