$17.59 when purchased online
Target Online store #3991
About this item
Highlights
- Gentle pressure helps draw out flat/inverted nipples
- Contoured for a smoother look under clothes
- Soft, flexible backs for comfort
- Vented to allow air circulation
- Foam inserts absorb excess breast milk
- Helps keep nipples dry and prevent further irritation
- All parts that touch breast milk are made without BPA and safe for mom and baby
Description
Medela SoftShells™ for Inverted Nipples help draw out flat/inverted nipples with soft, flexible backs. The design is vented to allow air circulation during wear and the contoured shape provides a comfortable and smooth fit that is flattering under clothing. Consult with your healthcare provider or breastfeeding specialist prior to use.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.56 Inches (H) x 4.0 Inches (W) x 1.45 Inches (D)
Weight: .18 Pounds
Features: Dishwasher-Safe
Package Quantity: 2
Industry or Government Certifications: No Certifications
Compatible With: Medela: Freestyle, Medela: Pump in Style
Material: Polypropylene
Care & Cleaning: Dishwasher-Safe Parts
TCIN: 561213
UPC: 020451802206
Item Number (DPCI): 030-05-0644
Origin: Made in the USA and Imported
If the item details above aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 7.6 inches length x 3.9 inches width x 1.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.15 pounds
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.
Q: How long do you keep them on? Will milk collect in them?
submitted by Cr - 8 years ago
A: I wore them constantly for the first 3 weeks, you can wear as needed. The more comfortable I felt the less I started to wear. They were a life saver for me as I had soreness and chapping/bleeding going on. They come with a sponge to collect any drippings but I ended up cutting a nursing pad in half so that way I could just discard/throw away when wet, vs washing the sponge multiple days during the day. Hope that helps!
submitted byAlldean - 8 years agoA: Only wear breast shells during waking hours. The reason that you would only wear them during the day is so that you do not have to worry about lying on them or having them shift. If they shift they could apply pressure to the wrong area. If you are awake, you will know if they have moved out of place or if the pressure is too much and be able to adjust them. If using the SoftShells and milk is collected, do not feed the milk collected in the foam insert to the baby. Discard this milk.
submitted byMedela Product Expert - 8 years agoBrand expert
Q: Are the soft shells similar to milk savers in that they save any milked leaked from nipples?
submitted by Jen - 6 years ago
A: Hi Jen--- Our SoftShells are not made with materials specifically intended for food grade purposes as the Medela Soft Shells are not intended for collection or storage of milk, nor has the product tested for such purpose. Please consider reaching out to us via chat on our website if you have any questions! - Your Medela Customer Service Team
submitted byMedela Product Expert - 6 years agoBrand expert
Q: can I wear the soft part alone without the shell if I’m pregnant and have flat nipples?
submitted by Kherrera - 6 years ago
A: Hi Kherrera--- Our SoftShells are designed to be used with both the soft portion and the hard shell. We would not recommend using only the soft part. Please consider reaching out to us if you have any other questions. We'd be happy to help! - Your Medela Customer Service Team
submitted byMedela Product Expert - 6 years agoBrand expert
Q: Is it 2 nipples for one order?
submitted by Mariane - 7 years ago
A: Yes, the SoftShells for Inverted Nipples comes in a pack of 2.
submitted byMedela Product Expert - 7 years agoBrand expert
Q: How do these work? It's not clear what they do.
submitted by Jill - 8 years ago
A: Medela SoftShells help solve some of the most common problems faced by breastfeeding women - nipple soreness and flat or inverted nipples. They apply pressure to the area and help pull the nipple outward.
submitted byMedela Product Expert - 8 years agoBrand expert
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Summary of reviews
These nipple shields are highly effective for guests dealing with flat or inverted nipples, making breastfeeding more manageable. They provide comfort, protect tender nipples, and collect leaking milk. However, some guests noted issues with milk spillage and visibility under clothing. Overall, they are praised for their intended purpose and have significantly improved breastfeeding experiences for many.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars with 47 reviews
easy to clean: 4.63 out of 5
safety: 3 out of 5
design: 3.67 out of 5
81% would recommend
11 recommendations
Love
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Des - 6 months ago
Im reading the reviews about people using them im guessing to capture leakage? But i was given these by the hospital because my nips werent natural “hard” making it hard for my baby to latch so i would use this to keep them hard and they did the job. Only needed them for a few days and they were good to go!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 6 months ago
Hi Des--- We’re happy to hear that you’ve had a great experience. Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Nifty shells
4 out of 5 stars
pollyanna64 - 3 years ago, Verified purchaser
It's not the perfect product, but it's effective at what it does. It's designed well to fit comfortable on my breasts while being rounded so that it doesn't look half bad under my bra and shirt. I also appreciate the little vent holes, because heaven knows my breasts don't get much breathing room under my washable nursing pads. The only downside to this, I'd say, would be that if you bend over, whatever milk is not absorbed by the little sponges trickles out of the vent holes, so you'd still have to wear nursing pads to be on the safe side—it just makes my breasts look funny under my shirt with all the layers. Other than that, for its intended purpose, it definitely helped me have a better experience breastfeeding. It does the job for improving the shape of my flat nipple before feedings, and that's a win for me!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 3 years ago
Hi pollyanna64--- Thank you for sharing your honest feedback! We wish you the best!
