How to Apply, Use and Clean a Nipple Shield Sticker

Written by Le Lolo | Medically Reviewed and Verified by Katie Clark, IBCLC | Updated September 2026

A nipple shield sticker is a thin silicone disc that sits between your skin and your shield and keeps your nipple shield from falling off mid feed. So if yours slides off halfway through, you’re not alone. Shields move - and it’s honestly one of the biggest frustrations many moms have with their nipple shield. That's exactly why we made the nipple shield sticker, and how to keep a nipple shield in place is the question we get asked more than any other.

Let's walk through the whole thing, start to finish.

So what is a nipple shield sticker?

It's a small, double-sided, reusable silicone sticker that goes between your skin and your shield. Instead of your shield resting on bare skin with nothing to hold onto, it has something to grip.

It's made from 100% pure, food grade silicone with an eco-friendly glue, so it's hypoallergenic and BPA free. And it works with any nipple shield, not just ours, in any size.

Do you actually need one?

Nope!

You do not need a sticker to use our nipple shields. The shields work beautifully on their own, and plenty of mamas never reach for a sticker at all. This is a tool for the moms who are struggling with their shield staying put. If that's not you, wonderful. If it is you, keep reading.

And you don't have to buy one separately to try it. Every box of our nipple shields comes with a sticker included, so you can see whether it makes a difference for you.

How to apply a nipple shield sticker

There are two ways to do this. Start with the first one, and if it doesn't feel right ,try the second option.

Method one, sticker onto you. Peel one side of the film off the sticker, center it over your nipple, cut-out side facing up towards your chin, and press gently around the edges so it sits flat. Then take off the other piece of film, flip your shield the way you normally would, and place your nipple shield over the top of the sticker, pressing it in place..

Method two, sticker onto the shield. Remove one side of the film and stick the sticker to your shield. Once it's stuck, remove the other side of the film. Then flip your shield the way you normally would and stretch it over your nipple.

Either way, start with clean, dry skin. The whole thing takes about ten seconds once you've done it once or twice.

Want to see it instead of read it? There's a short video on our Nipple Shield Sticker product page showing both methods.

A few things that make it easier:

• Dry skin matters most. Just showered, or have balm or milk on your skin? Pat the area dry first. The sticker needs a dry surface to grip.

• Center it, then smooth outward. Press from the middle toward the edges so no air gets trapped underneath.

• Don't stretch it. Lay it down rather than pulling it into place. Silicone that goes on stretched wants to pull right back.

How to use a nipple shield sticker during a feed

Here's the best part: you don't change anything.

Once the sticker is on, use your nipple shield exactly the way you always have. The sticker sits between your skin and the shield and gives the shield something to hold onto, so it stays where you put it instead of shifting every time your baby moves or unlatches.

Your latch, your position, your routine, all the same. Most mamas leave it on for the whole feed and take it off afterward with the shield.

How to clean a nipple shield sticker (and why you can relax a little)

First, the part that puts most moms at ease: the sticker never goes near your baby's mouth. It sits underneath the shield, flat against your skin. It isn't a feeding item the way a bottle, a nipple, or a pump part is.

Sanitizing guidance, including the CDC's, is written for the things that carry milk into your baby, and it's absolutely worth following for your shield. The sticker is a different thing. It doesn't need that routine.

So how often should you wash it? Only when you really need to.

Washing and over-touching is what wears the adhesive down, so the more often you clean it, the sooner it stops gripping. When it does need a clean, gently hand wash it with mild soap and warm water, then let it air dry completely before you put it away.

We know that advice goes against every instinct. Most baby things get washed constantly! This one just lasts longer if you leave it alone.

What to avoid:

• Washing out of habit rather than need. This is the fastest way to lose the stick.

• Boiling, dishwashers, or sterilizers

• Scrubbing with anything abrasive, which damages the very surface that makes it grip

• Harsh or heavily fragranced detergents

• Putting it away damp

Between feeds, store it back on its film or tucked in your Nipple Shield Case so it stays free of lint and dust. Keeping it clean in storage is what saves you from having to wash it at all.

How long does a nipple shield sticker last?

There's no fixed number, and we'd rather tell you that honestly than make one up.

How long yours lasts depends on how often it's handled, how often it's washed, and how it's stored between feeds. Your skin plays a part too. Skin texture and your natural oils both affect how well the sticker grips, and every mama's body is beautifully different.

