Best Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding

reviewed mark Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Ritchie, I.B.C.L.C.
Updated: March 30, 2023
best nipple shields

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it sure doesn’t always come so naturally for some new moms. And guess what? That’s okay!

A rough breastfeeding start doesn’t necessarily mean nursing won’t work for you. It may just take a bit of help for you and baby to get into a groove. Many new moms and lactation consultants swear by breastfeeding nipple shields, which can help get you through those tricky first weeks.

What is a nipple shield?

Simply put, a breastfeeding nipple shield is a silicone "nipple" you place over your own to help baby latch. They are soft and flexible, so they won’t bother your skin, and should stay in place during feedings thanks to a suction cup-like design. If baby is having trouble feeding, the hole in the tip of each shield will help allow milk to flow through.

Why might you use a nipple shield?

While nipple shields aren’t used by all breastfeeding moms, they can come in handy for women who are having issues getting their babies to latch.

A poor latch could be happening for a variety of reasons. Your little one might be having trouble because one or both of your nipples are flat or inverted. Tongue-tied and premature babies can also find it tricky to latch on at first, while other babies experience some initial breast refusal for reasons that aren’t always clear.

You may also choose to use a nipple shield if your nipples are cracked or sore from breastfeeding, which is fairly common in the beginning. While your nipples recover, a shield can help protect symptoms from getting worse.

How to use a nipple shield

Before you get started, experts suggest speaking with a certified lactation consultant. They may recommend another solve first, such as trying different nursing positions. If they do recommend a nipple shield, your lactation consultant will be able to help guide you closely, since using one improperly could lead to further breastfeeding issues down the line.

To use a nipple shield, you’ll first want to make sure it stays securely in place. If you’re having trouble getting it to stay put, apply warm water to the underside before sticking it on your nipple, which can help it adhere better.

If you notice the nipple shield is cloudy and slipping off when the baby is latching, residue from breastmilk or nipple cream could be the problem. The best way to get a nipple shield to stay in place is to keep it clean, says Jennifer Ritchie, I.B.C.L.C., a lactation consultant and author of The Smart Parents Guide to Breastfeeding. Clean with a drop of dish soap and water and rinse thoroughly.

Above all, experts stress that nipple shields are only intended to be used temporarily and with supervision from a lactation consultant who can give you guidance on sizing and overall usage. Once any problems you’re having are resolved, the goal is to stop using these products.

How to pick the right nipple shield size

You’ll notice that some nipple shields come in different sizes, reflecting the diameter of the nipples on the shields measured in millimeters. If you aren’t sure what size you should order, ask your lactation consultant or doctor when you talk to them about using a nipple shield.

If you’ve already been given the go-ahead, scroll on: Below, we narrowed down the best nipple shields for breastfeeding moms.

How we made our picks for the best nipple shields

To help you begin your search for the best nipple shield, we used the above guidelines from lactation consultants and polled members of the What to Expect community, as well as our editors, to see what they’ve tried and loved. Here, the best nipple shields for breastfeeding moms.

Why Trust Us?

Best Nipple Shield for Sensitive Nipples

Philips Avent Nipple Protector

Best Nipple Shields - Philips Avent Nipple Protector
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Pros: Comfortable, easy to hold, included carrying case
Cons: Lack of sizes

Why We Love It

Skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding is important, but one downside of circular-shaped nipple shields is that they reduce the surface area of a mother’s skin that baby can come into contact with. The Philips Avent Nipple Shield aims to alleviate that issue with a unique shape that maximizes skin-to-skin contact and keeps baby’s nose away from the silicone, so they only smell Mom.

This shield also gets two thumbs up for its durability. Moms say it holds up through multiple feedings and washings, all at an unbeatable price. And here’s another bonus: The unique design actually helps you hold it in place, since you can slip your fingers around the silicone sides to get a better grip. A handy case is also included so you can keep your shields and lower the risk of misplacing them.

Size: 21.6 mm (diameter)

Number of shields: 2

Best Nipple Shield for Babies With Tongue Ties

Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shield

Best Nipple Shields - Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shield
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Pros: Special cutout for holding, included carrying case
Cons: Only two available sizes

Why We
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Reviews
Why We Love It

Breastfeeding can be especially tough for babies with tongue ties (also known as ankyloglossia), since their tongue’s range of motion is restricted due to the extra tissue growth beneath it. As a result, getting the hang of latching and proper suction is a little trickier — but not impossible.

Many moms like the Lansinoh Contact Nipple Shield for its lower profile, which accommodates babies with a shallower latch (this is often a side effect of the condition). These shields can be a great asset if you’re looking for something to hold you over before baby’s tongue tie can be fixed, or just to strengthen their latch before you transition back to breastfeeding without a shield.

Sizes: 20 and 24 mm

Community Reviews

“I love the Lansinoh, stays in place without wetting pretty well.”

- Ssummers2

Best Nipple Shield for Small Nipples

Purifyou Nipple Shield

Best Nipple Shields - Purifyou Nipple Shield
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$15
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Pros: Unique easy-to-use design, great value, included carrying case
Cons: Only two available sizes

Why We
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Why We Love It

Some moms credit this nipple shield for “saving” their breastfeeding experience. Purifyou Nipple Shields are BPA- and BPS-free and feature a unique wide, curved design that allows you to better hold it in place while feeding baby, since it mimics the natural shape of your breast. 

