Medela SoftShells Breast Shells for Sore Nipples for Pumping or Breastfeeding, Discreet Breast Shells, Flexible and Easy to Wear, Made Without BPA

So glad I bought these. I’m a first time mom and was so worried about having nipple pain when starting to breastfeed so I bought a lot of nipple care products in case. Luckily the little guy was a natural at breastfeeding, I never had any nipple pain. However, I noticed that a segment of my right breast would not drain during feeds, I had to manually express because it was getting so engorged. I figured out that my long nipple would fold when wearing my nursing bra (it’s even a loose fitting bra) and kink off the milk duct and make it hard to drain. I always noticed my nipple would fold up even before I was pregnant and when wearing normal bras. To help keep my nipple from folding, I use these soft shells in my bra and it did the trick. No more engorgement behind the duct that used to kink. It took a few days of use to get to that point. It’s also nice because I have a fair amount of milk letdown when my boy initially wakes for a feed. The soft shells catch the milk well as long as I don’t tip it in a way that the milk will leak through the air vent holes. I don’t use the little foam piece that it comes with to soak up the milk. I have gathered up to 15 ml of breast milk this way! I just wash the shells well after each use so they are clean when they catch the milk. During the feed on the opposite breast that my baby is feeding on, I use the Milkies milk saver instead. It can catch more than these shells and there is less worry of spilling. I also use them instead of the nursing pads. I bought some washable nursing pads that were too itchy for me. These are very confortable, keep the nipple dry (the nursing pad soaks up milk and keeps it against the nipple), and of course catches some milk. Wouldn’t want to waste that milk into a nursing pad I can’t retrieve it from! I highly recommend this product. If you are trying to do some research, there is also the Medela Therashells that are similar to these, but are for flat/inverted nipples. Make sure you get the one that is most suited to your needs!

When I brought my daughter home from the hospital I already had sore spots on my nipples. They turned to scabs and then when the scabs got soft in the shower, they came off leaving gaping holes in my nipples. I fully understood the words "nipple trauma." I was using silicone nipple covers which helped my sore nipples from sticking to my bra, but I didn't feel like they were getting any air circulation.. The soft shells gave me the air circulation and allowed the Lanolin to stay on (not rub off), which I think helped me heal. The other huge benefit of the soft shells for me was to catch leaking milk. In the beginning of nursing, I had an abundance of milk. The breast I wasn't nursing would leak at least an ounce on let down. I often filled the entire soft shell and it leaked out of the holes at the top. I started putting the silicone covers over the holes so the milk wouldn't leak out during let down and then I could go empty it in the sink. I had previously been stuffing a burp cloth in my bra, but everything still got soaked. As other reviewers stated, when I wasn't nursing, I found the soft shells did put some pressure and caused me to leak slightly. When you bend over to pick up your baby (or something else) the milk leaks out of the holes at the top, which can be frustrating. After breastfeeding was established, and my let down wasn't so strong, I learned to apply pressure to my breast on the side I wasn't nursing during let down (pushing with the palm of my hand slightly in and upward) and this kept that side from leaking and losing that milk. I used the soft shells for several weeks and overall, I felt they were helpful in letting me heal, protecting my nipples from sticking to my bra and allowing Lanolin or other topical cream to stay on longer, the shape of the shells were decent and could be hidden under a baggy shirt, and it was great for catching excess milk.

I am a first time mom and chose to exclusively pump. Imagine my surprise during the first few weeks of pumping - tender, sore, sensitive, bruised nipples - I had no idea what I was in for! It hurt to have anything lay directly against my nipples between pumping sessions. I thought there must be an invention to give pumpers a relief and was happy to find this product! I started using it immediately and noticed a significant difference in my comfort and how quickly my nipples "recovered" between pumping sessions. These shells allow for air flow and collect any leaking milk. They do add a noticeable bump to your bra, kind of like a mushroom cap, so I only wear them around the house. They are also very easy to take apart and clean. When I started pumping I had very flat nipples and while pumping would make them protrude slightly, my nipples never touched the outer shell. This is no longer the case 6 weeks in. My nipples have become more prominent and now will rub the outer shell post pump which makes things very uncomfortable. If you have normal to long nipples, these are probably not for you as they will increase discomfort, the shells are not very deep. Overall, I was glad to have these and be able to use them for a couple weeks to get some relief. These are really ideal for the first 3-4 weeks or so while you adjust to pumping (or perhaps breastfeeding) or to use occasionally if you have cracked nipples that need healing time.

I bought it because my nipples are too sensitive even for nipple pads (disposable and the bamboo reusable ones) and this avoids contact which is exactly what I want. Also though it's not 'invisible', it fits into my bra which is better than silver cups. However it's not meant for long wear in my case -- it still contacts with my areola and if stays for long, it gives me rashes. They go away but it's annoying. So I end up using this and silver cup exchangeably, still not sure what I'll use once going back to work.

I started to use 4 days after my baby was born. It work pretty well. It hold every drop. It fits perfect too. I super recommend speacially if you have nipples sore. It gives you a good and comfortable sensation. The only Suggestion: make sure you clean always. So you avoid to get any infection on the nipples. :D

Me encantaron!!! Las primeras 3 semanas de mi lactancia fueron MUY difíciles, estuve a nada de renunciar por el dolor. Mi pezón es plano, así que cuando el bebé se pegaba a mi, lo succionaba y lo sacaba, pero al ponerme el brassiere (aun con los de lactancia de tela suave) me lo volvía a sumir y era empezar desde cero. Con esta coraza se solucionó este problema. Además, la leche que escurres, se recolecta, así que no desperdicias nada. De hecho terminé comprando dos paquetes para tener el reemplazo en lo que lavo un par.

Mi pezon no es sumiso pero con las odas absorbentes se hunde y duele un poco. estos los use como un mes, luego no fue necesario porque mi producción de leche se normalizó. Los use para dormir boca arriba pero les metí algodón absorbente para evitar derrames.

It works just fine. And when my wife didn’t need them anymore, I could use them as big eyes and run around making buzz noises. She doesn’t always appreciate it, but I do.

No son tan cómodos y sudas mucho