7 Best Nipple Shields to Help With Latching and Minimize Pain

Though there are many nipple shields on the market, What to Expect moms overwhelmingly recommend the Medela Contact Nipple Shield, saying this brand helped ease them into a better breastfeeding routine by teaching their babies how to latch while also protecting their nipples from pain. 

Not only are these shields BPA-free and come in a range of sizes (they’re available in 16, 20 and 24 mm, though it’s sometimes harder to find the smallest option in stores), but they’re also designed to promote skin-to-skin contact. The ultra thin silicone has a cutout at the top that allows your baby’s nose to nuzzle your skin while they feed.

I personally used these nipple shields when each of my newborns were learning how to breastfeed and found that they really helped my babies latch. Like many new moms, I found nursing tricky due to flat nipples, and these shields helped me continue my breastfeeding journey when otherwise I may have stopped due to the pain and frustration. Many moms in our community who also have flat nipples and struggled with latching praise these shields for helping them nurse.

Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director, was given Medela's shields by a  lactation consultant to help keep her flat nipples erect while nursing. She says they were a “complete game-changer” and, without them, she’s not sure if she would have continued breastfeeding. 

“What I really liked about the Medela shields is that they’re small and thin, so it helps the process feel more natural,” Leah says. “Sometimes I’d forget they were on and accidentally wear them all day.”

This set of two comes with a handy clamshell-style carrying case, crucial for helping to keep the shields clean and away from germs when not in use. (Make sure to wash the case frequently, too.)

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, as its lower profile accommodates babies with a shallower latch, which 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.

Regardless of whether your little one has tongue tie, though, this is a great nipple shield. Many What to Expect moms say they look and feel very similar to the Medela shields, and they’re a little more affordable, too. The downside is that they’re only available in two sizes, so wouldn’t be the best option for someone who needs a 16 mm shield.

From the makers of the popular baby bottles, Dr. Brown’s Nipple Shields are one of the few on the market to offer extended sizing: Their Size 1 nipple shield goes up to 24 mm, while the Size 2 is appropriate for those 25 mm and above. Most nipple shields max out around 23 or 24 mm, making this one of the best options for moms with larger nipples. (Other good options include the Medela 24 mm and the Haakaa Nipple Shield with its round, wide base.) 

Though they’re on the pricier side, these silicone shields come two to a pack along with a carrying case. There are also additional holes on the tips of these nipple shields, which helps prevent milk from pooling (something that may happen if you have oversupply).

Some moms do say that the shape of these nipple shields — they’re less elongated than others on the market — make it hard for some babies to latch, however. Many moms also report that the silicone is also especially soft and thin, which some appreciate but others find to feel too flimsy.

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 because it mimics the natural shape of your breast.  Many moms say that this design seems to help the shields stay in place a little better. And, of all the products on this list, it’s by far the cheapest option, breaking down to just $4 per set — you’ll always have one on standby, just in case!

They also come with a case that’s big enough to hold a pacifier, so you can continue using it after you’ve eventually weaned your baby off the shields. Best yet, Purifyou’s nipple shields are available in smaller sizes than many other brands (16 mm and 18 mm in addition to the standard 20 mm and 24 mm), making them a good choice for those with smaller nipples.

For those looking to transition from bottle to breastfeeding, finding a nipple shield that is similar to a bottle might be helpful.

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 moms to hold it 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. 

Although it doesn’t work for everyone, many moms who have been primarily bottle-feeding call the Haakaa Nipple Shield a “game changer.” They find that their babies like the shape of the nipple, which is designed a bit more like a bottle to help ease little ones into breastfeeding with some familiarity. Best of all, it’s made to fit all nipple sizes, so you don’t have to worry about selecting the right size. Those with flat or inverted nipples also found this shield to work well as it creates great suction.

There is some texture on this shield, a feature that Dr. Chan says can sometimes be confusing for babies, but this may not be a problem for little ones who are already used to the texture on a bottle nipple. It’s also one of the more expensive nipple shields on the market and does not come with a case, so you’ll have to find something to store it in when not in use.

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. If that’s the case for you, many moms recommend the Haakaa Silicone Nipple Shield — the brand’s more “traditional”-looking nipple shield that more closely resembles a real nipple than a bottle.

This nipple shield is well suited for nipples that are on the smaller and shorter side: It’s 15 mm, one of the smallest options on the market, and is less elongated than comparable products. (That said, the smaller size means this isn’t a good option for anyone with larger, longer nipples.) Like many of the other nipple shields on this list, it’s made from ultra thin silicone, and is slightly curved at the top to allow baby’s nose to touch your skin while they feed.

And although the silicone is very thin, it’s one of the few nipple shields on the market that’s dishwasher-safe, making it a breeze to clean.

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. (Pumping right before breastfeeding can have the same effect, too.)

They’re a little different than the other nipple shields on this list because 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.