SRC Silver Nursing Cups — Reusable Silver Shields for Use Between Feeds

Pure silver comes in two common grades. 999 silver is 99.9% pure ('fine silver') — softer, kinder to sensitive skin, and contains no copper. 925 silver is 92.5% pure ('sterling'), mixed with about 7.5% copper, which makes it more durable but more prone to tarnish and, occasionally, a reaction in people sensitive to copper.

SRC Silver Nursing Cups are made from 999 fine silver — the higher-purity grade used by the premium brands in this category, and the better choice for delicate, healing skin. If you have a copper or broader metal sensitivity, 999 fine silver is the grade you want; patch-testing a small area of forearm skin first is still a sensible precaution.

For most users without metal sensitivities, the practical difference between grades is small — both are safe against healing skin — but 999 gives you maximum purity and softness.

Honest answer: many breastfeeding parents say silver nursing cups made a real difference to nipple soreness in the first few weeks postpartum. The clinical evidence is limited but supportive of silver's role in skin and wound care, and the product category sells consistently well across multiple brands. They're not a substitute for fixing a latch issue, but as a between-feeds comfort tool they earn their place for a lot of people.

What the evidence supports:

- **Silver has well-established antimicrobial properties** in wound care. Hospital silver wound dressings are evidence-supported for slowing bacterial growth on damaged skin.
- **Several small clinical studies** on silver nursing cups specifically have suggested they help with nipple comfort during the early breastfeeding window, often compared with lanolin cream as an alternative.
- **The Cochrane review on nipple pain interventions** notes that the evidence on most interventions is small and mixed. Improving latch and addressing the underlying cause of pain remains the most evidence-supported approach.

What "worth it" depends on:

- **If you have severely cracked, bleeding nipples:** silver nursing cups can be a useful adjunct, but the priority is an IBCLC consult to fix the latch issue causing the damage. Cups alone won't solve the underlying problem.
- **If you have moderate soreness in the first 1–2 weeks postpartum:** many parents find the cups worth the $79 outlay, particularly because they're reusable across the entire breastfeeding window and any future babies.
- **If you've used lanolin or other nipple creams without much relief:** silver is a different approach. Many parents who didn't get on with creams find the cups more comfortable because there's no greasy residue and nothing to wipe off before a feed.
- **If your nipples are barely sore at all:** you probably don't need them.

The cups are reusable, which is the financial detail that matters. A single pair lasts indefinitely with proper care. Disposable hydrogel nipple pads and lanolin creams need replacing constantly across a full breastfeeding window, so the cost difference closes quickly.

If you're on the fence: keep them as an option rather than a first purchase. Hospital pumps + lanolin + a good IBCLC consult earn the first $200 of your spend. Silver cups earn the next $79 if soreness persists past week one.

After a feed, gently dry your nipple with a clean cloth, place a few drops of fresh breast milk on the nipple, then fit one cup over each nipple inside your bra. Wear them between feeds. Take them off before the next feed. That's the full routine.

Step-by-step:

1. **Finish the feed.** Burp baby, settle them.
2. **Express a few drops of fresh breast milk** onto each nipple. This serves two purposes: it provides additional skin protection (breast milk has its own antimicrobial properties) and it helps the silver sit comfortably against slightly moist skin rather than rubbing against dry tissue.
3. **Position the cup** so the nipple sits inside the dome and the wide rim makes contact with the surrounding areola. The cup shouldn't compress the nipple.
4. **Slip into a comfortable nursing bra** to hold the cups in place. The bra cup pressure keeps the silver dome snug against the skin without you having to think about it.
5. **Wear between feeds.** Most parents wear them most of the day in the first sore week and reduce frequency as soreness settles.
6. **Remove before the next feed.** Rinse the cup briefly under cool running water to remove any milk residue. Pat dry.
7. **Air-dry between uses.** Place on a clean tissue, soft cloth, or in the original silver-safe pouch.

