A difficult latch can make feeding sessions feel frustrating, especially when a baby has trouble drawing from a flat or inverted nipple. You may need a shaped shield, a more precise fit, or a different solution entirely, depending on whether you are nursing directly or pumping.
The six options below cover those distinct needs. Three CheriBaby sizes focus on direct breastfeeding, Floravyn adds a compact 13mm design, Go Mommy serves a different between-feed purpose, and Sweleke supports pumping rather than nursing.
The Leading Options At A Glance
CheriBaby 20mm Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case
CheriBaby 24mm Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case
CheriBaby S Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case
GoMommy 999 Pure Solid Silver Breastfeeding Nursing Cups XL, Pair
Sweleke 10-Piece Silicone Flange Sizing Kit for 24mm Pumps
Floravyn Small 13mm Nipple Shield with Sterilizing Case
What Each Pick Brings To The Table
The 20mm opening gives you a defined middle ground between the smaller and larger CheriBaby versions. A contact shield creates a shape for the baby to draw from, which may help during a feed when a flat or inverted nipple makes a conventional latch difficult.
Soft silicone makes this a practical choice for repeated home use, while the included case keeps both pieces together in a diaper bag. In practice, your comfort and the baby’s ability to settle on the shield matter more than the number alone, so the 20mm size works best when it sits comfortably without pressing.
A Few Strong Suits
- The 20mm opening provides a practical sizing option between 17mm and 24mm variants.
- Flexible silicone is designed for contact with both your skin and the baby during nursing.
- Two shields give you a matched set rather than a single loose piece.
- The carrying case adds order to travel and pumping-bag storage.
Practical Considerations
- Confirm that 20mm matches your nipple measurements before relying on it for regular feeds.
- The case adds a small accessory to keep clean and carry.
Key Specs
Made For
You benefit most from this option when you nurse directly, need a shaped contact surface, and prefer a 20mm opening with simple portable storage.
Consider Something Else When
Sweleke 10-Piece Silicone Flange Sizing Kit for 24mm Pumps suits you better when your main concern is breast-pump fit rather than direct nursing.
Compared with the 20mm CheriBaby, this version uses a wider 24mm opening for nursing sessions where a larger shape suits your anatomy. It remains a direct-contact option, so you place it over the nipple while the baby feeds rather than wearing it between feeds.
You may find the silicone easier to manage than a rigid cover during a long day of feeding, travel, or pumping-bag storage. The case keeps the pair together, and the broad size range gives you room to move between 17mm, 20mm, and 24mm without changing brands.
Notable Gains
- The 24mm opening gives you the largest stated CheriBaby contact size.
- Soft silicone supports direct nursing and routine handling.
Things To Consider
- A larger opening will not suit every nipple, so accurate measuring matters.
- Unlike Go Mommy 999 Pure Solid Silver Breastfeeding Nursing Cups XL, Pair, this shield is intended for active nursing rather than between-feed coverage.
- You need to keep the case with you to maintain an organized travel setup.
The Right Fit
You get the most benefit from this shield when you have measured larger than 20mm and need a flexible contact surface for direct breastfeeding.
Another Choice May Suit
CheriBaby 20mm Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case suits you more when a medium opening gives a closer, more comfortable fit.
This S-marked CheriBaby variant offers the same contact-shield concept as the numbered versions without a stated millimeter measurement in the listing. That makes it worth checking the size details carefully, since a compact-looking shield still needs to match the baby’s mouth and your nipple.
For a busy feeding setup, the two-piece set and carrying case keep the essentials together. The soft silicone and BPA- and BPS-free construction suit direct nursing, while the case offers a convenient way to carry the shields for travel or use away from home.
Useful Highlights
- Soft silicone creates a flexible contact surface.
- Two matching shields support rotation during cleaning.
- The case keeps the set organized in a diaper bag.
- You can clean or sterilize the silicone according to the care instructions.
Small Caveats
- The listing uses “S” without a clearly stated diameter, so confirm the physical size before ordering.
Core Details
Who Will Love This
You benefit most from this compact set when you want a portable silicone contact shield and can verify that the S size matches your needs.
Look Elsewhere When
Floravyn Small 13mm Nipple Shield with Sterilizing Case suits you more when you want a clearly stated 13mm opening and a microwave sterilizing case.
These are nursing cups, not latch shields, so the purpose is different from every CheriBaby option. You place a cup over the nipple between feeds, with a small amount of breast milk inside, then wear your nursing bra to keep it positioned.
The 99.9% solid silver construction provides a smooth, uncoated contact surface with no nickel. Smooth rolled edges and an anatomical curve may feel more substantial than lightweight silicone, while the XL size targets a specific areola range rather than nursing directly through a shaped opening.
Reasons It Performs
- The solid silver contains no alloy, coating, or copper core.
- Rolled edges offer a gentler contact profile for tender skin.
- The anatomical curve is designed to remain steady inside a nursing bra.
Trade Offs To Consider
- XL is limited to a 4.5 to 5.2cm areola range, so smaller measurements require a different size.
- These cups serve between-feed coverage and do not shape the nipple during an active latch.
Built With In Mind
You benefit most from these cups when your measured areola falls within the XL range and you want reusable metal coverage between nursing sessions.
Reach For A Different Pick When
CheriBaby 20mm Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case suits you more when your priority is creating a shape for direct breastfeeding.
This kit solves a pumping problem rather than a direct-latch problem. A flange insert is a flexible sleeve placed inside a compatible 24mm breast-pump flange, narrowing its tunnel so it sits more closely around the nipple during expression.
