Silverettes are small cups made from 925 sterling silver, designed to heal and protect sore, cracked, or damaged nipples during breastfeeding. You place them over your nipples between nursing sessions, where the silver works as both a physical barrier and an active healing agent. They’re one of the most popular alternatives to lanolin creams and other topical nipple treatments, and many lactation consultants recommend starting them from the very first feeding to prevent damage before it starts.
How Silverettes Help With Nipple Pain
The core problem Silverettes solve is nipple trauma from breastfeeding. Cracked, bleeding, and inflamed nipples are extremely common in the early weeks of nursing, usually caused by a baby’s improper latch. That damage gets worse when raw skin rubs against nursing pads and bra fabric between feedings. Silverettes address both sides of the issue: they create a protective dome that eliminates friction, and the silver itself promotes healing.
Silver has well-documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. When the metal comes into contact with moisture on your skin, it releases silver ions that fight bacteria and fungi while reducing swelling and soreness. This matters because cracked nipples are vulnerable to infection, including nipple thrush (a fungal infection) and, in more serious cases, mastitis. A clinical trial found that the group using silver nipple protectors experienced fewer instances of severe nipple trauma, showed higher rates of healing, and reported significantly lower pain levels by the fourth postpartum day compared to those who didn’t use them.
The cups also create a moist healing environment around the nipple, similar to how modern wound dressings work. This moist, low-oxygen environment speeds up skin repair. In one study of breastfeeding mothers using silver cups, about 63% of participants healed within 15 days, and among those who needed more time, roughly 72% had healed by day 30.
How They Compare to Lanolin and Breast Milk
The traditional approach to sore nipples involves applying lanolin cream, expressed breast milk, or hydrogel dressings to keep the skin moist and promote healing. These all work to some degree, but each has drawbacks. Lanolin can cause burning, itching, and occasionally fissure infections in some women. Expressed breast milk is safe but typically takes a long time to show visible results. Both also need to be reapplied frequently.
Silverettes offer a hands-off alternative. Once you place them, they stay put until your next feeding. There’s no cream to wash off before nursing, no reapplication, and no risk of chemical irritation. Clinical evaluations of silver caps have found no local or systemic reactions, and participants rated them as well tolerated and easy to use. The cups can also be used alongside prescribed treatments if you’re dealing with thrush or another infection.
How to Use Them
The process is simple. After each nursing session, express a couple of drops of breast milk into each cup, then place the cup directly over your nipple. The breast milk adds extra moisture and nutrients to the healing environment. Your nursing bra holds the cups in place, and you can layer an absorbent breast pad over the top if you’re concerned about leaking.
Before the next feeding, remove the cups and wipe your nipples with warm water or a water wipe. Rinse the cups themselves with warm water, pat them dry, and repeat the process. You wear them day and night, between every nursing session, until the pain or damage has resolved. Many women also wear them preventively from day one, before any damage occurs.
Sizing and Fit
Silverettes come in two sizes: Regular and XL. To choose, measure across the widest part of your areola. If it’s under 1.8 inches (4.5 cm), the Regular size fits. If your areola is 1.8 inches or larger, go with the XL. A proper fit means the cup sits comfortably over your nipple without pressing into surrounding tissue.
Material and Safety
Authentic Silverettes are made from 925 sterling silver with no nickel, coatings, or chemical additives. This is relevant if you have metal sensitivities, since nickel is the most common cause of contact dermatitis from jewelry. Sterling silver is generally well tolerated by sensitive skin.
A common concern is whether silver transfers to the baby during nursing. Clinical studies on silver nursing caps have reported no local or systemic reactions in either mothers or infants. Since you remove the cups and clean your nipples before each feeding, the baby never comes into direct contact with the silver surface.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Daily rinsing with warm water between feedings is usually enough. For a deeper clean, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two drops of water inside the cup to form a paste. Rub it over the entire surface with your hands, rinse thoroughly, and dry. Silver naturally tarnishes over time, which doesn’t affect performance, but if you notice stubborn dark spots, a gentle abrasive sponge can remove them. The cups are durable enough to last through multiple children if cared for properly.