Medela SoftShells for Sore Nipple - 2ct
$15.99
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$24.99 - $27.99
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4.4 out of 5 stars with 651 ratings
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This product is designed to provide relief for sore nipples during breastfeeding, making it a valuable tool for new mothers. Many guests appreciate its ability to keep clothing away from sensitive areas, allowing for air circulation and healing. The inclusion of washable inserts for milk absorption is also noted as a beneficial feature. However, some guests experienced discomfort and leakage issues, particularly when bending over or moving too much. Overall, it serves as a helpful aid for many in their nursing journey.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.1 out of 5 stars with 85 reviews
design: 3.92 out of 5
easy to clean: 4.43 out of 5
safety: 3.7 out of 5
75% would recommend
33 recommendations
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
16 May, 2025
Comfort Between Feedings!
This is a great product for those who experience pain or chaffing after breastfeeding! My lactation consultant got me hooked on these because I’d be incredibly sore after feeding my daughter and just putting a nursing pad on would cause more pain. I love how they’re ventilated and allow for me to take a break without worrying about my clothes rubbing and causing more friction. They are NOT meant to collect milk! They are great for short term use between feeds when you need the girls to breathe and not rub against anything. I’m really glad I learned about these. If you do need to wear them for over an hour - put a nursing pad below to catch any leaks or letdown.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 8 months ago
Hi LaurenPCV13--- Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! Wishing you all the best!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
24 February, 2024Verified purchase
Highly recommend
When started nursing my nips were very sore and I couldn’t have them touching the clothes. When I used them my nips had a very needed relief. I highly recommend specially the first week of nursing. They don’t appear bulky in the bra.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 2 years ago
Hi Marina--- We're so glad to hear that these helped! Best wishes!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
8 December, 2023
5/5 if you actually read description
I’m confused by many of the reviews. The primary purpose of this product (as found in the description) is to keep your nipples off shirts/bras, offer ventilation (hence the holes which are an intentional design, shoot they even include washable inserts to soak up any milk because catching the milk is NOT the purpose), and push out nipples that may be flat or inverted. It 100% delivers on those points. I wore these for 3 hours, completely forgot about them because I found them to be so comfortable, and when I took them off my nipples were sticking straight out and even had colostrum leaking out (I’m a couple weeks shy of giving birth). I’ll definitely wear these the days before I plan to give birth to give my baby the best chance at latching, and to protect sore nipples from getting enraged at the slightest bit of friction. I will say I was wearing a fitted bra to firmly keep them in place and my nipple size is about 20 mm. These fit me very well, but larger nipples may rub uncomfortably if the bra is not holding these firmly in place.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 2 years ago
Hi Mom--- We're happy to know that you have had a great experience! Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. Best wishes!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
12 November, 2023Verified purchase
AN ABSOLUTE MUST
People with bad reviews are wearing them for the wrong reasons! I use them in the first week when my milk is coming in, baby is nursing and your nipples are raw but not leaking yet. It SAVED MY LIFE AND NURSING JOURNEY! I used lanolin or coconut oil then put these on so they didn’t stick or rub to my clothes. If you’re a new mom and really want to breastfeed definitely have these!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 2 years ago
Hi KellyandKins--- Thank you for sharing your feedback! We wish you all the best!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
11 November, 2023
The worst catcher
Don't get this as a new mom. This brought more pain and stress then needed. One little move it soils your bra and your baby--beyond frustrating when you need a practical and reliable device. This one just causes more problems and work.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 2 years ago
Hi Newmom--- We're very sorry to hear that, this is not the experience we want for our moms. Please never hesitate to reach out to us at 800-435-8316 with any questions or concerns. Our Customer Service team would be happy to help!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
26 September, 2023Verified purchase
Would not recommend
Leaked everywhere. Didn't absorb anything. Had to change clothes right before work.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 2 years ago
Hi Jess--- We're sorry to hear about your experience, this is not what we want for our moms. Please consider contacting us at 800-435-8316 so we can do our best to help.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
1 January, 2023Verified purchase
Not for me
It does what its says but personally it was painful to use.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 3 years ago
Hi Rose--- We’re sorry you’re having this experience, please contact our Customer Service team at 800-435-8316 as soon as possible so we can collect some additional information and do our best to help. When calling, please provide reference number 443484.
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
10 September, 2022
Spills milks
i bought these but it's difficult to take out the milk without some milk dropping. Also because it has holes for air ventilation on top, you can spill milk if you bend down.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 3 years ago
Hi Mary--- We appreciate your honest feedback. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800-435-8316 with reference number 420955 so we can do our best to assist. We're happy to help!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
28 July, 2022Verified purchase
No bending over
I use these for catching the letdown while feeding on the other side. They are not great to just wear and go, though. They leak when bending over or moving too much.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 4 years ago
Hi AS--- Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. Have a great day!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
4 June, 2022Verified purchase
Must have
These work amazing for keeping your clothes from rubbing on painful nipples!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 4 years ago
Hi tracy podz--- We're so glad they worked well for you!
