Contact™ Nipple Shields

Medela Contact™ Nipple Shields offer temporary support to you and baby with latching, protecting nipples during breastfeeding and support healing of any cracks. You can choose from 3 sizes, made of ultra-thin, soft silicone with a cut-out shape for maximum skin-to-skin contact.

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Unique shape to maximize skin-to-skin contact

Ideal for flat or inverted nipples

Safe and taste-free for your baby

Features & Benefits

Protects painful nipples during breastfeeding
Helps you continue breastfeeding and the nipples to heal
Helps with latch-on
Helps to position and hold the nipple in the baby's mouth for effective sucking
Unique cut-out design
Allows for maximum skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby
Ultra-thin, soft silicone
Made from ultra-thin, soft silicone for gentle feel on skin
Suitable for flat or inverted nipples
Gently extends the nipple to help trigger the suck reflex
Made without BPA and taste-free
Safe for mom and baby
Hygienic storage box included
Comes with a certified bio-based plastic case for hygienic storage and convenience on-the-go.

Downloads

Instructions for use (pdf)

Contact nipple shield sizing guide (pdf)

What's included

2 x Contact™ nipple shields with a handy box for storing and carrying them in.

Available in three sizes:

S/16mm

M/20mm

L/24mm

Sizes may vary from country to country.

FAQs

What is a nipple shield?

A nipple shield is a thin, flexible piece of silicone that you place over your nipple before breastfeeding to protect it. There are holes in the tip so your milk can pass through to your baby. Some moms worry that having a ‘barrier’ between themselves and their baby may interfere with the intimacy of breastfeeding, which is why Medela Contact Nipple Shields have an open section to ensure you still enjoy plenty of that special skin contact.

When to use nipple shields

There are three main circumstances when you might use nipple shields:

If you have sore, cracked nipples, or are suffering from nipple pain.
If you have flat or inverted nipples.
If your baby has problems latching on to the nipple and is not drinking milk well.
Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist will be able to advise you whether or not nipple shields are appropriate for you, and can also support you with your ongoing breastfeeding needs.

How to use nipple shields

After washing your hands with drinking-quality water and drying them thoroughly, grip the wings of the Contact Nipple Shield to guide it into place. Moistening the shield with drinking-quality water will help it stick. See the Contact Nipple Shield instructions for full details of how to put them on. The nipple shield should fit comfortably on your nipple without pinching – Medela nipple shields come in three sizes, so you can find the best fit for your type of nipple, our handy fitting guide has more details. Remember you’ll need to clean them after each use and disinfect once a day – see instructions for details of cleaning and sanitizing. Contact Nipple Shields come with a convenient carry case so you can keep them safe between uses.

Nipple shields for sore nipples

Sore or cracked nipples can have a number of causes, so it’s important to get to the root cause before deciding on what to do about them. For example, if you have sore nipples you may want to try hydrogel pads or breast shells first, as well as seeking further lactation support. If these don’t improve the situation, Contact Nipple Shields can protect your nipples while still enabling breastfeeding – made from ultra-thin, soft silicone, they’re gentle even on sore, dry or cracked skin.

Nipple shields for flat or inverted nipples

If you have flat or inverted nipples your baby may find it harder to latch on, especially when she is small – but that doesn’t mean breastfeeding isn’t possible! An inverted or flat nipple might not touch the roof of your baby’s mouth during a feed, which can mean her sucking reflex isn’t triggered. Contact Nipple Shields can help by extending the reach of your nipple. And because they are flavor-free, your baby is unlikely to taste anything unusual while you’re using them.

Helping your baby to latch on

As outlined above, using a nipple shield can offer a baby who is struggling to latch on a larger, firmer target. Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist can ensure your baby is latching well while you’re using the shield. You’ll also need to monitor your baby’s weight gain to ensure your milk supply is meeting her requirements.¹ In general, nipple shields are a short-term solution – in time, as your baby’s suck strengthens and you get used to breastfeeding, you may well be able to start weaning off nipple shields.

