Breastfeeding takes a lot of practice for most mothers and babies. The use of a nipple shield can be very helpful if a baby is having problems latching on correctly, is ill or premature, or is distressed from nipple confusion. The soft silicone shield helps to guide the baby, and also protects the mother’s sensitive nipple from painful damage.
Nipple shields keep a lot of mothers and babies breastfeeding when they would have given up otherwise. If nipple shields are not properly cared for, they can cause health problems for both the mother and child. Each time a nipple shield is used it should be cleaned with soap and hot water. Additionally, each nipple shield should be boiled once a day. Certain brands of nipple shields are dishwasher safe and this can replace boiling and save you time. If you plan to sanitize your nipple shields in the dishwasher, be sure that they are truly dishwasher safe, and that your hot water heater is set at a temperature to disinfect.
If nipple shields are not cleaned and maintained in this manner they may not work correctly, causing frustration for both mother and baby. The silicone may become too soft or too brittle, causing cracking and splitting that can pinch or scratch the nipple or the baby’s mouth. Proper cleansing will save time and money, as the shields can be used again and again if they are cared for.
Improper cleansing of the nipple shields may also have health risks. Any bacteria left from the baby’s mouth or mothers breast will stay on the nipple shield. In the right environment, the bacteria may also multiply as well as come into contact with anything in the air. Then, if this is put back onto the mother’s nipple and back into the baby’s mouth, both are exposed to potentially harmful bacteria. This is not good! The last thing a struggling mother and baby need is to develop a bacterial infection!
So, for the function of the nipple shield, cost effectiveness, and health reasons it’s a good idea to cleanse the shields after each use and boil or sanitize them in the dishwasher once a day. The cleansing process takes very little time but will provide peace of mind and an easier feeding experience for all involved.
When purchasing the nipple shields, it’s a good idea to buy several pair so that you can grab a clean shield if you have forgotten to cleanse or sanitize those that have already been used. It’s better to have more than you may need instead of being forced to use shields that have not been properly cleaned.
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful experience, even with the use of nipple shields. As natural as breastfeeding is, there are still actions that need to be taken to ensure the experience is a healthy one. If a routine of cleaning and maintenance is established from the start it will be much easier to continue as you go along.
