How to choose and use silicone breastfeeding pads for newborns?

Nipple covers are a universal item. They help cope with many problems; if used for other purposes, the consequences will be negative.

A few decades ago, silicone nipple covers were unheard of.

Back then, women who had problems with lactation had to give up breastfeeding or express milk and pour it into a bottle.

Expressing does not give the desired effect: the body quickly stops producing milk, because there is no feeling that the baby needs it.

Only feeding provokes milk production in the breast. Silicone pads help prolong the lactation period, wean the baby to the breast, and make the process easier at first.

What are breast pads for guards?

The term breastfeeding pads refers to latex or silicone products that are placed over the nipples and follow their shape as closely as possible.
Such items were invented to make it easier for the mother to establish lactation and to quickly adapt the baby to breastfeeding. Severe pain in a woman when feeding in the first days after childbirth, cracks in the nipples, incorrect coverage of the nipple by the baby - these and other inconveniences should be minimized by using special nipple covers. Today, these silicone items are no longer so popular, and doctors do not recommend their use with much enthusiasm.
The fact is that when feeding through silicone or latex, the baby does not completely cover the entire breast. This makes the process of getting food even more difficult for the baby, and incomplete emptying of the breast leads to a decrease in the amount of milk produced in the future. Therefore, the use of these devices must be approached with caution.

How to choose a pacifier for newborns

If parents have already decided that they need a pacifier, they need to figure out which one is best suited for their little one. When choosing a pacifier, the shape, its size and the material from which it is made are important.

Shape selection

When we were kids, there was only one form of pacifier. Now it is called classic. Progress is moving forward, it is not surprising that scientists have developed a new form of nipples that most accurately replicates the anatomical features of both the shape of the mother’s nipple and the palate of the toddler. This type of pacifier is called orthodontic. In addition to the fact that such a pacifier is more convenient to use, due to its shape it does not interfere with the development of the bite, therefore it is safer.

The classic type of pacifier has a narrowed beginning and a spherical end that can be placed in the baby’s mouth on either side. However, it has been scientifically proven that prolonged use of this device of this form contributes to improper development of the bite.

The anatomical shape has a different type of nipple, also narrowed at the base, but at the end it is not round, but flattened. Not only is it more familiar, because it resembles a mother’s nipple, but it also does not harm the baby’s bite. But such a pacifier needs to be inserted into the little one’s mouth with a certain side. In addition, the orthodontic pacifier has three types:

• “butterfly”, used when the little one is lying on his tummy (another species, less adapted for this purpose);

  

• “heart” - the main function is to stimulate the correct development of the bite;

  

• “cherry” has a larger rounded side of the papilla, intended for babies with a high palate.

In addition to differences in the nipple itself, the pacifier also has a different shaped mouthpiece. Improvements have also been made in this regard. Now you are not dealing with a large, uncomfortable and sometimes even blocking mouthpiece. Nowadays, oval-shaped devices with a special recess are in greatest demand. This feature is designed specifically for the spout. However, you need to be careful, because such pacifiers fit quite tightly to the little one’s face, and accordingly there is a possibility that the baby will have a mark from the pressure. If this happens, then this device is not suitable for your little one. Manufacturers took care of such children and made mouthpieces of the same shape, but with raised edges.

The pacifier, as a rule, is equipped with a convenient ring, by pulling which the child can easily remove the pacifier from the mouth. They also often have a special chain with a fastening at the end, so you can hook this device, for example, to a baby’s blouse while walking.

Size

Also, when choosing a suitable pacifier, the question of the size of this product will definitely arise. Therefore, before purchasing a pacifier, carefully study the label. Basically, there is a division into consumers up to six months of age and after. You choose pacifiers according to the age of your child.

Material

If you find it difficult to remember what material pacifiers were made of in your childhood, ask your mother or grandmother. At that time, devices made only of rubber were available for sale. New generation nipples – latex and silicone.

1. Latex ones are made from rubber and are essentially the same as rubber ones, but they are a more advanced version compared to what they had decades ago. However, using a pacifier made of such material has both pros and cons:

• made from natural material;
• soft, which means they are accessible to toddlers from the first weeks of life and to children who were born ahead of schedule.

