What is "nipple shield"

n. a rubber or plastic shield to protect the nipples of nursing women

A nipple shield is a piece of body jewelry worn on the nipple, partially or fully covering the areola. The shield encircles the nipple, and can be stuck on by various means, including suction, friction and the action of glue, but is most often held in place by a nipple piercing. Usually, the primary intent of the nipple shield is to lift, highlight, and ornament the nipple, as well as the whole breast, much as other pieces of jewelry do for other parts of the body.

A shield, particularly the type known as a breast petal, can also be worn to smooth the transition between nipple and breast, so as to disguise the protuberant feature and present a smoother clothed profile. As a breast petal covers the whole nipple and areola, it is, perhaps, better considered a type of pasty, an item of clothing designed to do this.

A nipple shield was infamously shown on television in the United States, and around the world, as part of Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.

A nipple shield is a nipple-shaped sheath worn over the areola and nipple during breastfeeding. Modern nipple shields are made of soft, thin, flexible silicone and have holes at the end of the nipple section to allow the breast milk to pass through. Older nipple shields were made of latex and harder, thicker plastics, and often caused more problems than they solved. A 17th-century nipple shield held in Shakespeare's birthplace is made of pewter.

Nipple shields are used in various situations:

• Some mothers have small or inverted nipples which make it difficult for the baby to latch on. Using a shield allows for feeding to progress until the baby's suction draws out the nipple.
• Small, weak or sick babies often have difficulty latching on to the breast. A nipple shield makes latching easier and prevents the baby becoming discouraged.
• Babies who had to be bottle-fed since birth can become used to the bottle teat. Nipple shields feel more like teats, and aid with the transition to breast feeding.
• A mother's nipples can become sore or cracked from breastfeeding. A shield allows the mother to continue breastfeeding until her cracked nipples heal and she improves her latching technique.
• They make it easier to measure the quantity of milk consumed.

Most doctors and lactation consultants stress that nipple shields use should be temporary; the aim is always to return to regular breastfeeding, unless otherwise indicated.

Breast shells may be confused with nipple shields, but shields are intended for use during the act of breastfeeding, whereas breast shells are worn in preparation for breastfeeding.

Nipple shield may refer to:

• Nipple shield (jewelry), a type of body jewelry
• Nipple shield (breastfeeding), a temporary protective sheath worn during breastfeeding