Don't not hold your milk
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Brei - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
I was very excited to get these and then with my first wear I noticed the milk was spilling out of them way too easy like what’s the point of wearing these to try and save your milk if it can’t even d hold the milk safe and securely in the cup’s?! This company seriously may want to rethink your design because this one sucks! Thing’s like this are why I’m not a true fan of the madela brand!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 3 years ago
Hi Brei--- We're sorry for any inconvenience! Our SoftShells for Inverted Nipples are not made with materials specifically intended for food grade purposes as the Medela Soft Shells are not intended for collection or storage of milk, nor has the product tested for such purpose. Please consider reaching out to us via chat on our website if you have any questions!
Life saver!
5 out of 5 stars
Amyow - 5 years ago
originally posted on medela.com
These are amazing! Not only does it protect my tender nipples, but collecting the let down milk is an amazing feature! Soft pads just absorb and stick to nipples, wasting all that milk! This is my 3rd child and I wish I had discovered them sooner!
1 reply from Your Customer Solutions Team team - 5 years ago
Hi Amyow--- Thank you so much for the great feedback. We're happy that you have had such a great experience. Enjoy!
Saved my tender nipples!
4 out of 5 stars
hannahlavinia - 5 years ago
originally posted on medela.com
I received these in the hospital when I first started breastfeeding. My nipples were so tender, so it hurt to wear anything or for anything to touch my nipples. These saved my nipples from a lot of pain! And they caught milk/colostrum that leaked. I highly recommend!! You do have to be careful not to bend over or you spill the milk that is caught.
1 reply from Your Customer Solutions Team team - 5 years ago
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback! It's great to know that they were able to help provide you some relief!
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
autumnluna - 6 years ago, Verified purchaser
Wonderful for my daughter who was having trouble with breastfeeding.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 6 years ago
We're so happy to know that our SoftShells helped her! Thanks for sharing the great feedback. - Your Medela Customer Solutions Team
Comfortable
4 out of 5 stars
Tarbie - 6 years ago
I just started using these recently, my baby is not due for another month. Hopefully they work, they are comfortable and not noticable under clothes
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 6 years ago
Hi Tarbie--- Thanks for choosing Medela! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our team via chat on our website. We're available to help you 24 hours a day, 5 days a week and Saturdays until 12pm CST. - Your Medela Customer Service Team
Lifesaver
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Michelle - 7 years ago
These were a complete lifesaver for me. My first time breastfeeding was awful because of flat nipples and the nipple guards made it worse by causing a weird latch for my son. With my daughter, i wore these a couple months before I delivered after reading advice online. My nipples got used to pulling out and I truly believe stretched them out a bit. I had virtually no problems breastfeeding my daughter with these and using certain feeding holds.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 7 years ago
Hi Michelle--- It is stories like yours that motivate us to continue to create innovative products to help moms and babies during such an important time in their breastfeeding journey. It is wonderful to hear that our products are working as expected and helping you to breastfeed more easily and comfortably. Thanks for taking time to share your story with us! - Your Medela Customer Service Team
What inverted nip?
