Our Shield Maidens are designed to protect nipples and support breastfeeding during latching difficulties or nipple soreness.

✅ What the Shield Maiden Helps With

• They can support premature babies who are not yet physiologically ready to nurse effectively.
• They can help regulate the flow of milk for babies when the mother has an overly fast let-down.
• They can protect damaged nipples while underlying causes are being addressed.
• They can help babies who prefer bottles learn to nurse, especially when mothers have flat or inverted nipples.
• They can assist babies with low muscle tone or a recessed jaw.
• They can support babies who have tongue-tie, lip-tie, or an abnormal palate.

Cleaning

Clean the Shield Maidens and their carrying case by washing them with warm, soapy water and rubbing them thoroughly.

Alternatively, you may wash them in the dishwasher on the top rack in a safe, contained area such as a cutlery basket.

To extend their lifespan, avoid drying them on high heat.

Allow the parts to air-dry or dry them with a clean cloth.

Once clean and dry, store them in the carrying case or another clean, dry container until the next use.

Sterilizing

The Shield Maidens may be sterilized using your preferred sterilizer.

Be cautious with very high heat or intense sterilization methods, as these may wear down breastfeeding and pumping gear over time.

FDA Guidance

"It is not possible to completely sterilize breast pump parts at home, even by boiling them. However, sterilization is not required to keep the parts safe. Thorough cleaning with warm water and liquid dish soap is sufficient."

Putting on the shield

• If the shield frequently falls off, it may be the wrong size.
• Nipple shields should generally be several millimeters smaller than your pump flange size.
• To apply the shield, turn it partway inside out so it draws the nipple and areola deeply into the shield.
• Ensure that the smooth side rests against your breast and the velvety side faces your baby.

Getting and maintaining a good latch

• Encourage your baby to root by allowing them to move their head until they locate the nipple.
• Touch the tip of the shield to your baby’s upper lip until they open their mouth wide and extend their tongue.
• Allow your baby to latch deeply onto the shield so that the cone of the shield is fully in their mouth.
• The Shield Maiden should not be pulled in and out of your baby’s mouth, as this indicates a shallow latch.
• Your baby should be able to compress your nipple and part of your areola in the shield between their hard and soft palate.
• As with bare breastfeeding, your baby’s body position and alignment with your body are essential.

Latch Positioning Tips

1. Raise your baby to breast height.
2. Place your baby’s bottom close to your ribs and under your opposite breast.
3. Support your baby by holding their shoulders and the base of their skull, not above the ears.
4. Keep your baby’s chin off their chest.
5. With your free hand, support your breast behind the areola, with your fingers underneath.
6. Press gently with your thumb at the edge of the areola to angle the nipple toward your baby’s nose.
7. Touch your nipple to your baby’s lower lip.
8. Wait until your baby opens their mouth wide with their tongue extended.
9. Pull your baby toward your breast while their mouth is wide open and their chin is lifted.

Whether you continue to use the shields or wean off of them, know that you’re doing the best thing for you and your baby.

Talking with your doctor, pediatrician and lactation consultant can help you address any underlying, physical barriers to bare-breast nursing.

Here are some tips to help you wean:

1. When bringing your baby to the bare breast, express milk onto your nipple and areola. The scent and skin-to-skin contact will encourage nursing without the shield.
2. Try bare-breast nursing when your baby is drowsy but still somewhat hungry.
3. Begin feeding with the nipple shield, then unlatch your baby, quickly remove the shield, and re-latch your baby to the bare breast.
4. Avoid attempting to nurse without the shield when your baby is very hungry, as this can cause frustration and resistance.
5. If you have flat or inverted nipples, or if you have a very strong let-down, try pumping or using a silicone suction cup before offering the bare breast.
6. Be kind and patient with yourself and your baby during the process. Speak soothingly and gently, and give yourself grace as you both learn.

Always inspect the guards before use, and discard them if they appear damaged or defective.

If you experience pain or problems, consult your lactation consultant or physician.

Clean all parts immediately after receiving your Shield Maidens and after each use.

Use the Shield Maidens only for their intended purpose, and do not allow children to use them unsupervised.

Never allow children to play with the Shield Maidens or put them in their mouths, as nipple shields and guards pose a choking hazard if swallowed.