Today we will talk about breastfeeding and a very simple and useful tool to use for it which you can call a nipple shield or nipple protector.
-
Introduction
A nipple shield shield is a breastfeeding aid with a nipple-shaped shield that is positioned over the nipple and areola prior to nursing. Nipple shields are usually recommended to mothers with flat nipples or in cases in which there is a failure of the baby to effectively latch onto the breast within the first 2 days postpartum.
Nipple shields have a base that wraps around your areola (dark-coloured skin around your nipple) with a cone-shaped area for your nipple. Some nipple shields have an area cut out to allow more skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby
It will be very helpful for you. When you are not able to directly feed your child for some reason. One of the reasons for this is that your baby is not able to latch or suck properly. So it gives a very good shape to the nipple breast. This makes it easier for the baby to suck.
Sometimes the nipples become swollen due to cracked nipples or breast leakage. Apart from this, sore nipples can also be a problem. During this time when the baby sucks, mothers feel a lot of pain. Even in this situation this product will be very useful for you. By applying it, the baby will feed comfortably and you will not feel any pain.
In some rare cases, breast nipples are are inverted. It means that the nipples are flattened from the outside. This shield will act as an artificial nipple for your baby. And the baby can easily suck them to drink milk.
C-sections have become very common these days. 3 out of every 5 women have to go through this problem. When a C-section occurs, the mother is not able to sit up immediately and the baby is bottle-fed. The texture and structure of the nipple is very different from the mother nipple. Later, when the baby is switched from bottle feed to mother feed, it is not immediately acceptable to the child. You can still use it. It is something between a bottle nipple and a breast nipple. And it helps the child to switch.
- Things to keep in mind while buying•
- The most important and necessary thing is that this shield is made of good food grade silicone material.
- Does not contain BPA. BPA is a dangerous chemical that is harmful to children.
- Open the packing to ensure that it is soft in terms of material so that the baby does not have difficulty in sucking.
- The second is that it should be thin in terms of texture. This will make it stick to the breast and fit better.
- Also keep in mind its internal size while buying. Be sure to check the size on the box and make sure it is neither too small nor too big. In both cases, the baby will have difficulty sucking.
-
How do I use a nipple shield?
See the steps below for using a nipple shield
Soak in warm water.
Gently stretch the shield onto the breast, drawing the nipple and areola into the raised portion of the shield.
Tickle your baby’s nose with your shield-covered nipple.
Bring the baby toward your breast while holding the nipple shield in place with your thumb and finger. Some nipple shields have a “cut-out,” while other shields are completely round. If you’re using a shield with a “cut-out,” position the shield so that the cutout is beneath your baby’s nose.
Remove the shield once your baby starts to suckle and swallow.
After each use, rinse the nipple shield in cold water, then wash in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Store in a clean, dry place
How should a nipple shield fit?
Nipple shields come in sizes. The sizes are measured in millimeters and depend on the size of your infant’s mouth. When your baby is latched correctly to a nipple shield, their mouth should be over the whole nipple with their lips extended around the areola. Your baby should not be sucking on just the tip of the nipple. Your nipple should fit inside the conical shape of the nipple shield without touching the side.
-
Cleaning method
It is very important to wash it off immediately after use to avoid infection.
Wash it thoroughly with running water and mild dish wash.
After that, dry it and put it back in its plastic box.
It can be washed with lukewarm water but not very hot water. Nor should it be kept in hot places.
-
Dos and Don'ts
Be careful not to use this product on a daily basis. Rather, it is a situational product or rescue tool. Which you should use only when you are having trouble feeding. For example, your nipples are injured or cracked. The problem of sore nipples. Or the baby is finding it difficult to suck. Especially when the baby is going through the teething period. At this point, this product can be used as a protective shield. Because often babies bite the nipple due to discomfort in the gums. Which causes the nipples to be injured. It is very painful. Use this nipple shield only until your breasts heal. Use it as a helping hand and not make it a routine and habit.
Another obstacle to its regular use is that it does not provide proper milk supply to the baby. For example, by natural feeding where your baby can drink 100% milk. With the artificial nipple he can drink only 70 to 80%. Since not all milk is expressed, excess milk remains in your breast. which can later accumulate and lead to clotting and inflammation. That is why it is also important while you are feeding the baby through Shield. After the feed, the remaining milk should be expressed with a breast pump or manually.