Breast Pump

Rating: - An OK product
I bought the Avent Breastshells because of my sore nipples, and a way to collect leaking milk while I was not nursing, and relieve some engorment.

1. It is very messy when removing the colleting cap
2. My nipples are still sore
3. And the only way to relieve engorment pain is to nurse or to pump

If I would have known about these factors I would not have purchased this product!

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Rating: - Great Help To Me
These breastshells helped me during pregnancy and post. During pregnancy they helped draw out my flat, and what I know now as small nipples. Post-pregnancy they helped relieve engorgement because they exert a small amount of pressure on the areola. This helped my baby latch on better b/c the breast wasn't soooo full. (I have a lot of milk). The shells catch milk really well, and if they are sterile you can even save the milk.

The other great thing about these breastshells is that they prevent sore nipples from rubbing on your bra. I'd put a little lansinoh on my nipples, then the breastshells, then the bra. Just felt better. Only precaution: Make sure you put them on with the holes on the top or else you will be soaked, and they really can't be worn outside your home. They are obvious and unattractive.

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Rating: - Function over form
They look awful but if you have sore cracked nipples or inverted nipples they are the only thing that will really fix what's wrong. The good news is if you use breast shells when you need them for the above mentioned maladies- you won't have to use them for long because you will heal after just a few days even if you wear them part time. They come with little curved white sponges that you just drop in the bottom of the shell. These sponges absorb the milk that leaks so that you don't have to worry about it comming out of the vent holes at the top when you bend over. I just would rinse them with soap and water to clean and let air dry I think each breast shell set come with four sponges and you can buy more if you need them but 4 was enough for me. NOTE: don't use them to collect milk to give to your baby as one reviewer suggested. The milk collected in a breast shell is to be discarded as it states in the package instructions.

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Rating: - did not work for me!
It made my breasts look funny, it made my nipples more irritable & it left painful marks on my breasts. Hardly ever used it. :(

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Rating: - Worked great - looked awkward
When my nipples were sore and cracked, these were great and helped me heal quickly. They also collect a lot of leaking breastmilk, but make sure to check them often because they will leak if they get too full.

These looked strange under my clothes, you could definitly tell I was wearing something. One thing I didn't like about the appearance, aside from the weird shape, was that there are little plastic bumps on the outside of the shell, two on each side, and the bumps are noticable under a tight shirt.

I'm glad I had the shells, but I wished they were less awkward.