However:

• there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to rubber;
• due to their softness, they can quickly deteriorate and tear due to frequent biting by the toddler, especially during the period when the child begins to cut teeth;
• cannot withstand boiling;
• darkens when exposed to the sun;
• if used longer than prescribed (four weeks), it begins to deteriorate, stick together and even enlarge.

  

Therefore, if you decide to opt for a pacifier made of such material, watch how the child’s body reacts to the appearance of a new object, and also, when using it, it is important to notice in time the appearance of cracks or holes in the pacifier and replace it with a new one. In case of allergies, change the pacifier to a silicone one. And don't forget that these nipples need to be changed every four weeks.

1. Nipple made of silicone. The material is artificially created, making it practically incapable of causing allergies in little ones. However, it has stronger rigidity. Therefore, they are not intended for very young children, including premature babies. But, they are well suited for the period when the child begins to cut teeth. Although there is an opinion that a silicone pacifier can negatively affect the development of baby teeth. You also need to understand that a pacifier made of such material will last you much longer. It is recommended to replace the silicone pacifier once every 6 weeks.

   

In what cases are silicone pads used?

There are situations when a woman feels that there is no better remedy than using nipple shields. They really are sometimes very helpful, especially when it comes to pain during feeding or sores on the nipples. For a breastfed baby, silicone pads are also sometimes useful. For example, if you need to switch from a bottle to the breast. Here they act as an intermediate link and help the baby feel the breast through the familiar (from the bottle) silicone material.

Situations when using silicone pads:

• In the first days after birth, the baby still does not know how to properly latch onto the breast, which causes pain and discomfort during feeding. Coverings soften these unpleasant sensations, especially if there are cracks in the nipples. But doctors recommend using these items only as a last resort, so as not to disrupt the natural process of lactation.
• When does a baby need to be switched from bottle feeding to breastfeeding? This happens, for example, if there was a need to temporarily feed the child with an adapted formula, and during this period he got used to it and refuses to breastfeed. The most correctly selected pads, similar in shape and density to a bottle nipple, will help the baby gradually give up the bottle and get accustomed to the mother's breast again.
• Irregular shape or structure of the nipples, which prevents the baby from latching onto the breast and extracting milk correctly. The nipples may be flat, too large or inverted.
• Incorrect or sluggish breastfeeding by the baby can not only increase problems with lactation, but also lead to weight loss in the baby. Silicone devices help the child learn to suckle properly, especially for children with birth injuries.
• Shortened baby bridle.

Breast pads can be used if the baby has not yet learned to latch onto the breast correctly when feeding.

Is it necessary to purchase a pacifier?

You can meet both supporters of using this device and people who will actively oppose the appearance of a pacifier in the life of a toddler.

There are a number of factors, the presence of which allows us to judge that a baby can be given a pacifier or that there is a serious need for it:

1. The little one has a hard time going to bed. Having a pacifier has a calming effect.
2. The baby suffers from colic and flatulence. The sucking process facilitates the release of gases.
3. The child sucks his thumb. It is better to use an alternative - a pacifier.
4. The process of parting with the mother's breast is difficult. When the need arises to purchase an analogue, a pacifier comes to the rescue.

Parents need to understand that a pacifier has a calming effect on a little person. In the first months of a toddler’s life, a lot of different events can happen that can alert the child and frighten him. A pacifier will help you perceive this information more painlessly and cope with everything with the least amount of stress.

If you feed your baby at his request and at the same time he is put to the breast about 10 times a day, there is no need to get acquainted with the pacifier, there is simply no time left for it. The child already copes with his experiences.

Mixed-fed babies will not refuse if you offer them a pacifier. This is due, in particular, to the lack of attachment to the mother's breast. For the same reason, the pacifier will be a joy for babies on an artificial type of feeding.

Do not forget about cases when children have difficulty falling asleep. In such a situation, a pacifier will help greatly facilitate this process. The little one will calm down, suck on a pacifier (which will essentially remind him of his mother’s breast or bottles with a tasty formula), and will slowly begin to fall asleep. It is important to know that as soon as the baby falls asleep, try to stick the pacifier out of the little mouth. If the child starts to mope and wake up, leave your idea. Repeat after 5 minutes.

Do not teach your child to fall asleep with the breast in his mouth or with a bottle - this will negatively affect his development. But the pacifier will cope with this purpose perfectly. The main thing is to wean your child from using this device in his daily life in time, when he is old enough.

