Nipple shields

‘’Friend or foe’’?  (Mohrbacher 2010) Nipple shields are a tools like any other tool: ‘’good’’ or ‘’bad’’ depends largely on indication and techniques than on the thing itself. Despite the overgrowth of protocols for about any medical piece of equipment, no protocols exist for the use of nipple shields in the professional literature. This lack of protocols does not prevent any of the recommendations to use nipple shields by health care professionals, including lactation consultants. (Eglash et al 2010; in a self-reporting study, so only already interested subjects answered the questionnaires, this may influence outcomes.) The majority advice nipple shields for the use in premature infants who have difficulty staying at the bare breast and transferring adequate milk. Most concerns consider the use of nipple shields by other health care providers without sufficient follow-up care. When used for good reasons and with professional instruction and follow up the newest generation of ultra-thin silicon nipple shield s are no hazard to milk production.

Eglash A, Ziemer AL, ChevalierA: Health Professionals' Attitudes and Use of Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Women. Breastfeeding Medicine. August 2010, 5(4):147-151.

Mohrbacher N: Nipple Shield: Friend or Foe? http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2010/9/19/nipple-shield-friend-or-foe.html