Janet Jackson's nipple shield, displayed on national television during the infamous wardrobe malfunction.
A nipple shield is a piece of decorative jewelry worn with a nipple piercing which encircles the nipple, partially covering the areola, and is held in place by a barbell or ring. This form of adornment is typically only used when the nipple is going to be displayed. Image File history File links Nipple_Shield. ... Image File history File links Nipple_Shield. ... Nipple Piercing A nipple piercing is a piercing, centered usually at the base of the nipple. ... Nipple is, generally, the name given to the mammalian nipple. ... In anatomy, the term areola (diminutive of Latin area, open place) is used to describe any small circular area such as the colored skin surrounding the nipple. ...
Although nippleshields are often recommended for mothers with sore nipples, their use does nothing to treat the cause of the soreness.
The silicone shield should be placed onto the breast snugly, literally becoming a "second skin," allowing the mother's nipple to be drawn deeply into the shank of the shield and causing the infant's jaws to compress the milk sinuses.
During the process of weaning from the nippleshield, it is essential for the mother to stay in close contact with the infant's health care provider in order to monitor the infant in terms of weight gain.
A nippleshield is made of thin, flexible silicone and is used to cover a mother's nipple and areola while the baby is nursing.
A nippleshield may also be used when a baby is having difficulty latching on to a flat or inverted nipple.
Some lactation experts find nippleshields useful in some very specific situations, such as when the baby is unable to latch onto the breast without the shield; for example, a mother with very large nipples and a baby with an unusually small mouth and jaw structure.