When my grandmother offered my newborn son a pacifier, which she had purchased before the baby was born, he spat it out. There was no particular interest in this device. When my son was 4 months old, he began to take that same nipple, but only when he fell asleep and this was a rare occurrence. When my son was six months old, he became interested in a pacifier as a means to relieve restless gums. He took the pacifier and seemed to be trying to bite off a piece of it. In general, I was scratching my gums. As soon as I noticed this, I realized that it was time to buy a special teether for such purposes at the pharmacy. He changed the pacifier. Since then, my son no longer remembered her.

Advantages and disadvantages

Since the use of pads is not a necessity, but rather a recommendation, you should not run to the pharmacy and buy them at the first opportunity. There will be no benefit from using breastfeeding pads if they are used incorrectly or for other purposes. Nature has endowed a woman with the ability to independently provide nutrition for her baby, so experts in natural motherhood believe that in any case you can do without them. The main thing is to learn how to put your baby to the breast correctly.

Positive influence:

• They help the child learn to suckle at the breast in cases where natural feeding was not possible at first.
• They have a positive effect during feeding if a woman has a natural pathology in the structure of her nipples (they are either flat, inverted or too large).
• Reduce pain in the presence of cracks and wounds on the nipples.

Frequent use of breast shields can lead to stagnation of milk in the breast.

Negative influence:

• They do not ensure complete milk flow, which can affect the amount of milk production or lead to stagnation. Insufficient milk flow can cause poor weight gain in the baby and cause early cessation of breastfeeding.
• Frequent use can lead to addiction and the baby will not want to suckle without a silicone object.
• Due to the habit of chewing silicone rather than sucking, subsequent breastfeeding without a shield may cause damage to mom's nipples.
• Using irregularly shaped nipple shields can cause nipple chafing, burning and redness in the areola area.
• Breast pads form a psychological barrier between mother and child.
• Feeding time increases, which is associated with difficulty in use and poor milk flow.

What flow force should the pacifier have?

All nipple models have a certain flow force. It is determined by the number and size of holes in the product and the thickness of the food. The fewer holes, the slower food enters the baby’s mouth. The flow strength is selected according to the baby’s age:

1. Low flow nipples are used from the first days of life until three months. They provide a slow supply of food, because... have one or two small holes. Such products do not allow the baby to wean himself from the mother's breast - he has to make the same efforts when sucking as during natural feeding.
2. Medium flow nipples are used for feeding babies older than 3-4 months, but some models are also suitable for two-month-old babies. They have three holes. These nipples can be used to feed your baby liquids that are thicker than milk or formula.
3. Products with strong flow have four holes. As a rule, such nipples are designed for children from 6 to 12 months, but some models can be used for three-month-old babies. A strong flow is also necessary for feeding your baby thick foods such as porridge.
4. There are models with variable flow. Instead of holes, they have slits. Thanks to them, you can adjust the flow of liquid, making it slower or faster. Such products are suitable for foods of varying consistency (milk, porridge, juice). However, it is not recommended to use variable flow nipples for babies in the first months of life. The milk supply may be too strong and plentiful, putting your baby at risk of choking.

Manufacturers and prices

Depending on the material, there are three types of nipple covers:

• Rubber;
• Silicone;
• Latex.

Rubber devices are unreliable and most inconvenient to use. Latex products are also considered a relic of the past, and their use is not recommended, since they can cause allergies and quickly become unusable. Today, the most popular and effective are silicone pads. They are quite thin, follow the shape of the nipple and make it easier for the baby to get full. In addition, they have sufficient wear resistance.

The prices for these items are quite different and depend on the material, manufacturing technology, density, etc. The price range of products is within 300 – 2500 rubles. Among the most popular and recommended manufacturers are Philips Avent, Medela, Ardo, and Chicco.

Manufacturers Philips Avent present their customers with pads made of the finest silicone in two sizes (small and regular). Medela produces silicone products in three sizes (S, M, L), depending on the width of the nipples. Ardo also presents several variations of flexible silicone pads, which ensure close contact between woman and baby. Chicco also offers several sizes in its range of protective products. The difference between this manufacturer and the rest is the use of latex material.

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Go to the supplier's website
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Which overlays to choose?

To get the most out of using breast pads, you need to have a good understanding of how to choose them correctly. A high-quality and expensive thing is not the key to solving all problems associated with lactation.

