Use of a Silicone Nipple Shield with Premature Infants

Nipple shields have been used with premature infants to facilitate breastfeeding in certain circumstances. In this paper, clinical observations and chart reviews regarding nipple shield use by 15 premature infants are reported. Volume taken at the first breastfeeding was compared to the volume prescribed by the physician, based on caloric requirements for infant weight. Using test weights, we found that 60 percent of these infants consumed 50 percent or more of the prescribed amount with the first use of the nipple shield. The nipple shield was found to be useful in certain circumstances where mothers had attempted breastfeeding previously.