Breast Shells

Breast shells are hollow plastic disks worn inside the brassiere between or before feedings to protect the nipple from becoming flattened. They are made of hard, lightweight plastic and consist of two rings. The inner ring applies steady, gentle pressure on your nipple, stretching the adhesions that are keeping it from protruding. They may help to evert (draw out) inverted nipples, but actually the research on their effectiveness is inconclusive.

When to use breast shells
Breast shells can be helpful when nipples are so tender that it hurts when even soft bra fabric touches them. (But, remember, nipples won't heal until you fix the problem behind the sore nipples.) However, breast shells are falling out of favor as a solution to flat or inverted nipples. Most lactation experts feel that teaching baby to latch on well is the best solution to nipples that don't protrude. You may find that it is helpful to wear breast shells for thirty minutes before feeding, to urge the nipple outward, but it is not necessary to wear them all the time or to use them before baby is born.

What To Look For In A Breast Shell
Breast shells should have air holes or vents to allow for good air flow which is essential to healthy breasts and nipples. Ideally, they will also have a shape which makes them discreet so that you can wear them out in public and still feel confident. Some shells have added inserts made of foam to absorb any breastmilk leakage.

General Warnings When Wearing Shells
Shells should not be worn at night and any milk that leaks into them should be discarded. They should be sterilized once a day by either running them through the top rack of a dishwasher or boiling them for about 10 minutes. Prolonged or frequent use of shells may cause excessive leaking.