Nipple shields are protective silicone covers worn over the nipple during nursing. They?re generally considered an interim solution to breastfeeding problems, which can be caused by flat or inverted nipples, or difficulty latching. They should be used with follow-up from a healthcare professional, says Pam Davey, a certified doula and registered lactation consultant in Edmonton.
Some women try nipple shields in the hopes they will relieve breastfeeding pain, but that isn’t the best idea. ?Nipple shields often don?t help mothers with sore nipples and may even cause more damage and pain because the baby just ends up sucking at the tip of the shield,? says Frances Jones, a lactation specialist and coordinator of the milk bank at BC Women?s Hospital in Vancouver. She stresses the importance of seeking help to correct latch issues.
If you?re using nipple shields because you’ve been advised to by a healthcare professional, look for some made of thin, clear silicone, which you can find at most mom-and-baby supply shops. Some even have a cutout to allow more skin-to-skin contact. 
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