Lactation Consultants on How Silverettes Can Help (or Hurt) Your Breastfeeding Journey

The early days of breastfeeding can be a pain—literally. Whether baby has trouble latching or your nipples are cracked, nursing has many unique challenges. One popular way to ease pain and soreness is with Silverettes, which are little reusable cups made of antimicrobial silver meant to be worn between feeds.

“They worked like magic,” shares Knottie30597254, a community member on The Bump. “I’m giving them to all of my pregnant friends as a baby shower gift.”

But some lactation consultants say Silverette nursing cups aren’t exactly a silver bullet—and that if you have ongoing issues with breastfeeding, there’s no replacement for consulting a professional. “Silverettes can be a comfort tool for some breastfeeding parents, especially if nipples feel irritated from friction against clothing,” says Julie Matheney, IBCLC, owner of LA Lactation in Los Angeles. “[But] they don’t address the most common causes of nipple pain, like latch, positioning or oral function issues.”

Thinking of trying Silverettes? Read about the pros and cons, plus how to use (and how to clean) Silverettes, ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Silverettes can offer short-term relief for sore or cracked nipples. Their antimicrobial silver and protective shape may help ease discomfort early on.
• Most lactation consultants don’t recommend relying on Silverettes long-term. Ongoing nipple pain is usually caused by issues like a poor latch or pump fit—problems the cups won’t fix.
• If nipple pain lasts more than a few days, expert help matters more than any product. A lactation consultant can address the root cause and help prevent complications like infection or mastitis.

What Are Silverette Nursing Cups?

Silverette nursing cups are small, reusable cups made of sterling, antimicrobial silver that are meant to sit on your nipples when you’re not breastfeeding. Some breastfeeding moms use them to soothe nipple soreness and irritation in-between nursing or pumping sessions.

How do Silverettes work?

Silver contains antimicrobial properties, which may help skin wounds—including cracked or damaged nipples—heal by keeping germs at bay and curbing inflammation. The cup-like shape of Silverettes can also act like a physical barrier, reducing painful friction between your nipples and bra or shirt, explains Matheney.

While some moms love them, there’s not a ton of non-anecdotal evidence to back up these claims. “We do have some data that they can help with nipple healing, but it’s not as robust as I’d like,” says Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC, an OB hospitalist, lactation consultant and author of The Birth Book: An OB-GYN’s Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery.

While silver has been shown to aid in wound healing, the research on Silverettes specifically is limited to a single randomized clinical trial of 40 women, which showed that the cups were more effective at promoting healing and reducing cracked nipple pain after seven days compared to those who used a standard treatment.

Are Silverettes Recommended for Breastfeeding Moms?

While many women swear by Silverettes, most lactation consultants are on the fence. “Some patients report that Silverettes feel comforting, especially in the early days when nipples are tender and rubbing from clothing is uncomfortable,” Matheney says, adding that “they tend to work better as a short-term comfort measure, not a long-term fix.”

The downside? Ongoing cracked or sore nipples are almost always caused by mechanical issues—think a poor latch or problems with your breast pump. While Silverette nursing cups might offer some temporary relief, they don’t address the underlying problem that’s making you uncomfortable in the first place, experts explain.

Moreover, continuing to rely on Silverettes to manage your pain without addressing the root cause can set the stage for more problems. “I’ve also seen situations where Silverettes delayed care by giving a false sense that pain would resolve on its own. In those cases, ongoing latch or oral function issues continued to cause damage,” Matheney says. Cracks that don’t heal can end up getting infected and lead to mastitis, for example.

“They’re not harmful for most people, but they’re also not essential or universally effective,” says Matheney.

Potential Benefits of Silverettes

Proponents of Silverettes say that the cups can:

• Reduce nipple soreness
• Help cracked nipples heal
• Act as a physical barrier between your nipples and bra or shirt
• Prevent new soreness or cracks

Potential Drawbacks of Silverettes

Silverettes also have some downsides, including:

• Backed by very limited evidence
• Don’t address the underlying cause of nipple soreness or cracks, according to experts
• Can potentially cause irritation or fungal growth if worn for too long
• On the expensive side

How to Use Silverettes

If you’d like to give Silverette nursing cups a try, “there’s no evidence of harm with daily use,” Lincoln says. Just be sure to reach out to a lactation consultant if your soreness or cracks aren’t easing up within a couple of days. They can help you sort through any underlying issues that are causing the discomfort and work through possible solutions, like adjusting your feeding position.

Here’s how to use Silverettes: Place the cups on your clean, dry nipples for a few hours at a time, in-between feeds. Wearing a supportive (but not too tight) bra can help keep them in place.

“They don’t need to be worn 24/7. Many prefer using them only when nipples feel sensitive or when clothing friction is an issue,” Matheney says. After you take the Silverettes off, expose your nipples to air for a few minutes to get rid of any excess moisture that might have built up.

You shouldn’t use Silverettes with any nipple balms, creams or pastes. These products could potentially trap moisture around your nipples, which can encourage fungal growth, Matheney warns. Creams also prevent your skin from having direct contact with the silver, so you’re not getting the potential antimicrobial benefits.

Stop wearing your Silverettes if they cause pressure, discomfort, redness, soreness, swelling or worsening pain. “They’re meant to protect, not compress,” Matheney says. You should also take the Silverettes off if your skin is showing any signs of a possible allergic reaction to the metal—like itching, tenderness, burning, stinging, redness, swelling, blisters or hives.

How to Clean Silverettes

If you’re wondering how to clean Silverettes, it’s pretty straightforward:

• Rinse your Silverettes with lukewarm water after each use and give them a quick wash with a mild, fragrance-free soap once per day.
• Let them air-dry completely before wearing them again to prevent moisture from building up around your nipples, Lincoln recommends.
• Avoid using harsh cleaners or chemicals on the Silverettes, which can damage the metal.

It’s normal for Silverettes to tarnish over time. According to the manufacturer, the tarnish doesn’t make the cups less effective or safe. But if you want to get the shine back, rub the cups with a paste made from 1 teaspoon baking soda and a few drops of water. Then rinse and let them air-dry, Matheney recommends.

To Sum It Up

Silverettes can help you feel more comfortable when you’re dealing with sore and achy nipples. However, using them long-term could mask an underlying feeding problem. So use them for quick relief if you’d like, but if you continue to run into problems, make sure to reach out to a lactation consultant.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.