The set comes at a sweet price — especially considering you get three in each pack (you’ll always have one on standby, just in case!).You’re definitely getting bang for your buck. And if you’re not satisfied, that’s okay — you can get a full refund or exchange at any time. (How’s that for convenience?)

Sizes: 20 and 24 mm

Community Reviews

“These nipple shields probably saved my nursing relationship with my little one. He was born small and has a high palette and a shallow latch. Combined with my small nipples and fast let down, this made all feedings excruciating for me and ineffective for him. He was rapidly losing weight due to not being able to get enough food at each feeding. The LC I consulted watched me feed him and weighed him both with and without the shields, and with them he took in more than double the amount of milk. So far they have not affected my supply at all, and he is gaining weight again!”

Best Nipple Shield for Transitioning From Bottle to Breast

Haakaa Nipple Shield

Best Nipple Shields - Haakaa Nipple Shield
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$11
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$16
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$11
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Pros: Anti-slip features, resembles a bottle nipple
Cons: Too small for some moms

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Why We Love It

You may think there’s no going back once you start giving baby a bottle, but transitioning her back to the breast can happen, and this shield may help.

The Haakaa Nipple Shield — from the same brand as the widely beloved manual pump — has a symmetrical “butterfly” design and anti-slip ridge that make it easier for Mom to hold in place. And if you know and love the brand’s pump, you can be rest assured this has the same powerful suction, thanks to the thick silicone and asymmetrical design. Moms also like the shape of the nipple, which is designed a bit more like a bottle to help ease baby into breastfeeding with some familiarity. Best of all, it’s made to fit all nipple sizes.

Size: 22 mm

Community Reviews

“Someone suggested the Haakaa [nipple] shield and it is amazing. It’s shaped like a bottle nipple and suctions on to your breast so you can have a hands free experience. If anyone was interested in trying to breastfeed after exclusively bottle feeding I highly recommend this nipple shield”

- sveale1011

Best Nipple Shield for Latching Issues

Ameda Contact Nipple Shield

Best Nipple Shields - Ameda Contact Nipple Shield
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Pros: Thin and flexible
Cons: Only one size, no carrying case

Why We
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Why We Love It

Sometimes, your baby just doesn’t want to latch, and the reason may not have anything to do with the shape of your nipple or your milk flow or … well, anything about you at all. If you fall into this camp, many moms swear by the Ameda Contact Nipple Shield, also a favorite product among lactation consultants.

This shield is made from ultra-thin, flexible silicone, and it has a nipple shape that just seems to click with many babies who experience breast refusal. Another bonus? Moms report that it stays in place well, which will save you a lot of unnecessary stress while you’re feeding.

Size: 24 mm

Community Reviews

“They are great when breastfeeding my nipples were saved especially on my left one due to having an inverted nipple the struggle was real but the shield saved my breast and it gaved my nipples a break when they got to sore and cracked after a month or two I no longer needed them just once in a while.”

Best Nipple Shield for Short Nipples

Medela Nipple Shield

Best Nipple Shields - Medela Nipple Shield
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$12
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Pros: Come in a range of sizes, easy to hold in place
Cons: No carrying case

Why We
Love it
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Why We Love It

Before you started breastfeeding, it may not have even occurred to you that your nipples might be “short.” But when it comes to nursing, shorter nipples can sometimes make latching a little trickier. Many new moms say the Medela Contact Nipple Shield helped ease them into a better breastfeeding routine by teaching their babies how to latch while also protecting their nipples from pain.

These shields are BPA-free, designed to promote more skin-to-skin contact and come in a range of sizes to choose from. (Make sure to ask a lactation consultant what size you should use, since it's not necessarily a one-to-one relationship with the size of your own nipple.)

Size: 20 mm (also available in 24 and 16 mm)

Community Reviews

“I had great success with the Medela ones. I had flat nipples and used Medela brand for the first three months of breastfeeding before we were able to nurse without one. I tried other brand but always went back to Medela.”

- Jordank427

“I used and loved the medela nipple shields and my daughter had no confusion with nipples, shields, or bottles. Medela worked well for us to protect my nipple a bit until baby’s mouth got bigger because she had a terrible latch.”

- Sigrid-T

Best Nipple Shield for Flat or Inverted Nipples

Haakaa Two-Pack Inverted Nipple Correctors

Best Nipple Shields - Haakaa Two-Pack Inverted Nipple Correctors
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Pros: Comes with carrying case, dishwasher safe
Cons: Some say you should be ready to breastfeed right after using

Why We Love It

Inverted or flat nipples are fairly common, but boy can they sure throw a wrench into your breastfeeding plans. That said, it's still possible to breastfeed; it just might take a little training at first (for both of you).

Haakaa Inverted Nipple Correctors are designed specifically for flat or inverted nipples. Called "nipple aspirators," they use suction and gentle pressure to help draw them out before feedings for easier milk flow.

You put them on before you're planning to feed your little one and remove them before you nurse. The results last for two hours, and you must repeat the process with each feeding. They're sold two to a pack and can be tossed in the dishwasher; a case is also included.

author image
Medically Reviewed Medically Reviewed
by Jennifer Ritchie, I.B.C.L.C.

Jennifer Ritchie is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (I.B.C.L.C.) who spent more than a decade helping countless parents navigate breastfeeding challenges, including latching difficulties, painful nursing, low milk production, inadequate weight gain and induced lactation. She has worked with big-name celebrities and as an on-location consultant. Committed to providing community-based, long-term support to breastfeeding mothers, Ritchie’s insights and approach empower thousands of new and expecting moms to embrace the joys and challenges of motherhood.