Best nipple shields for breastfeeding mums, including MAM, Medela and Lansinoh

Breastfeeding might be natural, but sometimes it can feel like it doesn't come naturally at all. Feeding can be tiring and hard to establish, especially if you or your baby encounter obstacles such as tongue tie, difficulty establishing a latch or inverted, sore or cracked nipples. The best nipple shields can protect your nipples, lessen pain during breastfeeding, and even encourage your baby to latch on and feed more effectively.

At Mumsnet, we know every mother needs a little help with feeding sometimes. That's why we've extensively researched guides to all sorts of products, from the best breast pumps to the best nipple creams and the best nursing chairs to help make breastfeeding comfortable, easy and pain-free.

Babies can struggle to latch on properly for many reasons, such as being born prematurely or with a condition such as tongue tie which can affect feeding. There are lots of organisations that can offer support, such as La Leche League and The NCT.

It’s worth saying that nipple shields aren’t a magic solution, and that some experts don’t encourage use of them, particularly in the long-term as there is some believe that they may lead to nipple confusion. If you’re experiencing breastfeeding issues, it’s really important to speak to a health professional as your first port of call.  For some women however, nipple shields can help to keep breastfeeding going, and that’s what’s important. If you believe that nipple shields may be helpful for you and your baby, there are a number of products on the market to help. We’ve carefully vetted some of the most-recommended nipple shields, as reviewed by real parents, customers and experts.

For more buying advice, check out our guides to the best changing mats, the best nappy bins, the best potties, the best baby wipes and the best nursing chairs, all featuring product recommendations from Mumsnetters.

How to find the best nipple shield

Finding the best nipple shields is a tricky business. They tend to be a panic purchase when you find you’re having trouble with breastfeeding, but it’s worth taking a moment to work out exactly which might be right for you.

To save you the legwork, we’ve carefully researched the best nipple shields on the market. We’ve vetted the reviews, checked with the experts and thoroughly assessed the shields to bring you a shortlist of the 11 best nipple shields for breastfeeding, but here’s how to pick from those to find the best pair for you.

What is a nipple shield?

A nipple shield is an ultra thin, usually clear layer of silicone which you place over your nipple during feeds. There are holes in the tip, allowing your breast milk to flow into the baby’s mouth as she suckles.

They are designed to help protect your nipples and lessen pain during breastfeeding, particularly during the early days. They may also encourage your baby to latch on and feed more effectively if they’re having breastfeeding issues due to things like flat or inverted nipples or tongue tie.

When should you use a nipple shield?

Nipple shields are intended as a temporary solution to help you overcome problems with breastfeeding. They’re most often used when a baby is premature and having trouble latching on, if a baby has a tongue tie or neurological issues, or if the mother has flat or inverted nipples. Sometimes they can help if a baby just needs a bit of stimulus to feed, too.

How to use a nipple shield

Nipple shields are simply placed over the breast right before a feed. Some women have issues with nipple shields moving or coming off mid-feed. To help it stay in place, moisten the shield’s edges with warm water or warm it with hot water before applying it to your breast.

Turning a nipple shield almost inside out before applying can help draw your nipple into it, which is particularly helpful if you’re using them due to flat or inverted nipples. Put the tip over your nipple and then smooth the edges onto your breast. To encourage your baby to latch on, you could hand express a bit of breast milk into the tip.

Should I sterilise nipple shields?

If you or your baby are in hospital, you should sterilise nipple shields before use. If you’re at home, it’s fine to wash nipple shields in warm soapy water or on a hot cycle in the dishwasher between uses. Nipple shields should be dried and then stored inside a container or bag.

How do I get a deeper latch?

Often, sore nipples occur because your baby isn’t getting enough of the breast into her mouth and is just suckling on the nipple itself. This compresses the milk ducts and means she won’t get enough to eat, as well as being quite sore for you.

You can help her get a bigger mouthful by flattening your breast slightly with your thumb and forefinger, so it’s the same shape as her mouth and popping it in as she goes to latch on.

