At a glance:

• Unique shape to maximise skin-to-skin contact
• Ideal for flat or inverted nipples
• Safe and taste-free for your baby
• Made without BPA

Downloads

Instructions for use (pdf)

Contact nipple shield sizing guide (pdf)

2 x Contact™ nipple shields with a handy box for storing and carrying them in. 

Available in three sizes: 

S/16mm

M/20mm

L/24mm

Configuration may vary from country to country.

What is a nipple shield?

A nipple shield is a thin, flexible piece of silicone that you place over your nipple before breastfeeding to protect it. There are holes in the tip so your milk can pass through to your baby. Some mums worry that having a ‘barrier’ between themselves and their baby may interfere with the intimacy of breastfeeding, which is why Medela Contact™ Nipple Shields have an open section to ensure you still enjoy plenty of that special skin contact.

When to use nipple shields

There are three main circumstances when you might use nipple shields:

• If you have sore, cracked nipples, or are suffering from nipple pain.
• If you have flat or inverted nipples.
• If your baby has problems latching on to the nipple and is not drinking milk well.

Why it is important to choose the right size

As the interface between you and your baby, the size of the Contact™ Nipple Shield is an important factor for effective milk transfer.  A poorly fitting Contact™ Nipple Shield, where the tip section is either too small or too large relative to your nipple diameter, is associated with discomfort, and may restrict milk flow. As a result, the ContactTM Nipple Shields are available in different tip section diameters to fit a range of nipple diameters.

• 16 mm (S)
• 20 mm (M)
• 24 mm (L)

It is widely recognized that nipple diameter can increase temporarily by 2-3 mm after exposure to suction.^1-3 Therefore, the recommended guidance is to select a ContactTM Nipple Shield tip section diameter that is slightly larger (up to 4mm) than your resting nipple diameter as a simple and safe starting point when starting your nipple shield journey.

For further sizing guidance please refer to the Medela Contact™ Nipple Shield fitting guide.
 

How to use nipple shields

After washing your hands with drinking-quality water and drying them thoroughly, grip the wings of the Contact™ Nipple Shield to guide it into place. Moistening the shield with drinking-quality water will help it stick. See the Contact™ Nipple Shield instructions for full details of how to put them on. The nipple shield should fit comfortably on your nipple without pinching – Medela nipple shields come in three sizes, so you can find the best fit for your type of nipple, our handy fitting guide has more details. Remember you’ll need to clean them after each use and disinfect once a day – see instructions for details of cleaning and disinfecting. Contact™ Nipple Shields come with a convenient carry case so you can keep them safe between uses.

How to clean Nipple Shields

After each use, rinse all components (Contact™ Nipple Shield and storage box) with cold water (approx. 20 °C / 68 °F) first and then clean them with plenty of warm, soapy water (approx. 30 °C / 86 °F). Use a commercially available, pH neutral detergent, preferably without artificial fragrances and colouring. Thoroughly rinse the components with cold water again and place them on a clean, dry paper towel to let them air dry. To disinfect, cover the parts with water and boil for five minutes. Alternatively, the parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Make sure to place them on the top rack or in the cutlery section and to use a commercially available dishwashing detergent. Afterwards, place the parts on a clean, dry paper towel to let them air dry.

Nipple shields for sore nipples

Sore or cracked nipples can have a number of causes, so it’s important to get to the root cause before deciding on what to do about them. For example, if you have sore nipples you may want to try hydrogel pads or breast shells first, as well as seeking further lactation support. If these don’t improve the situation, Contact™ Nipple Shields can protect your nipples while still enabling breastfeeding – made from ultra-thin, soft silicone, they’re gentle even on sore, dry or cracked skin.

Nipple shields for flat or inverted nipples

If you have flat or inverted nipples your baby may find it harder to latch on, especially when the baby is small – but that doesn’t mean breastfeeding isn’t possible! An inverted or flat nipple might not touch the roof of your baby’s mouth during a feed, which can mean her sucking reflex isn’t triggered. Contact™ Nipple Shields can help by extending the reach of your nipple. And because they are taste-free, your baby is unlikely to taste anything unusual while you’re using them.

Helping your baby to latch on

As outlined above, using a nipple shield can offer a baby who is struggling to latch on a larger, firmer target. Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist can ensure your baby is latching well while you’re using the shield. You’ll also need to monitor your baby’s weight gain to ensure your milk supply is meeting the baby’s requirements.⁴ In general, nipple shields are a short-term solution – in time, as your baby’s suck strengthens and you get used to breastfeeding, you may well be able to start weaning off nipple shields.

1. Prime DK. [PhD Thesis]: The University of Western Australia; 2010.
2. Fortin Higgins A. Clin Lactation. 2022; 13(3):159–169.
3. Gridneva Z et al. Clinical Nutrition Open Science. 2023; 49:28–36.
4. McKechnie AC, Eglash A. Nipple shields: a review of the literature. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2010;5(6):309-314.