Style attachment

A Style attachment (also called "nipple shields") is recommended for different types of breastfeeding problems. These include pain when breastfeeding or difficulty sucking the baby. When used correctly, the essay can help develop a good breastfeeding relationship with the child. In most cases, however, a styling attachment should only be used temporarily.

What is a style essay?

A stylus is a flexible cover made of silicone. This material is particularly thin and therefore does not hinder the stimulation of the breast, which is necessary in order to produce breast milk.

The mother places this cover over the nipple and areola before breastfeeding. The shape of the stylus attachment corresponds to the anatomy of the nipple. It therefore looks a bit like a hat with a crown and a wide brim - hence the name "nipple hat".

There are small holes on the tip of each part that covers the nipple. Breast milk can leak through this during breastfeeding.

Shapes, types & types

Most styling attachments have a nipple-shaped bulge and a wide rim around them. Since the size and shape of the nipple is different, there are styling attachments in different sizes. This means that the most precisely fitting attachment can be found for every woman.

Some style essays have cutouts in the "brim". These enable direct skin contact between the baby's nose or chin and the mother's breast.

Modern stylus attachments are almost always made of silicone - a material that enables very thin attachments to be made. Older models made of rubber are less recommendable and are rarely manufactured today.

To ensure that the styling attachment fits perfectly, it is important to find the right size and fit - ideally with the help of a lactation consultant.

Structure & functionality

The stylus is an anatomically shaped silicone cover for the nipple and areola. This will protect the breast when breastfeeding is too painful, e.g. for sore nipples. On the other hand, it can also be used to correct the shape of the nipple. This, in turn, can be helpful if the baby is not sucking properly. The styling attachment is therefore a very simple aid that lies between the mother's breast and the baby's mouth.

While this sounds easy, it is important to use a style essay correctly. Only then can the nursing mother benefit optimally. The aim is to support breastfeeding and promote the breastfeeding relationship so that the use of the styling essays is no longer necessary as quickly as possible. This usually requires personal consultation with a doctor or breastfeeding advice.

It is typically used just before and during breastfeeding. Before putting on it, it is helpful to smear a few drops of Muttermlich out of the breast and drop them into the styling attachment. This creates a vacuum between the breast and the stylus attachment, which enables a secure fit without slipping. In addition, the droplets that emerge through the holes help the baby to understand that he or she should suck the stylus attachment.

The edge of the stylus is pulled apart and placed over the nipple. There should be some air between the nipple and the tip of the stylus attachment. If the nipple hits the silicone directly, the stylus attachment is too small.

Medical & health benefits

Style essays are used in various situations. The reason can either be with the mother or the baby. Some mothers have very small or inwardly turned nipples that make it difficult for babies to suckle properly. Using a styling attachment in such cases will help maintain breastfeeding until the baby's suckling has enlarged and / or turned the nipple outward. This is possible because the nipple is erectile tissue. The styling attachment helps to maintain the breastfeeding relationship.

Sometimes babies have difficulty breastfeeding because the baby is very small, weak, or sick. In this case, the stylus attachment makes sucking easier and protects baby and mother from the frustration that breastfeeding does not work. When the milk flows through the styling attachment, the baby will recognize that breastfeeding is working. Over time, it becomes strong enough to successfully suckle even without a nipple shield.

A styling attachment also helps maintain breastfeeding when the nipples are sore. With the help of the styling attachment, the mother can improve her breastfeeding technique so that she can prevent future nipple injuries.

Doctors can also help establish a breastfeeding relationship after the baby has been bottle-fed. The suction technology for bottles and for the maternal breast is different. It can happen that a baby who is used to silicone teats does not understand how to handle the nipple to get milk to flow. Since the styling attachment feels similar to the bottle teat, the baby recognizes the mother's breast more easily as a source of food. Breastfeeding with breast milk, the optimal food for a baby, is made possible.

If breast milk is only fed with expressed milk, milk production will often dry up before the recommended six months of full breastfeeding have expired, as a breast pump does not stimulate the breast to produce milk as effectively as the suckling baby.