About benefits and value breastfeeding you can talk a lot. However, not all women can boast of a pleasant experience of this process. Many suffer from pain and because of this they resort to a modern invention - breast pads for feeding.
What are breastfeeding shields?

Special attachments made of latex or silicone are designed in such a way that they fit under any breast shape. The composition of the material used is safe and does not harm the health of the child. Breastfeeding pads are designed to make breastfeeding easier. They are used when a woman, due to physiological or other reasons, cannot feed naturally.

There are many opinions about whether or not attachments should be used. Many doctors advise using this device only in extreme cases:

• Initial stage of lactation. In the first days of the postpartum period, young mothers encounter painful sensations during feeding, which are associated with improper attachment of the child to the breast.
• Baby's refusal to breastfeed. If a baby has been bottle-fed with formula or milk for a long time, he may refuse to latch on to the breast. This happens because it is easier to eat from a bottle. When breastfeeding, the baby spends some effort to get milk. Modern breast pads for feeding are similar in shape and quality to a bottle nipple. In order to wean a baby to the breast, the use of such attachments is considered acceptable.
• Any damage to the nipple that causes unbearable pain while breastfeeding.
• Birth injuries. If a child has these, the work process may be slowed down. nervous system, which causes the baby to suckle incorrectly. To teach sucking, feeding attachments or false breasts are often used.
• If your child is teething. At this time, children's behavior is very restless and capricious. During this period, the gums are very itchy, and babies often do this on their mother’s nipple. Biting the nipple during feeding causes discomfort and sharp pain. Women have to use attachments in such cases.
• Non-standard nipple structure. Various physiological abnormalities of the nipples occur: non-standard size, elongation, flatness, etc.

If you have the above problems, you should try to solve them without using pads and only if the problem cannot be solved, use them.

Disadvantages of using breastfeeding shields

Many studies by specialists in this field have revealed the following:

• The psychological contact between mother and child decreases, which causes a decrease in the amount of milk produced. This happens due to a disruption in the functioning of oxytocin, which relaxes the milk flow.
• A woman spends more time feeding. Not all of the sucked milk reaches the baby; some of it leaks, and in order for the baby to eat the required dose, you need to keep him at the breast for much longer than with normal feeding.
• When using a chest attachment, the baby often swallows air, which entails unwantedconsequences: abdominal cramps, regurgitation, bloating.
• Violation of the sucking mechanism. No matter how thin the material from which the nipple covers are made, the baby’s sucking intensity is disrupted. This happens especially often during the decline of lactation.
• Breast attachments are inconvenient to use for feeding outside the home, as well as at night.
• Those women who use breast pads for a long time are more likely to suffer from mammary candidiasis.

How to choose the right breast pads?

There are many manufacturers of breastfeeding pads: Avent, Medela, World of Childhood, etc. Even the most experienced mothers may get lost in the variety of companies. When choosing nozzles, consider the following:

Each person individually chooses a manufacturer of pads based on the physiological characteristics of the child and mother, as well as the financial situation of the family, since the cost of these products has a wide range of prices.

How to properly feed with a breastfeeding shield

If the situation is such that the use of attachments for breastfeeding is necessary, you should adhere to certain rules:

1. First of all, you need to boil the pad.
2. Before use, moisten the inside of the pad with a few drops of expressed milk or boiled water. This helps it adhere to the breast and thereby ensures convenience during feeding.
3. After this, you need to turn the edges of the nozzle as far as possible and attach it to the nipple so that it fits completely into the artificial one.
4. The final stage is to firmly press the edges of the pad to the chest.

It doesn’t matter how breastfeeding happens - with or without a shield, the baby is the basic rule good feeding which will avoid painful sensations. It is also necessary to carefully monitor the position of the lining itself, making sure that it does not move.

Indicators of successful feeding through the nozzle are the feeling of a rush of milk in the mother within a few minutes after the start of feeding, as well as the frequency of the baby’s stool and weight gain.

The absence of stagnation of milk is also a sign that the breast is completely empty.

Feeding should only be completed at the baby’s initiative. You need to wait for the moment when he releases the nipple.

