About Medela PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields
Breast shields play a key role in pumping efficiency and overall comfort. Your Medela PersonalFit Flex shield offers new Medela Flex Technology and a unique design that adjusts easily to your breast shape - its flexible oval shape can be rotated 360 degrees and adapts to your body, so you can find the most comfortable and efficient pumping position for you. Additionally, a 105-degree angle opening combined with a soft, smooth rim is designed to reduce unnecessary pressure on the breast and lay smoothly for comfortable positioning, pumping efficiency, and a more natural feeling. Our PersonalFit Flex breast shields don't just remove more milk than traditional breast shields or effectively remove milk faster - these breast shields remove 11.8% more milk per minute and help moms pump more milk than when pumping with traditional breastshields! This optimizes your pumping sessions, making them more effective and more comfortable.
Key Benefits & Features
- 105° opening angle is designed to reduce pressure on the breast to optimize comfort
- The soft rim lays smoothly on the breast for a comfortable, natural feeling
- Oval shape can be rotated 360° for comfortable, flexible positioning
- Made of food-grade plastic; made without BPA, natural rubber latex, and phthalates
- Compatible with all Medela Breast Pumps for Pumping Directly into the Bottle
Medela PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields FAQs
What are the breast shields made of?
The PersonalFit breast shields are made of Polypropylene.
How should I clean my PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields?
The PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields should be washed and sanitized prior to first use. They should continue to be washed after each use and sanitized once daily. Cleaning instructions for the PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields are the same as the cleaning instructions for your other breast pump parts that come in contact with your breast or breast milk; please refer to the breast pump instructions for use for detailed cleaning instructions.
What breast pumps can you use the shield with?
PersonalFit Flex Breast Shields can be used with all Medela breast pumps.
What is a nipple shield?
A nipple shield is a thin, flexible piece of silicone that you place over your nipple before breastfeeding to protect it. There are holes in the tip so your milk can pass through to your baby. Some mums worry that having a ‘barrier’ between themselves and their baby may interfere with the intimacy of breastfeeding, which is why Medela Contact Niple Shields have an open section to ensure you still enjoy plenty of that special skin contact.
When to use nipple shields
There are three main circumstances when you might use nipple shields:
- If you have sore, cracked nipples, or are suffering from nipple pain.
- If you have flat or inverted nipples.
- If your baby has problems latching on to the nipple and is not drinking milk well.
- Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist will be able to advise you whether or not nipple shields are appropriate for you, and can also support you with your ongoing breastfeeding needs.
How to use nipple shields
After washing your hands with drinking-quality water and drying them thoroughly, grip the wings of the Contact Nipple Shield to guide it into place. Moistening the shield with drinking-quality water will help it stick. See the Contact Nipple Shield instructions for full details of how to put them on. The nipple shield should fit comfortably on your nipple without pinching – Medela nipple shields come in three sizes, so you can find the best fit for your type of nipple, our handy fitting guide has more details. Remember you’ll need to clean them after each use and disinfect once a day – see instructions for details of cleaning and sanitising. Contact Nipple Shields come with a convenient carry case so you can keep them safe between uses.
Nipple shields for sore nipples
Sore or cracked nipples can have a number of causes, so it’s important to get to the root cause before deciding on what to do about them. For example, if you have sore nipples you may want to try hydrogel pads or breast shells first, as well as seeking further lactation support. If these don’t improve the situation, Contact Nipple Shields can protect your nipples while still enabling breastfeeding – made from ultra-thin, soft silicone, they’re gentle even on sore, dry or cracked skin.
Nipple shields for flat or inverted nipples
If you have flat or inverted nipples your baby may find it harder to latch on, especially when she is small – but that doesn’t mean breastfeeding isn’t possible! An inverted or flat nipple might not touch the roof of your baby’s mouth during a feed, which can mean her sucking reflex isn’t triggered. Contact Nipple Shields can help by extending the reach of your nipple. And because they are flavour-free, your baby is unlikely to taste anything unusual while you’re using them.
Helping your baby to latch on
As outlined above, using a nipple shield can offer a baby who is struggling to latch on a larger, firmer target. Your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist can ensure your baby is latching well while you’re using the shield. You’ll also need to monitor your baby’s weight gain to ensure your milk supply is meeting her requirements.1 In general, nipple shields are a short-term solution – in time, as your baby’s suck strengthens and you get used to breastfeeding, you may well be able to start weaning off nipple shields.