A few practical notes that make a difference:

- **Don't use creams or lanolin under the cup.** It defeats the purpose of the silver sitting directly against the skin and makes the cup gunky.
- **Don't sleep with the cups on under tight clothing.** Side-sleeping with a hard object in your bra can cause discomfort or leave imprint marks. Many parents take them out at night and put them back in the morning.
- **Keep them in the pouch when not wearing.** Silver tarnishes when exposed to air for long periods, especially humid Australian summers. Sealed storage extends shine and life.
- **Use both, even if only one nipple is sore.** Asymmetric wear can affect bra fit and the unprotected nipple may end up rubbing more.

If you experience any sharp pain, increased irritation, or a rash from wearing the cups, take them off and check with your IBCLC or GP.

Most breastfeeding parents wear silver nursing cups during the day between feeds. That can mean 6 to 14 hours of cumulative wear time, broken up by feeding sessions. The cups themselves don't have a hard wear-time limit, but there are specific moments when you should always take them off.

**Always remove the cups:**

- **Before every feed.** Take both off, feed, then put them back on.
- **Before showering or bathing.** Soap and hot water damage silver over time.
- **Overnight if you're side-sleeping.** A hard silver dome against the skin for 8 hours of pressure isn't ideal.
- **Before exercising or sweating heavily.** Sweat speeds up tarnish and traps moisture against skin.
- **Before swimming.** Chlorine and salt water both react with silver.

**Wear-time rules of thumb:**

- **Day 1–7 postpartum (peak soreness for many parents):** in for most of the day, off for feeds, off at night. Some parents do wear them overnight on their back; check what works for your body.
- **Week 2–4:** wear when nipples feel sore, less often as soreness settles.
- **Beyond a month:** wear only when needed (during a thrush episode, after a latch incident, during pumping, etc.).

**When to stop using them entirely:**

- **When your nipples have settled** and feel comfortable through feeds and between feeds.
- **If the cups irritate the skin or cause a rash.** Stop and check with your GP or LC. Allergic reactions to silver are rare but possible.
- **If you suspect thrush.** Silver can be helpful, but thrush needs specific antifungal treatment. See your GP.
- **If the cups become tarnished and don't clean up** with the cleaning routine in Q6. Tarnished cups should be replaced or returned to a jeweller for re-polishing.

A specific note for pumping parents: take the cups out before pumping (they don't fit inside flange cups) and put them back in afterwards while the breast is recovering.

After each wear, rinse the cups under cool running water to remove milk residue, then pat dry with a clean soft cloth. Once a week, give them a deeper clean with mild soap and water, or use a non-abrasive silver polish if they've tarnished.

**Daily routine:**

1. **Rinse** with cool running water after each use. Avoid hot water as it can dull the silver.
2. **Pat dry** gently with a clean, soft cloth (microfibre or cotton).
3. **Air-dry** completely before storing.
4. **Store** in the original pouch, a small fabric bag, or somewhere clean and dry. Avoid sealed plastic bags long-term as they can trap moisture.

**Weekly deeper clean:**

1. **Wash with mild soap** (a fragrance-free baby soap works well) and warm. Not hot. Water.
2. **Rinse thoroughly** to remove all soap residue. Soap residue against a nipple can cause irritation.
3. **Dry completely** with a soft cloth before reusing.

**If the cups tarnish (black or grey discolouration):**

1. **Use a soft jewellery polishing cloth** (sold at most jewellery stores for $5–10). Gently rub the silver to restore shine.
2. **For heavier tarnish**, dissolve a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a cup of warm water, soak the cups for 5 minutes, then rinse and dry. Don't use silver polish products containing harsh chemicals. They're for jewellery, not skincare.
3. **Lemon juice and salt** is the gentlest household option for heavy tarnish, but rinse very thoroughly afterwards.

**Never do:**

- **Don't use steel wool, scouring pads, or abrasive cleaners.** These scratch the silver and create rough surfaces that can trap milk residue.
- **Don't put them in the dishwasher.** Detergent, heat and water pressure damage silver.
- **Don't boil them** for sterilisation. Silver can be damaged by high heat over time.
- **Don't use bleach** under any circumstances.
- **Don't use silver polish liquids** sold for jewellery cleaning unless they explicitly say "safe for skin contact". Most aren't.