Main types of breast pads

There are three types of breast pads:

Storing Breast Pads

Hygiene is a basic rule that applies to any contact with a child. Before using breastfeeding pads for the first time, you should wash them under running water. Then they should be placed in a container, filled with cold water and put on fire. It is very important that the linings do not come into contact with the walls of the container in which boiling occurs. After the water boils, you need to wait three to four minutes and only then remove from the stove. Having taken the pads out of the water, place them on a dry, clean towel, cover them on top and wait until they dry. This procedure is performed only before the first use. There is no need to do this every time after feeding, as the material may become rough.

After the next use of the pads, they must be rinsed with warm water and dried on a dry towel. The attachments are stored either in special containers or on a towel covered on top.

Proper use and storage of the pads ensure a long service life.

What to do to wean your child off breast pads

According to experts, the method of weaning a child from breast pads is as important as the feeding process itself. Where is the best place to start:

1. During feeding, you need to remove the nozzle, but you need to do this as quickly as possible, there is a chance that the child will not notice the change.
2. A sleepy baby should be offered the breast without a pad more often. At night, the baby can latch onto the breast without an accessory.
3. Every day you need to reduce the area of ​​the silicone pad, cutting off little by little, thereby increasing the area of ​​contact between the child and the mother’s body.

There are times when it is very difficult for babies to refuse pads. All cases are individual, and if it is difficult for the child to return to normal feeding, the mother just needs to be patient; this process can take up to several weeks.

In the process of abandoning breast pads, you should spend more time with the child, pick him up more often and sleep together, this will increase the contact between him and the mother, which will have a beneficial effect on the changes.

You should discard all objects that imitate breasts (pads, nipples, etc.) and remove them from the baby’s field of view. If there is a need for additional feeding, it is best to do this with expressed milk from a cup.

Breastfeeding pads are positioned as helpers for an inexperienced mother without negative aspects. This leads to their distribution and uncontrolled use. The consequence of this is a disruption of the natural process of breastfeeding, up to its replacement with artificial one. Let's look into this issue better.

Basic concepts and types

Breastfeeding pads are special devices made of synthetic materials. Designed to be placed on the nipple in case of problems when the baby sucks it. Depending on the components, there are 3 types:

Rubber

These are the ancestors of modern overlays. On at the moment they are not used due to many disadvantages:

• large wall thickness;
• specific smell;
• rapid wear;
• allergic reactions;
• "hardness" of the material.

Plastic

Silicone

Silicone nipple covers for feeding made from silicon and oxygen polymers. Their widespread use depends on 5 reasons:

• hypoallergenic;
• softness of the frame;
• no odors;
• elasticity;
• minimum wall thickness.

Most modern manufacturers produce products from silicone. They follow the shape of the nipple, have holes for the flow of milk and a recess on the side of the baby’s nose. Due to this design, the most approximate model of the natural maternal breast is created.

What are they for?

Breastfeeding experts advise that silicone breast pads for feeding should be treated as a medical device. The application has strong indications:

1. From the mother's side:

• non-healing nipple cracks or bites;
• anatomical features – flat, retracted.

1. From the child's side:

• short lower frenulum;
• poor sucking reflex (in low birth weight children and perinatal encephalopathy);
• complete refusal of breasts without pads;
• period .

In other cases, their use is impractical.

Markova O.O., consultant on breastfeeding, St. Petersburg

There is nothing more beautiful in motherhood than being able to breastfeed your child. The consultants' task is to maintain and improve this process.

Protective equipment is not a panacea, but an absolute necessity.. How to use breastfeeding pads and when a doctor or breastfeeding specialist will tell you.

The silicone pad is much harder than the mother’s breast, and in order to get milk, the baby will bite the breast, working not only with the tongue, but also with the jaw

Maternal factors arise due to incorrect technique for attaching the baby, incomplete latching of the nipple!

Their effect is dictated by a decrease in mechanical impact on the nipples. When the underlying problems are eliminated, there is no need to use breast pads for feeding.

With testimony from the baby, the situation is different. Mothers have to resort to using devices before surgery and normalization of the child’s condition.

There have been cases of use of products during the entire breastfeeding period (more than six months), when there was no observed side effects. This is due to good lactation and the baby's sucking reflex.

Doctors and breastfeeding specialists recommend resorting to protective products in extreme cases. The period of their use is reduced to a minimum!

Pros and cons of use

One of the joys of motherhood is painless breastfeeding. For large and long-term nipple injuries, this process brings negative emotions. The mother experiences pain, which affects lactation.

