A milking inflation formed of a food grade approved thermoplastics material of a Shore A hardness of between about 60 to 90, the inflation (7) having a region (8) adapted to, in use, engage with the teat of an animal, this teat engagement portion (8) having a reduced wall thickness (12) to provide flexibility. A method of forming a milking inflation whereby the inflation is moulded in a mould (1, 2) which has a core (3) in a mould cavity (4). The moulded inflation (7) is separated from the core (3) by introducing air between the core (3) and inflation (7) to inflate the inflation and enable separation of the inflation from the core. A method of monitoring the age of an inflation by monitoring change in the colour of the inflation to determine ageing of the inflation.
