# Breast shell > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Breast_shell > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Breast_shell.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_shell > Source revision: 1355982381 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Treatment for inverted nipples "Milk cup" redirects here. For other uses, see [Milk cup (disambiguation)](/source/Milk_cup_(disambiguation)). **Breast shells** are hollow, lightweight plastic disks worn inside the [brassiere](/source/Brassiere) to help correct flat or [inverted nipples](/source/Inverted_nipple) either in preparation for or during [breastfeeding](/source/Breastfeeding). Also known as **milk cups**, **breast cups**, **breast shields**, **san belts**, or **Woolwich shields**, they can also be used to ease sensitive nipples or collect milk when the baby has not finished the teat.[1] Breast shells function by applying gentle but firm pressure to the region surrounding the nipple to stretch underlying [adhesions](/source/Adhesions) and draw out the nipple.[2] [Nipple shields](/source/Nipple_shield_(breastfeeding)) may be confused with breast shells, but shields are intended for use during the act of breastfeeding, whereas breast shells are worn in preparation for or after breastfeeding. ## Usage A breast shell is composed of inner and outer sections which snap together and enclose the nipple. The inner section, which encircles the nipple and puts pressure on the surrounding breast tissue, is often lined with soft material such as [silicone](/source/Silicone). The rigid outer section separates the nipple from the bra and clothing and leaves open a space which can collect milk.[1][3] If the shell is used to help ready the mother for breastfeeding, this is best done during pregnancy because the shell can increase leaking of breast milk or [colostrum](/source/Colostrum). On the other hand, some wear breast shells to collect leaking milk while nursing the baby on the other breast.[1] If worn to correct inverted or flat nipples, the shells are typically worn during the [third trimester](/source/Third_trimester) for up to 10 hours daily as the mother's comfort dictates.[2][4] ## Criticism Some research suggests that breast shells used on inverted nipples may either hinder or have no effect on the mother's ability to breastfeed successfully. One study of women with inverted or non-protractile nipples found no statistically significant difference in breastfeeding success between using breast shields and doing nothing.[5] ## See also - [Pasties](/source/Pasties) - [Nipple shield (breastfeeding)](/source/Nipple_shield_(breastfeeding)) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-woessner_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-woessner_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-woessner_1-2) Woessner, Candace (January 1, 1995). *Breastfeeding Today* (2 ed.). Avery. pp. 220–221. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mohrbacher_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mohrbacher_2-1) Mohrbacher, Nancy (January 1, 2003). *The Breastfeeding Answer Book*. La Leche League International. p. 472. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["BH waschen, aber richtig"](https://bhkaufen.de/bh-waschen/). Retrieved 2018-08-18. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Breast Pump Guide"](https://ucare.co.il/baby/breast-pump). Thursday, April 23, 2020 1. **[^](#cite_ref-alexander_5-0)** Alexander, JM; et al. (April 1992). ["Randomised controlled trial of breast shells and Hoffman's exercises for inverted and non-protractile nipples"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1881748). *British Medical Journal*. **304** (6833): 1030–2. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1136/bmj.304.6833.1030](https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmj.304.6833.1030). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [1881748](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1881748). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [1586788](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1586788). v t e Infants and their care Health (pediatrics) Apgar score Baby food Birth weight Breast pump Breastfeeding Breastfeeding and medications Breastfeeding and mental health Bottle feeding Colic Cradle cap Esotropia Failure to thrive Immunization Infant and toddler safety Infant bathing Infant feeding Infant food safety Infant formula Infant massage Infant respiratory distress syndrome Infant sleep training Neonatal intensive care unit Newborn care and safety Oral rehydration therapy Pedialyte Preterm birth Shaken baby syndrome Soy formula SIDS Development Attachment parenting Baby-led weaning Baby talk Babbling Birth defect Childbirth Crawling Gestational age Infant visual development Irritant diaper dermatitis Infant cognitive development Infant crying Kangaroo care Mother Nursery rhyme Object permanence Parent Parenting Peekaboo Play Prenatal development Prenatal development table Teething Walking Weaning Socialization and culture Attachment Babysitting Child abuse Child care Child custody Children's rights UN Child rights Circumcision Foster care Grandparent visitation Infant swimming Milk bank Nanny Wet nurse Infant care and equipment Baby bouncer Baby gate Baby monitor/Hidden camera Baby powder Baby shampoo Baby toy Baby walker Bib Baby swing Baby transport Baby sling Bassinet Changing table Child safety seat Child vehicular heat stroke deaths Cloth diaper Cradleboard Diaper Diaper bag Baby wipes Haberman Feeder High chair Infant bed (American 'crib' and 'cradle', British 'cot') Infant carrier Infant clothing bodysuit Nursing chair Pacifier Playpen Stroller Supplemental nursing system Swaddling Swim diaper Teether Travel cot Other topics Baby shower Babywearing Child neglect Closed adoption Cry room Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder Infant ear piercing Open adoption Prenatal cocaine exposure Neonatal withdrawal syndrome Parental child abduction Parental responsibility Parenting plan Paternity Paternity fraud Stunted growth --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Breast shell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_shell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_shell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.