If you're a breastfeeding and pumping mother, always trying to find ways to save breast milk where you possibly can, like me, the Avent 2-in-1 Breast Shells are definitely something to look at.

The Avent 2-in-1 Breast Shell set comes with 6 pieces. It has 2 ventilated shells, 2 non-ventilated shells and 2 Ultra-soft silicone cushions. When I started breastfeeding my second child, we had some latching issues and as a result I got really sore, cracked and bleeding nipples. It got to the point where I couldn't even have her feed on me as it was too painful; any form of nursing pad that I used got stuck to my cracked and bleeding nipples and made the pain even worse when I tried to pull the nursing pads off. Then I found the Avent 2-in-1 Breast shell set.

The 2 ventilated shells protected my sore and cracked nipples and helped with the healing process. The fact that the shells are ventilated helped to keep my nipples dry and stopped the ointment, which I used to repair the cracks with, from rubbing off on normal nursing pads. It has only 4 open ventilation holes, so the milk that collected in the shell didn't spill. I would however suggest using the non-ventilated ones when sleeping and wearing the shells, as the possibility of the milk leaking out through the ventilation holes are always present.

The 2 non-ventilated shells are perfect to collect that extra milk while nursing or pumping. Our human bodies are designed to have a let down on both sides while nursing and feeding our babies. And I always try to save every last drop of breast milk, making this is the perfect product. The non-ventilated shells are completely closed, so the milk collected in them doesn't leak (unless the silicone cushions aren't properly attached), no matter in what position I am sitting. I usually used a small feeding bottle in my bra while nursing or pumping to collect the excess milk, but that was uncomfortable and sometimes the milk just leaked out of the bottle. Now I can comfortably sit back while nursing, knowing that the excess milk is caught up and won't leak out.

The Ultra-soft Backing Cushions attach to the back of the shells. There's only one pair in the box, but that is all I need. They fit both the ventilated and non-ventilated shells. They are really comfortable and mould to the shape of my breast. They have a hole in the middle for my nipple to fit through; this design makes the whole completely assembled breast shell perfect. They have "massage cushions" in a circle around the whole backing cushion that helps to exert a light pressure (you don't physically feel this) around the areola causing the milk to slowly leak out, this is perfect for those very painful engorged breasts when I didn't even want to see a pump or a hungry baby because my breasts were too sore.
The fully assembled breast shell has a great shape for me for the collecting of the excess milk and to protect those painful nipples. The shell itself is dome shaped and has to create the sense of a normal breast. But I wouldn't wear these out in public. They stand out and look funny when I insert them in my bra. They are supposed to look natural, but for me, there is nothing natural to the shape of these shells once inserted in your bra. If you need to wear them to work or something (saving every drop of milk), I suggest wearing a padded bra over them.

This was money well spent for me. They are a bit expensive but it's worth it. They are easy to clean (with warm, soapy water) and easy to sterilize. They can be sterilized in an electric, electronic or microwave steam sterilizer or by boiling them for 5 minutes. Even the silicone cushions are safe to sterilize like this. Whether you are a new mommy just starting your nursing journey and dread those sore nipple, or if you have been nursing and pumping for a while and want to save the excess milk, the Avent 2-in-1 Breast Shells are definitely a product to consider. There's a reason for the saying: "There's no use in crying over spilled milk...unless you are a breastfeeding or pumping mom!" and these "milk-saver" breast shells definitely helped me.