5 out of 5 stars
26 June, 2019
originally posted on medela.com
Life saver!
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 - 7 years ago
Hi Amyow--- Thank you so much for the great feedback. We're happy that you have had such a great experience. Enjoy!
4 out of 5 stars
10 June, 2019
originally posted on medela.com
Saved my tender nipples!
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 - 7 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!
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
5 February, 2019Verified purchase
Good idea but fell short.
I was looking for anything that might help with my sore chapped nipples. Now these are pretty big, when you first place them on it's not bad they do help keep your bra or shirt off your nipples. However you do need a bra or tank with a built in bra to hold these in place. After a short period of time they mold to your nipple and push your breast into the cup. There are holes to allow for air flow but your bra will cover them. Just not what I was hoping for.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 7 years ago
We're sorry to hear these weren't quite what you hoped for. Your feedback is appreciated as it helps us continue to improve upon our designs. Have a great day! - Your Medela Customer Solutions Team
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
19 January, 2019
Life changing for me
I went through two pregnancies without knowing about these bad boys, and was lucky enough to be introduced to them by my SIL when she visited me shortly after having my third child. I was really depressed, mostly because my nipples were SO sore and every time I moved I was in pain. I took the silicone parts off of these, put nipple cream on, and wore them all day and night. I walked around with confidence knowing if something brushed me I wouldn't be doubled over in pain. They didn't stick to me, and I could clean them every night and rinse with cold water which felt so good when I put them back on. I would recommend these to anyone who is pumping or nursing!!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 7 years ago
Hi Laura--- It brings us such joy to hear stories like yours in which our products have helped to make a difference. We're glad that you were able to continue on your breast milk feeding journey with less pain! - Your Medela Customer Solutions Team
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
20 September, 2018Verified purchase
(no review title)
This item is the closest to comfort for sore nipples you can get to. I wore them for less than a day and saw my nipples transform. It’s so difficult to ventilate your nipples but these cups even though they don’t stay put and are not discrete they help air out your nipples. In the shower I use a sports bra to hold the cups in place so I can finally be worry free about the water hitting my nipples. I don’t recommend using these out, like I stated earlier, they don’t stay in place.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 7 years ago
We're glad to hear that they even helped you shower more comfortably! Thanks for sharing your positive feedback with us and other parents like you who may be struggling to find a product to help them. Your feedback can often times make their product decisions a bit easier. - Your Medela Customer Service Team
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
31 May, 2018Verified purchase
Sad I wasted money on these.
These seemed like a great option to keep my sore nipples from rubbing my bra, and being smashed, but they made it worse. The silicone backing has a small hole where nipple goes, but it covered my sensitive areola, and left an indentation. It made them even more sore. It puts pressure on the areola, and also pushed my nipple out, and kept it erect. Which makes sense because it says these can be used for flat or inverted nipples to draw them out, but it just made them painful. Nope, not for me. It’s ashame I spent $20 on something I’m gong to throw away.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
25 May, 2018Verified purchase
(no review title)
These saved my sore nipples!
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 8 years ago
We are so pleased to hear that they helped provide relief! Thanks for taking time to share your feedback with us. - Your Medela Customer Service Team
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
15 November, 2017Verified purchase
Sweaty nipples, not comfortable
They’re much larger than I thought they would be and not comfortable. They have holes for ventilation but if you wear them with a bra, as the directions say, the nipples do not get any air and get sweaty. I would recommend soothie gel pads over these breast shields even though they’re not reusable.
1 reply from Medela Product Expert team - 8 years ago
Hi Alison, we're deeply sorry that the Medela Softshells for Sore Nipple are not comfortable and not providing proper ventilation for you. We would like to further assist you. You can contact our Customer Service team at 1-800-435-8316. We look forward to speaking with you!
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
10 September, 2017Verified purchase
Didn't work for me.
I found them to be ineffective. They ended up hurting my nipples and became a waste of money and the foam inserts added to the list of many things you already have to keep clean with breastfeeding. I just recently threw them out.
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
25 April, 2017Verified purchase
Not a fan
I am not a fan of these. They are painful to wear and indent my breasts after a short period of time. They also have to be worn with a bra to hold them in place which puts even more pressure on them to indent your breasts. Also, there is no airflow to keep your nipples dry because a bra covers all the holes. The only benefit of these is that your nipple itself is not being mashed by your bra.