Pros

The main advantages of using protective devices in such cases are:

1. reduction, complete elimination of discomfort or pain during feeding;
2. maintaining the process of normal milk production.

Cons

There are numerous disadvantages that limit the scope of application. These include:

The right pads should fit snugly and not create discomfort during feeding.

1. due to incomplete emptying of the breast;
2. the risk of developing mastitis and mastopathy due to a favorable environment in the lining for the development of bacteria and fungi (if cleanliness conditions are not observed);
3. incorrect sucking technique, since silicone provides additional rigidity to the breast, forcing the baby to put more effort when feeding;
4. decreased lactation due to improper nipple latching, resulting in insufficient nipple stimulation;
5. inconvenience when feeding the baby at night and in public places;
6. improper dressing leads to slipping off during sucking;
7. increasing feeding time;
8. the formation of secondary lactase deficiency (the baby does not “get” to the hind milk with enzymes for digestion);
9. stopping breastfeeding.

There are more disadvantages to using than advantages. This explains the negative attitude of doctors and breastfeeding specialists towards them.

Sergeeva A.M., local pediatrician, Kazan

Recently, mothers have been widely using nipple protectors. With insufficient lactation, this leads to low weight gain in the baby.

Dressing technique

To avoid errors in the form of jumping off while your baby is sucking, you need to know how to use breastfeeding pads correctly. To do this, perform 6 manipulations:

1. Before initial use - sterilization by boiling or steam.
2. Moistened silicone adheres more tightly to the skin.
3. Stimulate the nipple using a breast pump, hand expression, or “pulling.”
4. Carefully turn out.
5. Place it on the nipple with the baby's nose part facing up.
6. Put on the product.

When worn correctly, the device meets 3 requirements:

• fits tightly to the chest;
• the nipple occupies 2/3 of the internal volume;
• There is no pain in the mother.

Instructions on how to put on the nursing pads are included in the package. Read it carefully.

We invite you to watch a video on how to put on breast pads and care for them:

Breast pads for feeding, such as nipples and bottles, must be sterile and clean before use. This is achieved by periodic boiling. It is necessary for the prevention of oral candidiasis in a baby and infection of the mother’s nipples.

More information about and care products can be found in this article.

How to choose

There are many devices in different price categories on the modern market. At the same time, mothers are concerned with the question of how to choose silicone breastfeeding pads.

There are no uniform guidelines. You can choose what suits you by purchasing several options. Before purchasing, the size of the stimulated nipple is determined at home, which will allow you to choose the size.

Breastfeeding covers come in different prices. Experts advise choosing protective devices from trusted companies that use high-quality materials in manufacturing.

Some types are presented in the table.

Manufacturing company	Country	Advantages	Flaws	Price, rub.
Avent	England	They have 3 sizes. Made of thin silicone, elastic and wear-resistant. The set includes a storage case. Has recesses for baby's nose on both sides.	High cost. Easy to peel off.	From 550
Medela	Switzerland	They have several sizes. The kit includes a plastic container. 4 holes for the baby to receive milk. Hypoallergenic. Wear-resistant.	Price. One recess for the baby's nose.	From 500
Chicco	Italy	3 sizes. 4 holes for milk. Thin, lightweight silicone. It has no smell or taste. They have raised rings similar to those on the nipple.	Price. There is no storage container. One recess for the baby's nose.	From 600
Pigeon	Thailand	There is a size chart. Storage container. 4 holes for milk flow.	Recess for baby's nose on 1 side. They do not have a relief surface.	From 370
World of childhood	Russia	Hypoallergenic. Inexpensive. They have no foreign odor.	3 holes for milk flow. There is no recess for the nose. They have thick walls. One size.	From 160

According to reviews, the first 3 breastfeeding pads are more popular. This is due to their quality.

Komissarova T.E., obstetrician-gynecologist, Kolomna

In primiparous women, cracks appear when starting breastfeeding. For the most part, this is due to improper attachment of the child. Don't immediately run to the pharmacy.

You need to choose trusted companies, for example, silicone feeding pads Avent, Medela, Chicco. They will bring temporary relief, but the problem will remain. Learn correct technique There will be no feeding and no need to use pads.