The 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, and 21mm inserts make sense for someone still learning which diameter fits. A measuring ruler helps narrow the starting point, while your nipple measurements can change as feeding patterns shift, so the multi-size set offers more room to adjust than one fixed insert.
Practical Advantages
- Five insert diameters support a more precise fit with 24mm flanges.
- The measuring ruler helps you choose a starting size.
- Flexible silicone reduces the need to replace a larger flange.
- The smooth pieces support quick hand washing or dishwasher cleaning.
- A cleaning brush helps reach the smaller openings.
Some Limits To Know
- You need a compatible 24mm pump flange for these inserts to function.
- Parts should be cleaned after each use, and the maker suggests replacing inserts every two months.
- This set does not help with a direct breastfeeding latch.
Feature Snapshot
Right Fit For
You benefit most from this kit when you pump with 24mm flanges and need several insert diameters to accommodate changing nipple measurements.
Skip It When
CheriBaby 20mm Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case suits you more when the feeding challenge occurs during direct nursing rather than pumping.
The Floravyn design focuses on a small 13mm shield with ultra-thin, soft silicone. Its cutout leaves more of your skin visible, allowing the baby to feel and smell your skin while maintaining contact with the shaped silicone surface.
The textured finish is intended to feel gentle for the baby, while the included microwave case offers a clearly stated three-minute sterilizing cycle. That combination makes the set practical for travel, although the fixed 13mm opening means you cannot adjust the diameter within this kit.
The Good Stuff
- The cutout supports more natural skin-to-skin contact during feeding.
- Thin, flexible silicone keeps the shield light and unobtrusive.
- The reusable microwave case simplifies sanitizing while traveling.
Points To Note
- The fixed 13mm size may not match a wider nipple.
- You receive two clear shields, so the case does not expand the set size.
Quick Facts
Best Suited To
You benefit most from this set when you need a small 13mm contact shield and value a cutout design plus a dedicated travel sterilization case.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
CheriBaby 24mm Contact Nipple Shield for Flat Nipples with Carrying Case suits you more when your measurements call for a larger opening.
What To Measure Before You Choose
Start With The Feeding Method
A contact shield belongs over the nipple during direct breastfeeding. It creates a shape that may help a baby latch when the nipple is flat or inverted, but the fit still needs to feel comfortable for you and the baby.
Nursing cups serve another purpose. You wear them between feeds rather than placing them over the nipple during an active latch. A breast-pump flange insert narrows the pump tunnel, making it useful only when your equipment accepts 24mm inserts.
Choose The Opening Carefully
A nipple shield’s opening should be measured rather than guessed. The CheriBaby options cover stated 17mm, 20mm, and 24mm sizes, while Floravyn offers a clearly identified 13mm design, and the CheriBaby S variant requires confirmation of its actual dimensions.
A smaller opening may suit a smaller nipple, while a larger one may fit better when the baby needs a broader shape. Comfort remains the useful checkpoint because a shield that presses or pinches can make feeding less pleasant.
Consider Material And Storage
Silicone is lightweight, flexible, and easy to clean, making the contact shields practical for repeated use. Solid silver cups offer a different material and an uncoated surface, but their size requirements are more specific and they are intended for between-feed coverage.
For travel, the distinction is simple. A carrying case organizes shields, while Floravyn’s case also performs a stated microwave sterilization cycle. Sweleke’s brush and ruler support pump maintenance and fit selection rather than direct nursing.
Account For Changing Measurements
Nipple measurements can shift as feeding patterns and lactation stages change. The Sweleke multi-size kit therefore offers more adjustment than a single insert, and the ruler gives you a way to identify a reasonable starting point.
Review the fit again as your routine changes. A shield that works during one phase of nursing may need a different opening later, and a pump insert that starts comfortably may not remain the right choice as your body changes.
Common Errors To Avoid
Wrong Turns To Avoid
Do not choose by shape alone, and do not treat a nursing cup as a latch shield. Measure first, distinguish nursing from pumping, and check equipment compatibility before ordering.
What The Higher Tier Buys
The GoMommy pair costs more conceptually through its solid silver construction, rolled edges, and storage pouch. That upgrade makes sense when you specifically want between-feed metal cups, while silicone remains the simpler choice for direct nursing and flexible sizing.
Frequently Asked Questions For Nipple Shield For Flat Nipples
How Do You Choose The Right Size?
Measure your nipple and compare the result with the shield’s stated opening. Choose 13mm, 20mm, or 24mm only when that measurement aligns with the listed size.
Are Silicone Nipple Shields Better Than Metal Nursing Cups?
Silicone contact shields suit direct breastfeeding because they create a shape during the latch. Solid metal nursing cups are worn between feeds and do not perform the same function.
Can You Use A Nipple Shield With A Breast Pump?
A nipple shield and a flange insert serve different purposes. Use a properly sized insert inside a compatible 24mm pump flange rather than placing a contact shield inside the pump.
How Should You Clean A Silicone Nipple Shield?
Clean the shield after use according to its care instructions. The Floravyn set includes a microwave case with a stated three-minute sterilizing cycle.
What Should You Do If The Shield Feels Uncomfortable?
Remove it and reassess the fit rather than pushing through discomfort. A lactation professional can help you assess latch and sizing concerns that continue.
Final Verdict
Your best option depends on the task: use a properly sized contact shield for direct nursing, a nursing cup for between-feed coverage, or a flange insert for pumping. Start with accurate measurements, compare the opening and intended use, and prioritize a fit that remains comfortable during regular feeding.