La Leche League also suggests trying the exaggerated latch: “Place your thumb or finger near the base of the nipple where the middle of your baby’s upper lip will be, lined up with his nose. If you press, your nipple will tilt away from your baby, presenting him with your breast rather than your nipple. Avoid pressing your nipple into his mouth. As he opens wide, snuggle him in close and use your thumb or finger to tuck the breast into his mouth. Your nipple will be taken in last and unroll in his mouth. You can then slip your finger out.”

Does the baby get more milk with a nipple shield?

It depends very much on circumstance. Some research has shown that premature babies using shields actually intake more. However, many midwives or health visitors will tell you that shields can mean your baby can’t get as much milk. As long as you are using the shield correctly and it is correctly positioned, it shouldn’t have a negative effect on milk intake.

Why are nipple shields sometimes not recommended?

Some health practitioners advise against nipple shields. This is largely because it’s easy to have them incorrectly positioned, which can affect how successfully your baby feeds. They’re also meant to be a temporary solution, rather than a forever fix. Used for a short while, and used correctly, nipple shields can be really helpful in establishing or ensuring the continuation of breastfeeding.

Are nipple shields worth the money?

Nipple shields are designed to be a temporary solution until your baby learns to breastfeed without them.

They can’t correct underlying problems such as low milk production but, for some women, nipple shields can help to keep breastfeeding going, so in that sense, they’re an excellent investment. Most are not expensive, so it’s worth having a set in the cupboard before your baby’s born just in case you run into problems with breastfeeding.

-Advice from Mumsnetter blobby10

How do I know my nipple shield size?

Just as breasts vary hugely from one woman to the next, so do nipples. You must ensure that you’re using the right size nipple shield because using the wrong size can hinder milk supply. You may even find that you need more than one size of nipple shield due to differences between your breasts.

Ensure you’re wearing the right size by using a ruler or measuring tape to measure the diameter of your nipple at the base in millimetres, not including your areola. Allow at least 4mm (2mm either side of the nipple) when selecting your breast shield size. For instance, if your nipple measures 16mm, you’d need a breast shield measuring 20mm.

How do I know if my nipple shield is too small?

If your nipple shield is too small, you may notice rubbing or pinching caused by your nipple being pulled against the sides of the tip. Your nipple or areola may become white or discoloured. You may also notice that milk extraction is painful or that you’re not producing as much milk during feeds.

Can I use nipple shields permanently?

Nipple shields are only really supposed to be used as a temporary measure. Of course, there are some mums out there who breastfeed long term using shields but it’s not ideal, and aside from anything, does mean breastfeeding is a bit more of a hassle than it needs to be.

Which nipple shield is best?

The best budget nipple shield is NUK Silicone Nipple Shields, which offers a pair of soft silicone shields with a unique triangle shape plus a storage case – all at a very reasonable price.

The best nipple shield for sore nipples is MAM Nipple Shields, which have a butterfly shape to encourage skin-to-skin contact and come in a sterilisable storage box.

The best overall nipple shield is Philips Avent Nipple Protector which is great for premature babies and is very popular with independent reviewers and parents alike. The butterfly shape maximises skin-to-skin contact and allows you to help hold it in place during feeds.

How we chose our recommendations

To ensure we are only showing you the best of the best, we always do our research thoroughly and make sure every product comes carefully assessed, evaluated and with a clutch of honest reviews to recommend it.

Recommendations from real parents

We believe that the best reviews come from mums who have tried the products in question, which is why, before recommending any new products, we always ask our trusted Mumsnet users, of which there are more than 7 million each month. We know we can rely on Mumsnetters for honest feedback, both positive and negative.

Expert advice

We always ensure our information represents the latest recommendations from experts so you can rely on it, and we research each product thoroughly to ensure it follows the latest expert advice and stands up to scrutiny. Here, we consulted La Leche League’s advice on nipple shields and also looked at what the NCT had to say about sore nipples and nipple shields.

Consumer feedback

We also scour the internet outside of Mumsnet, checking out real reviews from parents who have bought the products themselves, and given both positive and negative feedback to ensure every product we recommend comes with a clutch of good reviews.

Celebrated best products

Finally, we always check to see which products had won industry awards and accolades or received recognition from trusted sources and feed this into our analysis too to help us choose the best nipple shields on the market.

Why you should trust us

Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products.We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.