The practical answer: when it stops gripping the way it did when it was new, it's time for a new one. You'll know.

What if your nipple shield still keeps falling off?

A sticker solves the most common cause of a nipple shield falling off, which is simply that nothing is holding it in place. We go deeper into the why in How To Keep A Nipple Shield From Falling Off. If yours is still moving even with a sticker on, it's usually one of three things.

1. Fit

A shield that's too big or too small will move no matter what's underneath it, and fit is the thing most worth getting right.

Ours come in 16mm, 20mm and 24mm, which covers the majority of mamas, though other sizes do exist if you fall outside that range. Most moms don't land on the right one first try, and that's completely normal. Our Perfect Fit Kit includes all three sizes so you can find yours without guessing, and our Nipple Shield Sizing Guide walks you through measuring at home.

That said, we'll always encourage you to measure and confirm your fit with a lactation consultant. An IBCLC can check your size and watch a full feed, which tells you something a measurement alone can't: whether the shield is actually working for you and your baby.

1. Shape

Shields differ in two places: the teat your baby draws into their mouth, and the base that rests against your breast.

The teat comes in two main shapes:

• Conical. This is the option that is most common. The teat tapers like a thimble, and it suits the widest range of nipple shapes, which is why nearly every brand makes one.

• Cherry. Less common. The teat is rounded like a small ball on a narrower neck, so there's a defined edge for your baby to catch and hold onto. This provides a little more space at the end, which can be better for babies who need a little more defined, fuller shape or have trouble with the conical shape. 

Then there's the design of the base. Some shields are a full circle. Others have a cut out section, a curve removed from one side, so your baby's nose and chin can still reach your skin during a feed. That keeps the skin to skin contact that helps with bonding and with milk supply.

Neither base shape is wrong. But if keeping that contact matters to you, a cut out design is worth looking for.

2. Dryness

Milk, balm and sweat all reduce grip. A quick pat dry before you apply makes a real difference, especially in those early weeks when leaking is heaviest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a nipple shield sticker work with any brand of shield? Yes! It works with any nipple shield, in any size, because it grips your skin rather than attaching to one specific shield.

Do I need to sterilize a nipple shield sticker? No. It sits under your shield against your skin and never touches your baby's mouth, so it isn't a feeding item the way a bottle or a pump part is. Hand wash it gently only when it needs it, and save the sterilizing for the items that actually carry milk to your baby.

Can you reuse a nipple shield sticker? Yes, it's reusable by design. Store it on its film or in a clean case between feeds, and wash it only when it truly needs it.

Will a nipple shield sticker change my latch? No. It sits flat against your skin underneath the shield, so your latch and your feeding position stay exactly the same.

Do I have to use a sticker with my nipple shield? Not at all. Your shield works on its own. The sticker is there for the mamas whose shields won't stay put.

Why does my nipple shield keep falling off? Usually because there's nothing holding it there. Suction alone gives way as soon as your baby moves or unlatches, and milk, balm or sweat make it worse. Fit and shape matter too. A sticker solves the first cause, and the fit and shape sections above cover the rest.

What moms are saying

"These have been really helpful for keeping my nipple shield from moving around during feeds. I was constantly having to readjust it before, so having something that helps hold it in place makes nursing much less frustrating."

Tatiana O.

Final thoughts for you, mama

A shield that slides mid feed is such a small thing, and it can make an already long day feel so much longer. If that's where you are right now, a sticker is a genuinely easy fix.

And please know this: we always recommend guidance from a lactation professional when you're using a nipple shield, to make sure the fit is right and your baby is transferring milk well. A shield is a tool that should be making feeding easier, and an IBCLC can tell you pretty quickly whether yours is doing its job.

You've got this.

Shop the Nipple Shield Stickers, or start with the Perfect Fit Kit if you're still finding your size. And come say hi on Instagram @WeAreLeLolo, we love hearing what's working for you.

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We always recommend guidance from a lactation professional when using a nipple shield, to help make sure the fit is right and the feed is effective. If feeding hurts, or your baby is not gaining as expected, please reach out to an IBCLC or your healthcare provider rather than working through it alone.

This article has been medically reviewed and verified by Katie Clark, IBCLC

Katie is an IBCLC and founder of The Breastfeeding Mama. Katie specializes in complex milk supply challenges, pumping support, and prenatal preparation. She is dedicated to helping moms feel informed, prepared, and supported every step of the way.