FAQ
GENERAL FAQ
Breastfeeding can come with challenges, especially in the early stages. We recommend consulting your medical practitioner or lactation consultant as you prepare for your breastfeeding journey, and seeking professional advice if you have any concerns about breast or nipple health.
Silverette® is designed to support mums by creating an environment that helps soothe, protect, and promote healing of sore, cracked, and painful nipples.
Common breastfeeding issues include:
Nipple wear and tear
Soreness, sensitivity, dryness, and cracking can occur from breastfeeding or expressing. Silverette® works best when used on its own, without creams or lotions, as these can create a barrier between the skin and the 925 sterling silver and reduce effectiveness.
Nipple thrush
Silverette®’s 925 sterling silver has natural antifungal properties and may be used alongside prescribed treatments that support recovery. Always consult your medical practitioner if you suspect thrush.
Mastitis
Silverette®’s 925 sterling silver has natural anti-inflammatory properties and can be used alongside treatments recommended by your healthcare professional. Seek medical advice if you experience symptoms of mastitis.
Milk blebs
Silverette® may help create a soothing environment that supports healing due to the natural anti-inflammatory properties of 925 sterling silver. If milk blebs persist or cause concern, consult your medical practitioner.
Silverette® nursing cups are worn over the nipples between feeds to help protect sensitive or damaged skin during breastfeeding. Made from 925 sterling silver, they form a protective shield that reduces friction from clothing and nursing pads, helping prevent further irritation while the skin recovers.
When a few drops of breastmilk are placed inside the cup, contact between the moist skin and the silver surface allows silver ions to be released. Silver has been used in medical and wound-care settings for many years due to these naturally occurring antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The release of silver ions helps limit the growth of bacteria and fungi on the skin’s surface, supporting the skin’s natural healing process.
Silverette® creates a stable, moist environment that supports skin repair rather than simply coating the surface. This protected environment allows nipple tissue to recover between feeds while remaining shielded from repeated friction and irritation.
Unlike creams or lotions, which sit on the skin and act as a surface barrier, Silverette® works through continuous contact between the skin, breastmilk, and the silver surface. This approach supports natural recovery without creating a layer that can interfere with the healing environment. For best results, Silverette® should be used on clean skin without creams or ointments.
Silverette® can be used during pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding journey as a preventative measure. They are designed to be worn between nursing or pumping sessions and are most beneficial when used consistently.
Many mums choose to start using Silverette® as soon as breastfeeding begins, especially in the early days, and continue wearing them until feeding is well established and comfortable, with no pain or nipple damage. Silverette® can also be used postnatally to help soothe sensitive or damaged nipples caused by breastfeeding or expressing.
Silverette® cups are worn between feeds, directly over the nipples, and held in place by your nursing bra. They can also be worn with absorbent breast pads—simply place the pad over the cups and your bra will keep everything secure.
- After feeding or pumping, express a few drops of breastmilk into each cup and place the cups directly over your nipples. Secure them with your nursing bra.
- Before the next feed, remove the cups and gently clean your nipples with warm water or a water wipe. After feeding, rinse the cups with warm water, pat dry, and repeat the process between feeds.
For more detailed guidance, visit Using Your Silverette® Cups.
Mums often turn to Silverette® when nipple creams don’t provide lasting relief or simply cover discomfort without supporting healing. Unlike creams that can rub off or need constant reapplication, Silverette® works naturally using the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of pure 925 sterling silver to soothe, protect, and support healing between feeds—without additional products.
As the original and most trusted silver nursing cup, Silverette® is chosen for its quality, safety, and proven effectiveness.
Silverette® nursing cups come in two sizes: Regular and XL. Both sizes work exactly the same—the difference is comfort, not effectiveness. The cup diameter changes between sizes, while the height (the space between the nipple and the cup) is the same.
Since its release in 2020, feedback from mums worldwide shows that XL has become the “size-that-fits-most.” If you’re between sizes or unsure, we recommend choosing XL. Breasts typically grow during pregnancy and again when milk comes in, which is when the cups are used most.
If you’re buying Silverette® as a gift or aren’t sure which size to choose, XL is the safest option and comfortably suits most breast and areola sizes.
Need help? Refer to our size guide or contact our team who are happy to guide you and recommend the best fit.
925 silver, also known as sterling silver, is the highest purity of solid silver that can be safely shaped and used for durable products. While purer silver (999–1000) exists, it is too soft for moulding and is often used only as plating rather than solid silver.
Sterling silver is made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper, which provides the strength needed to form Silverette®’s anatomical shape. Silverette® cups are nickel-free and safe for both mum and baby.
