Medela Contact Nipple Shields offer temporary support to you and your baby with latching, protecting nipples during breastfeeding, and supporting the healing of any cracks. You can choose from 3 sizes, made of ultra-thin, soft silicone with a cut-out shape for maximum skin-to-skin contact.

Features

• Made without BPA and taste-free: Safe for mom and baby.
• Ultra-thin, soft silicone: Made from ultra-thin, soft silicone for a gentle feel on skin.
• Unique cut-out design: Allows for maximum skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby.
• Suitable for flat or inverted nipples: Gently extends the nipple to help trigger the suck reflex.
• Helps with latch-on: Helps to position and hold the nipple in the baby's mouth for effective sucking.
• Protects painful nipples during breastfeeding: Helps you continue breastfeeding and allows the nipples to heal.
• Hygienic storage box included: Comes with a certified bio-based plastic case for hygienic storage and convenience on the go.

Intended purpose

The Medela Contact Nipple Shields are intended to cover and protect the nipples of a mother to support breastfeeding.

Indications

The Contact Nipple Shields are indicated for use when the mother has flat or inverted nipples, sore nipples, or suffers from nipple pain. They can also be used when the baby has latch-on problems (such as an atypical sucking technique), when the baby does not transfer the milk well, or for preterm infants who fall asleep almost immediately at the breast.

Contraindications

There are no known contraindications.

How to use

• Wash your hands thoroughly with drinking-quality water and soap before touching the shield and the breast. Dry your hands with a fresh towel or a single-use paper towel.
• Clean the breast and the surrounding area with a damp cloth. Do not use soap or alcohol, which can dry the skin and cause cracked nipples.
• Moisten the shield with water, as this will help it to stick to the skin
• Push the tip almost inside out and grip the wings of the shield
• Place the shield centrally over the nipple. The open section should point in the direction of the baby’s nose during feeding.
• Choosing the correct nipple shield size
• When choosing the correct nipple shield size, you need to consider both mother and baby.
• For the mother:
• The shield should fit comfortably without pinching.
• In the case of a premature infant:
• When grasping the shield, the infant’s lips must be able to reach the flat base of the shield against the breast.

Important safety information

• Use the product only or its intended purpose as described in these instructions for use.
• Use by more than one person without adequate reprocessing may be a health risk and could cause cross-contamination.
• Use Medela original accessories only.
• Do not use if the packaging is open or damaged before first use.
• Inspect before each use. Throw away at the first signs of damage or weakness.
• Never leave packaging and components unattended. Keep them out of reach of children.
• If problems or pain occur, consult your lactation consultant or physician.

Cleaning

Important

• Only use drinking-quality water for cleaning.
• Process the shield and the storage box prior to first use.
• Clean all parts immediately after use.
• The cleaning instructions below are general instructions. For country-specific regulations and guidelines

Before first use and once a day

• Clean the shield and the storage box as described under “After each use”.
• Disinfect the shield and the storage box as described under “Disinfection”.

After each use

• Rinse the parts with cold water (approx.20 °C). Clean the parts with plenty of warm, soapy water (approx.30 °C). Use a commercially available washing-up liquid, preferably without artificial fragrances and colouring. Rinse parts with cold water (approx.20 °C).
• Dry with a clean cloth or leave to dry on a clean cloth.

Disinfection

• Clean the product as described under «Cleaning».
• Cover the parts with water and boil for five minutes.
• Alternatively, clean the parts in the dishwasher. Place them on the top rack or in the cutlery section. Use a commercially available dishwashing detergent.
• Dry with a clean cloth or leave to dry on a clean cloth.

Storage

Put the clean nipple shield in the clean storage box, if available. Alternatively, put the shield in a clean storage bag or a clean environment. It is important that all residual moisture dries. Do not store in an airtight container/bag.

• The product warranty is applicable as per the terms and conditions provided by the product manufacturer.

Please call us for specific details.

• No returns will be accepted after 30 days from the date of shipment.
• All returns are subject to a restocking fee as per manufacturers terms and conditions.
• All returns must have an RGA number (Returned Goods Authorization), unauthorized returns will not be accepted.
• We do not guarantee fulfillment of any desired purpose or product suitability to the user and this will not be considered as a valid reason for return.
• The products must be new, unused condition, not tampered with, in original packaging and returned at the customers expense in the original packaging.
• If your return is not due to any manufacturing defect then the original shipping cost will be deducted from the total refund.
• Hygiene, bath and toilet items cannot be returned once opened or used.
• Standard manufacturer terms and conditions apply for return policy of this product.

Please call us for specific details.

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 moms 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.
• Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist will be able to advise you whether or not nipple shields are appropriate for you, and can also support you with your ongoing breastfeeding needs.

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 sanitizing. Contact Nipple Shields come with a convenient carry case so you can keep them safe between uses.

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 she 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 flavor-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 her requirements.1 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.