A nipple shield goes on using what’s often called the “sombrero method”: you turn the shield nearly inside out, center it over your nipple, and then smooth the brim flat against your breast. It sounds simple, but getting the fit, placement, and latch right makes a real difference in how well milk flows and how comfortable feeding feels. Here’s everything you need to know to use one correctly.
Choosing the Right Size
Nipple shields come in several sizes measured in millimeters, and wearing the wrong one is the most common reason they don’t work well. To find your size, measure the diameter of your nipple at its base (straight across the middle) using a ruler with millimeter markings. Measure only the nipple itself, not the darker areola surrounding it. Then add about 4 mm to that number. So if your nipple measures 16 mm across, you’d start with a 21 mm shield.
A shield that’s too small will pinch and compress your nipple against the sides of the cone. A shield that’s too large won’t stay in place and can reduce the stimulation your breast needs to release milk. Your nipple should sit deep inside the cone-shaped tip with a small gap around it, not pressed against the walls.
How to Put the Shield On
Before applying, run the shield under warm water. A warm, slightly wet shield sticks to skin much better than a dry one. You can also dab a little water or expressed breast milk around the outer edge to help it adhere.
Now for the sombrero technique: hold the shield by its edges and gently turn it about halfway inside out, so the cone pokes outward and the flat brim curls up, like the brim of a wide hat. Place the raised cone directly over your nipple, then use your fingers to smooth the brim down flat against your breast. As the brim flattens, it creates a light suction that holds the shield in place. Your nipple will be drawn into the tip of the cone.
If the shield slides around or pops off, it likely needs more moisture around the edges, or you may need a different size.
Getting Your Baby Latched
Latching with a shield follows the same principles as latching without one. You want a deep, wide latch, not a shallow one where your baby clamps down on just the tip.
When the latch is correct, your baby’s mouth covers the entire cone of the shield, and their lips flare outward around the base where the silicone meets your areola. Your nipple should be pulled deep into the cone without rubbing against the sides. If you see your baby sucking only on the narrow tip, gently break the latch by sliding a finger into the corner of their mouth and try again. A shallow latch on a shield causes the same soreness as a shallow latch on bare skin, and it also reduces how much milk your baby gets.
Watch and listen during the feeding. You should hear soft swallowing sounds, not repeated clicking. Clicking often means your baby is losing suction and not transferring milk efficiently.
Why Milk Transfer Matters
One concern parents hear about nipple shields is that they reduce milk intake. With modern ultrathin silicone shields and a proper latch, this isn’t necessarily the case. A study of 34 preterm infants found that milk transfer was actually significantly higher with the shield than without it, averaging 18.4 ml per feeding compared to 3.9 ml. For those babies, the shield gave them something firm enough to latch onto when they couldn’t manage the bare breast.
That said, a poorly fitting shield or a shallow latch can absolutely reduce how much milk moves. The key is correct sizing and a deep latch every time. If your baby seems hungry after feedings, has fewer wet diapers than expected, or isn’t gaining weight, the shield setup needs to be reassessed.
Cleaning Between Feedings
Clean the shield after every single use. Rinse it in cool water as soon as the feeding ends to wash away residual milk before it dries. Then wash it with liquid dish soap and plenty of warm water, making sure to get inside the cone where milk collects. Rinse thoroughly with hot water for 10 to 15 seconds and set it on a clean paper towel or drying rack to air dry completely.
Don’t use a cloth towel to dry it. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria that you’d then press directly against your breast. Full sterilization at home isn’t necessary (or truly possible), but thorough washing with soap and water after each use keeps the shield safe. Store it in a clean, dry container between feedings, not loose in a diaper bag where it can pick up lint and germs.
Signs the Shield Doesn’t Fit
A few red flags tell you something is off with your shield:
- Nipple blanching. If your nipple turns white during or after feeding, the shield is compressing it. You likely need a larger size.
- Friction marks or pain. Your nipple rubbing against the inside walls of the cone means the shield is too small or not positioned correctly.
- The shield won’t stay on. Constant slipping suggests the wrong size (usually too large) or not enough moisture during application.
- Clicking sounds. Repeated clicking during feeding means your baby can’t maintain suction, often because the shield shape doesn’t match your anatomy well.
- Low milk output. If your baby isn’t getting enough milk despite frequent feedings, poor fit is a common culprit.
Transitioning Away From the Shield
Most parents use a nipple shield as a bridge, not a permanent solution. When you’re ready to try feeding without it, start during a calm, low-pressure moment. Some strategies that work well: begin the feeding with the shield on so your baby is no longer frantically hungry, then gently remove it mid-feed and offer the bare breast. If your baby resists, try again at the next feeding rather than forcing it.
Another approach is to start with the shield and remove it as soon as your milk lets down, since the active flow gives your baby immediate reward for latching onto bare skin. Skin-to-skin contact before and during feeding also encourages the transition by keeping your baby relaxed and rooting naturally.
Some babies wean off the shield in a few days, others take weeks. The pace depends on why you started using it in the first place. If it was for nipple soreness that has since healed, the transition tends to be quicker. If your baby has a structural challenge like a tongue tie or was born premature, it may take longer and benefit from guidance from a lactation consultant.