What to look for when choosing:

• Correct shape and size (you need to focus on the width of the nipple);
• Full placement of the nipple inside the silicone (latex) product;
• Filling the entire space of the pad with the nipple;
• Correct size and number of holes;
• No discomfort during feeding and a feeling of milk flow.

You can choose the right overlay by using several models, companies, materials, and choosing the most suitable one.

How to wear and use

The instructions for use are as follows:

1. Sterilization is required before the 1st use.
2. The nipple should be in an erect state.
3. The pad is turned out, applied to the nipple and wrapped back to the gland, i.e. so that the device fits tightly to the shape of the gland.
4. To make it easier to put on, it is recommended to moisten the pad a little (so it fits more tightly).
5. Babies may be afraid to breastfeed with a breast shield. To make the child want to suck on such a breast, it is recommended to lubricate the product a little with milk.
6. The cutout on the device must be at the top, because that’s where the baby’s nose is located.
7. The baby should suckle at the breast with the breast shield in the same way as without it - the mouth is open wide, the area of ​​the breast above the areola is wrapped around the lips.
8. Remove the device gradually, without effort or sudden movements.
9. After each feeding, the product must be sterilized, otherwise it becomes a source of infection.

How to use breastfeeding pads?

You need to use additional protective products to promote lactation correctly. For this:

• Before each feeding, the product must be thoroughly washed;
• You need to put the cover on inverted on the tense nipple and ensure a tight fit of the product on the nipple;
• It is better to slightly moisten the pad before use;
• The cutout on the product should be at the top so that the baby can breathe freely;
• Attachment to the breast follows the same rules as without silicone products.

Proper care and storage

Long-term use of breast pads requires compliance with all recommendations for the care and storage of these products. After purchase, they must be sterilized and washed after each feeding. It is advisable to use steam rather than boiling water, so as not to affect the quality of the product. A steam sterilizer will help very well in this regard. It is advisable to treat with steam once every 2-3 days. Also, after use, it is better to store the pads in a closed cap or other closed container so that germs do not settle on them.

Pacifier care

Mom should take care of the hygiene of the pacifier, both before the first use and every day. If your pacifier is made of a material that requires boiling, then before first use you need to boil it for three minutes. The packaging may also indicate that before use you need to thoroughly wash the pacifier in boiled water and soap. In the future, it is recommended to carry out such treatment once a day to reduce the risk of developing pathogenic flora.

It is advisable to purchase a special container that will maintain sterility. This is where the pacifier will need to be placed at the moments when it has already been processed, but is not yet used by the child.

Reviews from mothers

Natasha, 20 years old: I never thought that these rubber things would be useful to me. I tried it several times, and once they really helped me teach my son to latch onto the chest correctly.

Oksana, 23 years old: Money wasted. High-quality advertising and advice from friends prompted me to buy these products to reduce pain when feeding. So I didn’t see any results, it seems this is just a deception and another marketing ploy.

Lena, 23 years old: I bought it, tried it, didn’t like it. They are difficult to handle, put on correctly, and often fall off. This made my daughter even more capricious and began to eat poorly.

Terms of use

1. Your baby should have a constantly changing pacifier (in accordance with the permissible period of use). Don’t think that, having bought a pacifier, it will serve you all the time, right up until the baby weans the pacifier, and even more so, don’t even think about passing on a pacifier from your older brother or sister, or the neighbor’s little one.
2. If any defects appear on the nipple, you must immediately replace it with a new one.
3. Pay attention to the indication of age restrictions and service life, adhere to these indicators.
4. Remember to sterilize the pacifier at least every other day and wash it with soap every day.
5. It is strictly forbidden to lick a fallen pacifier on the floor and then give it to a child. Such a nipple must be washed or sterilized.
6. Make sure to purchase a special container for storing the pacifier.
7. It is convenient to use a device with a special chain and clip, so you can fix it, for example, on a baby’s shirt pocket. Just remember that the pacifier must be disconnected during sleep.

After reading this article, you have come to an opinion about which pacifier is best to choose for your baby. Although sometimes what suits one toddler does not have the same success for another child. Therefore, it is possible that you will have to go through trial and error until you find the one that is ideal for your baby. Most importantly, do not forget to change the pacifier in a timely manner, taking into account the permissible service life, and also remember that the pacifier requires care, in particular, sterilization.