Do You Really Need the New Munchkin Nipple Shield? Trust Your Instincts Instead

Munchkin recently released a new nipple shield, and while it’s being marketed as a game-changer for breastfeeding moms, let’s take a step back. Do you really need it? More importantly, is it truly helping or just adding another layer of unnecessary intervention to a natural process?

As a lactation consultant, I’ve worked with countless moms who are insecure about their baby’s feeding or their milk supply, and are bombarded with products designed to “fix” breastfeeding when, in reality, their bodies already know what to do. Let’s talk about why nipple shields are often unnecessary and how you can trust your instincts instead.

Why Nipple Shields Exist

Nipple shields can serve a purpose in very specific situations—such as helping premature babies latch or providing temporary relief for severely damaged nipples. But in most cases, they are a band-aid solution that doesn’t address the root cause of breastfeeding challenges. Instead of reaching for a shield, it’s essential to figure out why the latch is painful or ineffective.

What the Munchkin Nipple Shield Claims to Do

The shield has a “channel” that allows you to see the milk “flowing”—essentially if there is milk in the shield then you will see it go through the little outer channel.

Munchkin’s new design boasts features like:

✔️ A unique cutout to maintain skin-to-skin contact

✔️ A soft silicone material for comfort

✔️ An “optimal” shape for better latch assistance

✔️ Nurse confidently knowing your milk is flowing

Sounds great in theory, right? But here’s the problem—no artificial product can replace the natural skin-to-skin connection, and many nipple shields (even well-designed ones) can interfere with milk transfer, reduce milk supply over time, and make weaning from them difficult.

Why You Don’t Need It

1. Babies Are Born to Breastfeed – Your baby instinctively knows how to find and latch onto the breast. When given the right support—like frequent skin-to-skin contact and an unhurried environment—most babies can latch without any artificial barriers.

2. Pain Is a Sign That Something Needs to Be Adjusted – Instead of masking discomfort with a shield, work with a lactation consultant to fine-tune positioning and latch. Minor adjustments often make a world of difference.

3. Nipple Shields Can Impact Milk Supply – Because they create a barrier between your baby and your nipple, shields can sometimes result in less effective milk removal, which may lead to a drop in supply.

4. Breastfeeding Confidence Comes From Trusting Yourself – The more you rely on your body and your baby’s natural instincts, the more empowered you’ll feel. You don’t need a piece of silicone to tell you that you’re doing it right.

What to Do Instead of Using a Nipple Shield

• Seek professional support – A lactation consultant can help assess latch issues, positioning, and any underlying challenges.

• Try the laid-back breastfeeding position – This allows your baby to use their natural reflexes to latch deeply.

• Give yourself grace – Breastfeeding is a learning process for both you and your baby. Trust that your body knows what to do.

• If you truly do need a nipple shield, this one is not worse than other options, however again I encourage you to trust all the other signs that your baby is getting what they need and not rely on actually seeing the milk in the channel.

Final Thoughts: Less Is More

Moms are already overwhelmed with products that claim to make breastfeeding “easier.” But often, these gadgets create more dependency and self-doubt. The truth? You don’t need a nipple shield unless a trained professional has determined it’s necessary for a specific medical reason. Trust your body. Trust your baby. You’ve got this.

If you’re struggling with breastfeeding and need support, I offer virtual lactation consulting to help you find natural, lasting solutions—without unnecessary interventions. Reach out, and let’s get you and your baby back to basics.