Product Review: Silver Nursing Cups

Breastfeeding is free, and technically, you only need proper nutrition and hydration to succeed. While this is true and a fact of evolution, modern technology has created quite the “breastfeeding market.” There are countless products to support everything from pumping, to milk production, to positioning, plus whole lines of clothing for nursing mothers. While this is amazing and gives modern women many options and resources, it can be confusing and seemingly expensive to navigate! 

Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to offer product reviews. These are all products that I used during my nursing journeys or that I regularly recommend to friends, family, and clients. Generally, I will not recommend a specific brand, but present a type of product and the evidence behind its use. I have no affiliations and receive no kick-backs from any products I review at this time, but will always be honest if endorsements or affiliations do arise. 

Up first are silver nursing cups (most commonly known as silverettes)! I am digging into the treasure chest of nipple care for this one. These little silver discs manage, prevent, or heal nipple damage. I give them a big thumbs up and rate them 4.5/5 stars. Here is their breakdown…

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Use: Silver nursing cups should be placed over nipples that have been damaged or used to prevent damage during frequent nursing periods, like the first weeks after birth or cluster feeding. They are held in place against the areola/breast by a bra or nursing tank and should be worn between feedings. 

Evidence: They are made of silver, which has natural antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, promoting wellness and healing in the nipples. They also allow for space around the nipples, for air circulation, and guard against additional friction from clothing. A few drops of breastmilk can be applied before for some extra healing.

Pros: Silver nursing cups are easy to use and care for or clean (just wash with warm soapy water and dry). They are completely natural and in no way affect the baby or milk composition. They are effective for most women and can be used with additional products or methods to treat nipple damage. 

Cons: Being made from pure silver, they can have a higher cost. There are some cheaper alternative brands but make sure you are actually getting silver. Also they can be reused when nursing later siblings, which could help combat the cost. Unfortunately, they come in limited sizes, so they are not perfectly comfortable for everyone’s anatomy. Finally, if you have a silver or metal allergy, these would not be ideal. 

Where to Purchase: Most places that sell breastfeeding products or baby supplies will have them. Since there’s no need to try on or test in-person, it’s also easy to order online, either directly from the brand website or from an online marketplace, like Amazon. 

Though not as commonly used as nipple balm, these silver discs can be game changers, especially in the early days of nursing. They are also great to hold onto in case nipple damage occurs later on from pump use, cluster feeding, or some experimenting with biting! Not every nursing mother will need silver cups. Some can get by with just nipple balm or dodge nipple irritation altogether. So if you are prioritizing different nursing products to fit your budget, they should go in the “want’ category, as opposed to the “need” category. They are a great item to request on your registry and readily available if you find yourself in need down the road in your nursing journey. 

If you have further questions about nipple care or damage, check out the other info through our blog or reach out for help. You’ve got this, modern mama!