999 Silver (Pure Silver)
- 99.9% pure silver
- Very soft and easily bent
- Prone to losing shape with regular wear
- Less suitable for products worn under pressure (such as inside a bra)
925 Silver (Sterling Silver)
- 92.5% pure silver
- Stronger and more resistant to bending
- Holds its shape during daily wear
- More comfortable and practical for repeated use
While 999 silver is purer, its softness makes it less suitable for functional products like nursing cups. 925 sterling silver offers the ideal balance of purity and strength for a product that needs to sit securely and comfortably on the breast.
Why Silverette® uses 925 silver?
Silverette® nursing cups are designed to be worn between feeds, often for extended periods and over many months. Using 925 sterling silver provides the strength and durability needed for daily use, helping the cups maintain their shape and comfort over time.
This durability means Silverette® cups are made to last — often through multiple stages of breastfeeding and even from baby to baby. By choosing 925 sterling silver, Silverette® ensures the cups remain smooth, comfortable, and effective throughout repeated use, while still offering silver’s natural protective properties.
Silverette® nursing cups are made from solid 925 sterling silver, meaning the entire cup is silver all the way through — not coated or plated.
Some lower-cost alternatives are made from base metals that are silver-plated, where only a thin layer of silver is applied to the surface.
What is silver plating?
Silver plating is a process where a very thin layer of silver is applied over another metal, such as brass or copper. Over time and with regular wear, this coating can wear away, exposing the underlying material.
Because plated products rely on a surface coating rather than solid silver, they may:
- Lose their silver layer with repeated use or cleaning
- Change in appearance over time
- Be less durable for long-term, repeated wear
Why Silverette® uses solid 925 sterling silver
Using solid 925 sterling silver ensures that Silverette® cups:
- Retain their silver composition throughout their entire lifespan
- Maintain their shape and finish with daily use
- Offer consistent quality and comfort over time
- Can be reused across extended breastfeeding journeys, often from baby to baby
This makes solid 925 sterling silver a more reliable and durable choice compared to silver-plated alternatives.
Product Compliance
The silver used to make Silverette® nursing cups is sourced through metal agents authorised and regulated by the Italian government. Every batch of silver is supplied with certification to ensure it meets strict quality and purity standards.
Tested by Breastfeeding Mothers
Clinically tested at the University Padua hospital for 2 years before it was made available to mothers and medical professionals.
Recommended by IBCLC
The product of choice for International Breastfeeding Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and health professionals when working with their clients who are experiencing challenges in their breastfeeding journey.
Conforms with European Health (CE)
Class I Medical Device - Regulation 745/2017 and Law 5 February '34 and subsequent mod and integration on the double hallmark of silver.
Conforms with Australian Health (TGA)
Registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) number 236106.
Biocompatibility Testing
Cleared ISO 10993-10 SKIN IRRITABILITY. Silverette ® didn’t give any irritation accordingly to the test. The test conducted by an FDA accredited lab.
Documented in Medical Journal
Featured in Breastfeeding Medicine: BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE, Volume 10, Number 5, 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2014.0177.
Regulated Procurement Process
To make Silverette ® the silver used can only be acquired through metals agents authorised and controlled by the Italian government. Every batch of silver purchased for manufacturing comes with certification.
Silverette® is made from certified 925 sterling silver sourced through authorised and regulated Italian metal suppliers, with documentation confirming purity and safety. This strict sourcing and manufacturing process ensures Silverette® nursing cups are lead-free, nickel-free, and safe for both mum and baby.
Independent testing of some other brands of “silver” nipple cups on the market has shown that certain products are not made from 925 silver, instead containing a low percentage of silver, while others have been found to contain lead levels that abundantly exceed acceptable safety limits. This highlights the importance of choosing nursing cups made from certified, high-purity silver manufactured to strict quality standards.
How to clean my Silverette® cups
Over time, your Silverette® cups may develop a brass or yellow tint due to natural oxidisation. This happens because the copper in sterling silver reacts with oxygen, sulfur, and moisture in the air. Tarnishing is completely normal, does not affect effectiveness, and confirms the cups are made from genuine 925 sterling silver.
To remove tarnish, you can purchase our Silverette Cleaning Kit to make a paste using one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of water. Gently rub the paste over the cups, rinse thoroughly with warm water, and pat dry. Your cups will be clean, polished, and ready to use again.
For everyday care, simply rinse your Silverette® cups with warm water and pat dry. This is usually all that’s needed to keep them clean between uses.
Avoid harsh soaps or chemicals, as these are unnecessary and may affect the silver’s surface.
After breastfeeding or pumping, rinse the cups with warm water, pat dry, and reuse them between sessions. If you prefer, you can gently rinse your nipples before the next feed. Keeping both the cups and skin clean helps maintain comfort and hygiene during regular use.