5 “golden” rules for weaning your baby off protective pads

Lactation consultants unanimously insist that the use of various devices is inappropriate. However, many mothers purchase them as a temporary measure to alleviate their condition. How to refuse them if the baby does not want to take the breast without a breastplate? Let's tell you 5 simple tricks:

1. A sleepy and hungry baby will always latch onto the breast without a protective device.
2. Frequent contact with the mother provides an increased need for her warmth and smell. At the same time Offer the breast more often, which will increase the chances of breastfeeding being rejected..
3. Reducing the silicone surface area (trimming).
4. Alternating during one breastfeeding with and without a pad.
5. Patience, calmness, and poise of the mother are an important factor in normalizing the natural process. It is very difficult to find sedatives for breastfeeding women, maybe the next one will help.

Doctors say that the shorter the period of use, the easier the baby takes the breast.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding pads are used strictly as indicated for a short period of time. This will help avoid many problems, delivering the natural joys of motherhood.

The importance of mother's milk for a child cannot be overestimated. However, sometimes unpleasant phenomena such as cracks or discomfort in the nipple area can disrupt its natural course. Will breastfeeding pads help in this case? Let's consider all the advantages and disadvantages of this device.

Pros and cons of using overlays

Sometimes breastfeeding shields are the only option for maintaining breastfeeding. However, the use of overlays in some cases is unnecessary and causes additional problems.

When should you use breastfeeding shields?

• The baby does not want to suckle after feeding him expressed milk from a bottle. Breastfeeding shields will feel like a pacifier for your baby, making the transition to natural feeding effortless.
• Severe pain and discomfort in the chest during breastfeeding.
• Supplemental feeding of the baby, lying at the breast, when milk production dies down and the baby does not want to suckle. The pad can be connected to the bottle with a special tube.
• A premature baby will not have enough strength to suckle at the breast. The pad can facilitate the sucking process and thereby increase lactation.
• Slow development of the baby's nervous system due to difficult labor may be the cause of insufficiently active breastfeeding. The pads will help your child learn this.
• Nipple defects - flat or inverted nipples do not allow the baby to latch normally; breastplates will minimize discomfort during breastfeeding.
• Abnormal structure of the oral cavity in a child.

Any of the above concerns should be discussed with a specialist before a breastfeeding mother starts using breastfeeding shields. If the use of other techniques for attaching the baby to the breast is ineffective, then only the use of pads is recommended, and then as a temporary remedy to avoid problems.

Problems encountered when using overlays

• Anomalies in the structure of the nipple have virtually no effect on the baby’s grasp of it, who can adapt to any of its shapes.
• Some studies suggest that pads can reduce milk production by almost half.
• The use of pads changes the sucking mechanism, which can cause the extinction of lactation.
• The duration of feeding increases, the baby cannot get enough due to the fact that the milk is leaking.
• Colic and flatulence - frequent companions Due to the ingestion of air, this occurs more often during application of the pad.
• Night feeding or feeding outside the home may be limited due to the inconvenience of using the shield.
• Insufficient sterility of the lining is a common cause of nipple infection. Breast candidiasis is a fairly common occurrence during the use of breast pads.

Which breast pad manufacturers are the best?

• Philips Avent
• Medela Contact

Having no extraneous fragrances, no taste, made of thin silicone, pads from both manufacturers, which have proven themselves well among young mothers, will help you feel the necessary contact between mother and child during feeding. The assortment includes overlays of several sizes, which are selected individually.

How to choose the right size?

If possible, it is advisable to try on breastfeeding pads. different manufacturers. For premature and weak babies, pads are usually chosen minimum size, while first making sure that it suits the mother.

The ideal shield should follow the silhouette of the nipple and fit comfortably without being too tight. Rubber and latex are not high-quality materials for the manufacture of pads due to their rigidity and frequent allergic reactions to them. Silicone can ensure heat transfer from the breast during feeding, as it is a fairly safe, thin material. It is better to give preference to trusted manufacturers, as they conduct numerous tests and studies of their products, ensuring complete safety of the products.

1. Before the first use, the pad is sterilized.
2. If the nipple is tense, turn the pad inside out, apply it to the nipple and wrap it, ensuring a sufficiently tight fit.
3. A wet pad is easier to attach.
4. Add a few drops of milk into the pad and baby would rather understand what he needs to do.
5. The cutout of the pad is located in the place where the baby attaches his nose to the breast.
6. Sucking the breast through a breast shield should not differ from natural breastfeeding - the baby opens his mouth wide, grasping the areola.

