Patent ID: 8770202

Claim:
A nipple protection device for a breast-feeding mother which comprises a nipple portion of oval cross-section with a first, shorter extension in direction of a first cross-sectional axis and a second, longer extension in direction of a second cross-sectional axis, the nipple portion projecting upwardly from a shield flange portion, the shield flange portion having a concavely arched surface which is intended to be put over an areola, the nipple portion substantially corresponding to and being adapted to surround the shape of a nipple for adaptation of the nipple portion to the nipple, the nipple portion being provided with at least one drinking opening at its front side, wherein the at least one drinking opening has an unobstructed through hole and is formed by at least one longitudinal slit such that the at least one drinking opening is partially defined by two straight edges being arranged distant and parallel to each other, wherein the at least one longitudinal slit has a length of from 4 mm to 8 mm, wherein the at least one drinking opening extends in direction of the first cross-sectional axis and transversely to the second cross-sectional axis of the nipple portion of oval cross section, wherein the at least longitudinal slit is configured to be positioned over a front or end of the nipple and is configured to, during sucking, pass milk there through without impediment while the front or end of the nipple remains positioned under the at least one longitudinal slit, wherein as a result of the at least one drinking opening extending transversely to the second cross-sectional axis the at least one drinking opening is configured to automatically widen to an extent desired as soon as the nipple portion of oval cross-section is pressed together by an infant's sucking movement.