Is silicone nipple recommended? pediatrician clarifies

In the effort to succeed in breastfeeding, many mothers end up investing in products such as the silicone nipple with the intention of facilitating the process. Suitable for people who have a flat or inverted nipple, or even to minimize the pain of breastfeeding, this accessory has been increasingly used, even appearing on baby shower lists.

But can the silicone nipple really help breastfeeding? According to the doctor. Pamella Demeciano Mamede (CRM: 52992127), pediatrician, member of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics and breastfeeding consultant, in addition to being indicated only as a last resort, the use of silicone nipples can harm breastfeeding and the baby.

Frequently asked questions about silicone nipple

To solve the mystery of the ins and outs of the silicone nipple, we spoke with Dr. Pamella Demeciano to answer some of the most common doubts. In general, it does not indicate the use, but admits that it can be suggested in specific cases. Shall we understand better?

What is a silicone nipple and what is it used for? The silicone nipple, also called nipple protector, is an accessory made of very thin and flexible silicone, with a shape similar to a nipple, with an open and wide base and a nipple similar to a bottle.

“Moms who have difficulty breastfeeding due to flat or inverted nipples, or those who are suffering from cracks, can use the help of the silicone nipple,” says Dr. Pamella.

Is usage recommended? “The use of a silicone nipple should always be the last attempt and indicated by a professional specialized in breastfeeding, as it will only be recommended in specific cases and for a very limited period of time. Particularly, I do not recommend it in my daily life because the harm can be much greater than the benefits in the breastfeeding process”, he notes.

What are the advantages of the silicone nipple? The silicone nipple helps protect cracked breasts, reducing pain at the time of suction, or can even help in the formation of the breast nipple for those mothers who have a flat or inverted nipple. “However, it should always be indicated by a health professional specialized in breastfeeding, as it should only be used as a last resort”, he emphasizes again.

And the downsides? “There are many dangers that the nipple can bring to breastfeeding. This is because, as we already know, in the correct latch, the baby will take a large part of the areola and not just the nipple. Thus, the fact of having a flat or inverted nipple does not contraindicate breastfeeding. There is also the risk of contamination of the nipple by fungi and bacteria, leading to thrush for the baby, candidiasis or mastitis”.

Can the silicone nipple harm the baby? In addition to the risk of contamination, the use of the silicone nipple makes the baby need to suck harder to give the necessary pressure for the milk to come out. “This can cause little weight gain, influencing the use of complementary bottles and, consequently, causing the baby to get used to it and end up preferring the artificial nipple”, explains Dr. Pamella Demeciano.

Silicone nipple reduces milk? “Breast milk production is directly linked to the force of suction performed by the baby. Therefore, when we put a silicone accessory in the middle of the process, there is no pressure exerted directly on the breast, consequently leading to a reduction in milk production”.

As we can see, the silicone nipple can cause a lot of problems and that’s why it’s far from being a suitable accessory for the breastfeeding routine. In any case, the best thing to do is to talk to a specialist doctor on the subject, thus being able to answer more specific questions and also looking for other ways to facilitate breastfeeding.

Experiences and Reviews

Below, we list some personal experiences with the use of the silicone nipple. Opinions can be diverse and help to clarify some more doubts. We will see?

How to properly use the silicone nipple

Pediatric dentist Andressa Bortolasso is not in favor of the use of silicone nipples. But she made this video so that mothers who are already using it know how to use it correctly, minimizing the damage to breastfeeding.

Advantages and disadvantages of silicone nipple

This video, presented by channel 2bemãe, provides a good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of using the silicone nipple. She shows two different models and tells her personal experience using them.

Did not work…

Fernanda Prado bought the silicone nipple, but did not know that its use was indicated only for specific cases. In the video she tells how the experience unfortunately did not work out and about early weaning.

Silicone nipple as an intermediary at the beginning of breastfeeding

The video from the Vida de Mãe channel shows the experience of Jaqueline, who bet on the silicone nipple to try to solve the inverted nipple. She had a good experience and tells us the details.

As with everything in pregnancy and motherhood, each experience with a silicone nipple is unique and can be good or bad. Be on the lookout for utensils that promise to help with breastfeeding, but that in the end can end up harming you.

Breastfeeding is good for both mother and baby. A natural and, most of the time, quiet activity. Always invest in information and believe in your ability to feed your baby without intermediate utensils.