With the birth of the baby, the family plunges into an incredible atmosphere of love and affection. The next important stage in the life of a young mother is breastfeeding. Sometimes there are problems with this. Often the physiological features of the nipple structure lead to the baby refusing to take it. In this case, a silicone feeding pad becomes an indispensable accessory.

What are silicone pads for?

Breast milk is the healthiest thing a mother can give to her baby. No matter what anyone says, scientists have not yet invented a mixture that completely replicates the composition of mother's milk. And when problems arise with feeding, you should not immediately give up and run to the pharmacy for complementary foods. It is enough to purchase a silicone pad.

This must be done in the following cases:

There is pain in the nipple area. The silicone feeding pad can completely ensure painless feeding of the baby. With it you will receive positive emotions from the process, and not shudder at the thought that it’s time to feed the hungry baby.

There are anatomical defects. There are women whose nipples are flat or even pulled inward. Until they came up with silicone breast pads for feeding, this structure of the female mammary gland caused serious problems for the baby. The children were nervous, crying, and could not latch onto the nipple correctly. All this led to the fact that we had to stop natural feeding. The shield will not only help your baby latch onto the breast, but will also form the correct nipple areola.

Cracks and wounds appeared on the chest. It often happens that a woman starts breastfeeding without problems, but delicate skin the nipple cannot withstand heavy loads, wounds and pain appear. There are special creams that promote faster healing, but they do not always help. Therefore, it is better to purchase silicone feeding pads (reviews about them are only positive). Such devices will allow you to forget forever about the pain when feeding your baby.

How to use silicone nursing pads

It is better to use them occasionally, only when serious problems arise, since the baby can get used to the soft material and completely abandon the breast.

Many people wonder how to put on silicone nursing pads. There are several simple tips that will help you in this process:

The nipple should be in an excited state, for this it needs to be massaged.

The pad should be moistened with warm boiled water so that it fits better to the breast, turn it inside out and put it on the nipple.

Smooth it with your hand until the material fits tightly.

The cutout should be in the place where the baby's nose will be when feeding.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in using the overlay.

Is the material safe?

Nursing pads have been mentioned in medical literature since the early 17th century. Then they were made of silver (a metal capable of killing bacteria and germs) and were intended to give the nipple the desired shape. We wore them between feedings so that the clothes did not come into contact with the skin of the breast.

Nowadays, silicone feeding pads are made of soft, hypoallergenic silicone. It is a plate that bends well and adheres to the skin of the chest. The silicone is denser in the nipple area, which allows you to use the pad many times without the baby ever chewing through it.

Correctly selected size is the key to success

It is important to choose the right size in the overlay; a successful lactation process depends on this. The mother's nipple and the silicone analogue must be identical. You should not trust your relatives with the purchase; a young mother must make the choice herself; no one knows the anatomical features of the breast better than she does.

After the shield is put on, there should be space left for the nipple; when the baby makes the first sucking movements, it should be completely filled. If this does not happen, then the size is too large. Ideally, you should buy several pads of different sizes and try in practice which one would be better suited baby. If the baby begins to choke, it means the device was chosen incorrectly.

Silicone feeding pads, the sizes of which can vary depending on the characteristics of the nipple, will help and facilitate the lactation process.

Advantages

Doctors are still debating whether using a feeding pad is good or bad. The positive aspects include:

No discomfort or pain when feeding the baby.

The pads fit tightly to the skin, hold well, and are comfortable to wear.

Completely hypoallergenic and non-irritating.



Remember: you should not purchase silicone feeding pads that have negative reviews. The lactation process is very important, so it is better to choose a good, high-quality product.

How to properly care for your pads

Before using the product for the first time, it must be sterilized. To do this, pour cold water into a bowl, boil it and put the pads there for 3-5 minutes. After this, place on a dry, clean towel and dry.

In the future, you don’t have to boil the device, since you will use it individually. It is enough to rinse with warm boiled water to remove any remaining milk and wipe with a clean towel.

When the product is not in use, it should be stored in a special container or wrapped in a clean towel.