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Mommatobe - 7 years ago, Verified purchaser
Due in 6 weeks, and finally bought these. Knew I needed them for an inverted nipple, doctor told me i would need these. They ARE bigger than I thought, but not super noticeable when on. I have DD’s and HAVE to wear them with a bra on, they won’t stay on if I don’t wear one. Worked VERY well for the first time I used them, and I was surprised since I couldn’t get them like that otherwise.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 7 years ago
We're so happy to hear that they have worked well for you. Please reach out to us if you ever have any questions. We have excellent resources and a free online lactation consultant as well! - Your Medela Customer Service Team
Could have saved myself months of pain if I had used these SOONER!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
samanthab - 7 years ago
After 2 months of extreme pain, shallow latch, multiple visits from LC's, breastfeeding support group, tears and feeling like a failure, I could barely breastfeed more than once a day due to the pain and was forced to express/bottle feed almost exclusively. I was very close to giving up, and had just gotten myself used to the idea that we weren't going to get it, and I had tried my best. I figured I'd give these a try, AND WHY DIDN'T I TRY SOONER?!?!?!?! Absolute Game Changer! After 2 days of wearing them, pain free latch and such a happy baby and mama! I have been wearing them a month and there has been no problems with breastfeeding, I still wear them all day, did try to go without for a day, and the pain returned. I don't sleep with them though, and morning feed seems to be fine without them. Only downside, they do look pretty funny, I have DDD breasts and they stick out even more and look kind of like Madonna in her cone bra days, although under a padded bra and loose shirt you really can't tell at all. Will wear them as long as needed! So grateful for these, and would recommend 100%
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Mommyof2 - 8 years ago, Verified purchaser
These are absolutely amazing for getting your nipples to come out if you have flat or inverted nipples! You just put them on & they work all on their own.. you can even tell that your wearing anything. Absolutely recommend.
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
FirstTimeMom - 8 years ago
Great for flat/inverted nipples. Wish I had known/bought this product before my baby arrived.
Saved My Life When I Started Breastfeeding!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Firsttimemom101 - 8 years ago
Not only did these help to form my nipples in an easy-to-latch-onto shape, but they kept them from rubbing against my bra when they were in the tender stage. So much more comfortable! They also caught the milk when I would leak, so I could pour it into bottles and store the extra milk in case the baby needed more. I didn't have to pump extra because of all the milk these shells caught during each feeding. All around lifesavers!
Using these plus 5mnths of expressing and still inverted
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
EmmaS - 8 years ago
I used these as per the instruction and my nipples did not change. My baby sadly couldn't/ wouldn't latch after weeks of trying and deep sadness on my part. I ended up expressing milk solidly for 5 months and my nipples are still inverted/flat. I'm not sure they could ever not be that way?!?
Life saver!!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Kbrookec5 - 10 years ago
I had my first baby 3 months ago and had no idea I would struggle with flat nipple! Breastfeeding was something I planned on doing, but I struggled so bad at first! I ended up working with a lactation consultant and had to use a nipple shield to feed my baby! This was ok for a while, because really I was just happy I was able to nurse my baby! After a while I got so frustrated and annoyed with the nipple shovel because I couldn't easily feed my baby and always had to make sure I had my nipple shield with me or else I would end up with a screaming baby that I couldn't feed! I researched anything I could possibly do and tried multiple things before coming across these! I ordered them in desperation, and within an hour of wearing them I was able to breastfeeding my baby successfully for the first time with no nipple shield! After a week of wearing them I don't even need them anymore and my baby latches on great! He just needed to get used to not using the nipple shield! I couldn't be more pleased with this product!
Huge! They should specify size in the description.
1 out of 5 stars
Pallavi Rane - 11 years ago
These are almost 4inches in diameter and about an inch thick. I purchased these because some reviews said they are smaller then Philips avant shields and dont show under cloths. I am a DD size before pregnancy, and they definitely show up as weird protrusions even under clothing. They might be useful to wear on one side while feeding/pumping from the other, but definitely can't have them on all the time. Returned them because that was the purpose I purchased them with.
Medela soft shells work great!
5 out of 5 stars
- 11 years ago
These work great at pulling at preparing the nipples for breastfeeding. Especially if you have inverted or flat nipples. Been wearing for 2 weeks and notice a definite difference!
They worked!
5 out of 5 stars
doone - 12 years ago
I started using these a week or so before delivery on the recommendation by my OB because my nipples were flat and one inverted also. They remedied the problem and my baby was able to get a good latch. The lactation consultants at the hospital were impressed with how well they worked for me. I continued to wear them while in the hospital after birth and in the first couple of weeks at home to keep the nipples out. After that I didn't really need them for the issue, but wore them from time to time when my nipples were sore.
must have
5 out of 5 stars
turtle - 13 years ago
These help when you have sore nipples. It keeps them away from rubbing against anything. I only had to use them for about a month, but well worth the money!
so far so good
5 out of 5 stars
Lauren - 13 years ago
Just got these to correct inverted nipples and so far they seem to work. My baby isn't here yet, but when he gets here these should help out a lot with nursing. Especially since I didn't have anything like it with my first 2 and it was really hard to start out nursing with inverted nipples.