10/16/2026
As an RN and IBCLC, I recently saw a video from another lactation consultant stating that hospitals are too quick to give moms ni**le shields when they have short ni**les. She suggested moms should pump to pull the ni**les out and keep working on latching at the breast. While I understand the importance of working toward a latch, I think there is a BIG piece of the puzzle missing from this conversation. 👇
**Let’s talk about IV fluids during labor and delivery!**
Many moms receive significant amounts of IV fluids during labor, whether due to induction, an epidural, or a C-section. These fluids can contribute to breast edema (swelling), causing the ar**la to become firm, the ni**les to flatten, and the breast tissue to become difficult for a newborn to latch onto.
So, what do we do when a baby is struggling to latch?
We meet MOM and BABY where they are! ❤️
👏🏽 Sometimes reverse pressure softening can help reduce ar**lar swelling and make latching easier.
👏🏽 Sometimes hand expression is helpful for collecting colostrum.
👏🏽 Sometimes a ni**le shield can be a useful temporary tool to help a baby latch and transfer milk while we continue working toward effective breastfeeding.
👏🏽 And sometimes pumping is appropriate, but it isn't always the first or only answer! A pump may not effectively remove thick, sticky colostrum, and some moms simply want to latch their babies directly to the breast rather than add another step to an already overwhelming postpartum experience.
**A ni**le shield isn't automatically a bad thing.** Like any breastfeeding tool, it should be used appropriately, with proper sizing, education, assessment of milk transfer, and follow-up to ensure the baby is getting enough milk.
As lactation professionals, we should be looking at the WHOLE picture instead of making blanket statements about what hospitals are or aren't doing correctly.
Our job isn't to force every mom into the same approach. It's to assess the individual situation, support the mother's goals, protect milk production, and help her baby feed effectively.
Because at the end of the day, **it's not about whether we use a ni**le shield or a pump. It's about helping moms and babies succeed.** 💗
Let's support evidence-based care without shaming the tools or the professionals who use them appropriately.
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