The silicone feeding pad has become an indispensable device for millions of women who wanted to maintain natural feeding of their baby. Weighing the pros and cons, we can safely say that using such products is allowed, but not on an ongoing basis. The main thing is to choose the right size, do not forget to rinse and wipe the silicone dry to prevent bacteria from appearing and multiplying.

Breast shields are molds made of polymer and designed to protect the nipples. They are usually put on before feeding. Such devices help protect nipples from cracks and other damage.

At the same time, the baby receives a sufficient amount of milk thanks to several small holes. Breast shields for feeding are used only in rare cases. What are their differences and how to choose the right ones?

When to use

After devices such as breast pads for feeding appeared on the market in our country, their popularity increased. After all, the products were recognized as safe and at the same time universal. However, after some time it became clear that such nipple covers for feeding create some difficulties.

It is for this reason that they are recommended to be used only when absolutely necessary. Of course, you shouldn’t perceive such devices as something very bad. For many breastfeeding mothers, nipple shields have helped a lot during the feeding process. In what situations should they be used?

1. For feeding babies of a certain group. First of all, these are children with certain disorders of the central nervous system, as well as premature babies. They often have problems breastfeeding. Such babies are very weak, and it is very difficult for them to suckle at their mother’s breast. As a rule, they either push out the nipple with a tongue or wrap it up. At the same time, the mammary gland is poorly retained in the mouth. Overlays allow a woman to continue breastfeeding. After all, it is so important for a weakened baby.
2. Cracked nipples. Almost every woman encounters this unpleasant phenomenon while feeding her baby. If the injury is severe, putting the baby to the breast causes discomfort and pain to the young mother. Polymer feeding plates help protect cracked nipples. After the breasts have completely healed, you should discard accessories.
3. Increased sensitivity. Every woman has her own pain threshold. If your nipples are too sensitive, you should use breast shields when feeding. But many experts recommend simply enduring the unpleasant period. Over time, your nipples will become rougher.
4. Breast pads can also be used if a baby has a birth injury. This applies to cases where the baby develops nervous system disorders. The baby may suck on the mother's breast sluggishly or may not latch onto the nipple correctly.
5. Similar devices can be used during the process of erupting the baby’s first teeth. During this period, many begin to bite. This can cause serious harm to a nursing mother's breasts. Polymer plates help protect nipples from injury.

As for abnormal breast structure, there are no recommendations for the use of breast pads.

A flat, inverted or too large nipple does not interfere with natural feeding. After all, the baby sucks the entire lower part of the breast.

In such situations, it is necessary to master the appropriate application technique.

Advantages and disadvantages of accessories

Basically, nipple shields are required only when breastfeeding weakened children. In other cases, you can do without them. The use of such devices may cause serious harm natural feeding.

In addition, the problems that arose when putting the baby to the breast will not disappear anywhere and will appear after stopping the use of the products.

Advantages

Breast pads can be useful in some cases. Polymer devices have the following advantages:

• Allows you to reduce the impact on the skin and protect your nipples from damage.
• They have a shape that is familiar to a baby. If in the maternity hospital the child received food from a bottle with a nipple, then the pads will allow you to quickly wean the baby to the breast.
• They make it possible to breastfeed weakened children, as well as babies with abnormal oral structure.

Flaws

In some cases, using breast pads can be harmful. The products have some disadvantages that nursing mothers should be aware of.

1. The child develops incorrect sucking technique, which can only complicate the feeding process in the future.
2. Getting used to unnatural breasts. This phenomenon has been noted with long-term use of the pads.
3. Insufficient stimulation of the glands. This can lead to longer feeding times as well as decreased milk production.
4. Difficulty latching the baby outside the home. In addition, the pads periodically slip off. As a result, the baby swallows air.
5. Uncertainty of a young mother. Many women are afraid to put their baby to the breast after breastfeeding.
6. If nipple shields are not properly cared for, a large number of pathogens accumulate in them, which can lead to the development of gastrointestinal tract diseases in the child.

Types of products

At the moment, there are only three types of devices: silicone, latex and rubber. Each of the varieties has its own disadvantages and advantages.

Rubber accessories for nipples are used extremely rarely. They are not recommended for use. Typically, rubber pads are attached to the glass or plastic base of a regular nipple.