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Ultra-thin, soft silicone

Gentle and flexible, even on sore or cracked nipples

Made without BPA, taste-free

Safe for mom and baby

Dishwasher safe

Quick and easy cleaning

When to Use Contact™ Nipple Shields

Medela Contact™ Nipple Shields are a short-term breastfeeding aid that can be used for:

Sore, cracked, or painful nipples
The soft, ultra-thin silicone barrier reduces friction, enabling you to continue breastfeeding and helping your nipples to heal
Latch-on difficulties or flat/inverted nipples
The shield gently extends the nipple and helps trigger the suck reflex — especially helpful for small or premature babies
Tongue tie, lip tie, or suction challenges
When your baby has difficulty maintaining suction, a nipple shield may offer temporary support alongside professional guidance
Fast milk flow (overactive let-down reflex)
Helps moderate the flow of milk, making feeding more manageable for your baby

Finding the Right Size

Medela Contact™ Nipple Shields are available in 3 sizes, (16mm [S], 20mm [M], 24mm [L]) to fit a range of nipple diameters. Getting the correct size is important for comfort and milk flow.

If you are still unsure that you have selected the correct size please see a breastfeeding specialist. For complete instructions, download the Sizing Guide

Sizing Guide

How to Use Contact™ Nipple Shields

Using Medela Contact™ Nipple Shields correctly can help make breastfeeding more comfortable and effective. Follow these simple steps to ensure proper use:

Wash your hands, then moisten the nipple shield with drinking quality water.
Using your thumbs, push the tip of the shield halfway in.
Place the shield centrally over the nipple so the cut-out will face your baby’s nose during feeding.
Push down on the wings until the shield pops out again and a seal is formed.

Sizing Guide

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are nipple shield?

A nipple shield is a thin, soft silicone cover placed over the nipple during breastfeeding. It helps to protect sensitive nipples during feeding and supports babies who struggle to latch onto the breast. Medela’s design ensures milk can flow effectively while maintaining maximum skin-to-skin contact with your baby.

When should I use nipple shields

Medela Contact Nipple Shields can offer short-term support:

If you have sore, cracked nipples, or are suffering from nipple pain.
If you have flat or inverted nipples.
If your baby has problems latching on to the nipple and is not drinking milk well.

Sore nipples can have various causes, so it’s important to understand the root cause before taking action. For any breastfeeding problems, please seek advice from a healthcare professional.

How do I choose the right size?

Choosing the right Contact™ Nipple Shield size is key for comfort and effective milk transfer. A shield that's too small or too large can cause discomfort and affect how milk flows to your baby. That’s why Medela offers three sizes — 16 mm (S), 20 mm (M), and 24 mm (L) — to suit different nipple diameters. As nipples can temporarily increase in size during feeding, a good rule is to choose a shield tip diameter slightly larger (up to 4 mm) than your resting nipple diameter.^2-4

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For further sizing guidance please refer to the Medela Contact™ Nipple Shield fitting guide.

How do I use nipple shields?

Using your Contact™ Nipple Shield correctly supports comfort and effective feeding. Follow these steps:

Wash your hands with drinking-quality water and dry them thoroughly.
Moisten the rim of the shield with drinking-quality water to help it stick.
Hold the wings of the shield, push the tip of the shield halfway in with your thumbs and guide it over your nipple.
Align the cut-out with your baby’s nose to support skin contact during feeding.
Push down on the wings until the tip pops out again and a seal is formed.

How do I clean nipple shields

To keep your Medela Contact™ Nipple Shields safe and hygienic for your baby, it’s important to clean them thoroughly after each use and disinfect them daily. Here’s how to do it:

After Each Use

Rinse all components with cold water (approx. 20 °C / 68 °F)
Wash with warm, soapy water (approx. 30 °C / 86 °F)
Rinse again with cold water
Dry with a clean cloth or leave to dry on a clean cloth

Disinfect Once Daily

Boil for 5 minutes OR clean the parts in the dishwasher. Place them on the top rack or in the cutlery section. Use a commercially available dishwashing detergent
Dry with a clean cloth or leave to dry on a clean cloth

Compare our Products

Take a look below at some of the key features available across our products

	Purelan™ lanolin cream	Contact™ Nipple Shields	Ultra-breathable nursing pads	Hydrogel pads
Sore nipples. dry skin
Suitable for use in pregnancy
Cracked/blistered nipples
Inverted/flat nipples
Latching-on challenges
Leakage

References

1. McKechnie AC, Eglash A. Nipple shields: a review of the literature. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2010;5(6):309-314.

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