As a result, the baby sucks milk a few centimeters from the mother's breast. In this case, the nipple is not stimulated. Milk usually leaks and accumulates in the pad. Because of this, the baby does not receive enough food.

Latex nipple covers are not particularly popular. Such products are very soft, wear out quickly, and also absorb all odors. In some cases, latex devices cause allergies.

The most popular devices are silicone. They are absolutely harmless and do not cause allergies. Silicone nipple covers are wear-resistant. These are thin and fairly flexible plates. When used, the nipple is well stimulated. Thanks to this, lactation increases.

How to choose the right one

Since choosing feeding pads is not so easy, there are several basic parameters that you should pay special attention to:

1. Product size. What kind of nipple covers should be? You can determine the sizes of accessories yourself. It is best to purchase products from several manufacturers and try them on at home. If the child is weakened, then experts recommend using products small size, but corresponding in shape to the base of the nipple. There should be no feeling of constriction during feeding. A similar phenomenon will indicate that the pad is small. The nipple should not touch the top of the polymer plate. It should be noted that during feeding it increases in size.
2. Material. Breast accessories are made of latex, rubber and silicone. The latter are the most durable. In addition, silicone does not cause allergies.
3. Quality. Linings manufactured in accordance with all requirements must have the appropriate certificates. If the products have an unpleasant odor, then it is better to refuse to purchase them.
4. Number of holes. The number of holes determines how much milk the baby will receive. You should also consider the size of the holes. If the flow of milk is strong, the baby may choke.
5. Thickness of the chest accessory. The best are considered the most thin products. They are practically not felt by a woman. Such overlays fit more tightly to the areola.

How to use it correctly

So how to use breastfeeding shields? Newly purchased products must be sterilized. Accessories cannot be used without pre-treatment. Before use, the nipple should be brought into an excited state. The pad must be turned out and then folded towards the chest. First, the product must be carefully applied to the nipple. The product must fit tightly. Experts recommend wearing it slightly damp. To avoid any difficulties when applying it for the first time, you should drop a little milk on the accessory.

The neckline of the product should be located at the top, since this is where the baby’s nose will be.

Sucking when using the pad should occur in the same way as without the accessory. During the process, the baby's lips should cup the mother's breast above the areola.

How to care for accessories

Shields, like bottle nipples, need to be kept clean at all times. This will eliminate the risk of the child developing gastrointestinal diseases.

However, latex or silicone products should not be sterilized frequently as they become more rigid. How to properly care for polymer accessories?

• Before first use, the product must be boiled. This is a must.
• After each feeding, accessories should be thoroughly washed in soapy water and then dried.
• Periodically, the pads must be boiled to kill all microorganisms on their surface.
• It is recommended to sterilize polymer products with steam. This type of treatment is gentle. It is best to use a steam sterilizer. After it, the silicone pads remain soft. This type of treatment can be done every day. The procedure takes only five minutes.

Pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate in the cavity of the polymer plate. They actively develop in sweet milk. It is for this reason that accessories should be handled carefully.

How to stop using them

Giving up pads is a difficult process for a child. You should not try to immediately exclude the use of such products when putting your baby to the breast. The child may simply refuse it. You need to act carefully. Here are some ways:

1. A new mother can start feeding her baby with a nipple shield. The accessory must be removed during the process. A hungry baby may not notice the substitution.
2. A mother may offer the breast without a breast shield to a sleepy baby. The period of night sleep, as well as awakening, is best time to return the baby to natural feeding.
3. A method based on reducing silicone pads can help a young mother. Before each feeding, you should cut off a small section of the polymer nipple. Gradually it will be possible to abandon the overlays.

If the child persistently refuses to breastfeed

There are situations when getting rid of breast accessories during breastfeeding is not so easy. First of all, you should be patient. Returning to natural feeding may take more than a month.

If the baby refuses to eat without a cover, the young mother should spend more time with him. To do this, you should take your child in your arms more often and even relax with him.

The baby must have constant contact with his mother. The baby should be put to the breast at a time convenient for him.

When feeding, you should avoid any imitators of the mother’s breast. This applies not only to the pads, but also to the nipples. The reflex will cause the baby to gradually switch to the mother's breast.

The process of returning a baby to natural feeding is quite complicated. Therefore, experts recommend using nipple shields for several days. During this period, the baby will not have time to get used to them.