If you're not sure whether the cups have been cleaned thoroughly, the rule of thumb is: if you wouldn't want to drink milk from them, they need another clean before going back in your bra.

SRC Silver Nursing Cups come in two sizes. Regular fits if your areola is 4.5 cm in diameter or smaller AND your bra cup size is C or smaller. Large fits if your areola is bigger than 4.5 cm OR your bra cup size is C or larger. The size guidance combines both measurements because some people have larger areolas with smaller bra sizes and vice versa.

**How to measure your areola:**

1. Stand in front of a mirror with a soft tape measure.
2. Measure across the centre of your areola at its widest point.
3. Don't worry if the two sides aren't identical (most aren't). Use the larger of the two measurements.

**Size guidance:**

- **Regular:** areola ≤4.5 cm AND cup C or smaller.
- **Large:** areola >4.5 cm OR cup C or larger.

**If you're between sizes:** size up rather than down. A cup that's slightly too large still covers the nipple and rim. A cup that's too small can put pressure on the areola, which isn't comfortable on already-sore skin.

**Note for size during pregnancy and postpartum:**

- **Breasts change size through pregnancy and the early postpartum window.** A bra cup size taken at 30 weeks may not match your size at 6 weeks postpartum.
- **Engorgement (around days 3–5 postpartum)** temporarily increases breast and areola size. Don't size up based on engorged measurements. That's a temporary state.
- **After supply settles (around 3 months)**, your true breastfeeding size emerges. The cups should fit comfortably at that point.
- **Pregnant parents buying ahead of birth:** order Large if your pre-pregnancy size was a B or C cup. You'll usually grow into it.

**If the size is wrong:**

- **Too small** is uncomfortable and risks pressure on the areola. Stop wearing them and ask Blossom about exchange.
- **Too large** still works for most users; the cup just covers a wider area.

Different brands of silver nursing cups have different sizing systems. Silverettes uses XS/S/M/L; Lactivate uses Small/Large; SRC uses Regular/Large. The actual cup diameters differ slightly between brands, so if you've worn one brand and are switching, measure again rather than guessing.

Yes, silver nursing cups are widely considered safe to wear while breastfeeding when used as directed. The cups don't come in contact with baby (you take them off before each feed), the silver is medical-grade pure silver, and the small amount of silver that contacts the skin sits well within established safety thresholds.

**Specific safety details worth knowing:**

- **Take them off before every feed.** This is the most important safety rule. The cups aren't designed for baby to contact directly.
- **The silver itself is safe on skin.** Pure silver (999) and sterling silver (925) are both used widely in jewellery, wound care and medical devices. The amount of silver that transfers from cup to skin is minimal.
- **There's no evidence that silver from nursing cups affects breast milk** in any meaningful way. The cups sit on the outside of the breast, and any trace silver that does transfer is well within safe levels.
- **They're not appropriate for everyone.** People with silver allergies, copper allergies (if the cups are 925 sterling), or active fungal/bacterial nipple infections should check with their GP or IBCLC before use.

**Less-discussed safety considerations:**

- **Skin tone changes.** Silver can leave a temporary grey-blue mark on skin if worn for very long stretches against damp areas. This is a cosmetic effect, not a sign of damage, and it fades within hours of removing the cups.
- **Thrush.** If you have an active thrush infection, the warm-moist environment under a cup may not help. Silver has antifungal properties but isn't a treatment for thrush. See your GP for proper antifungal treatment.
- **Allergic contact dermatitis.** Rare but possible. If you develop a rash where the cup contacts skin, stop wearing them and consult your GP.
- **Existing nipple piercings.** Talk to your IBCLC or piercer first. Silver cups against fresh or healing piercings need specific care.
- **Hospital-grade silver wound dressings are a separate product.** If you have severe damage that's not healing, see your GP. Silver cups aren't the right product for actual wound care.

For most breastfeeding parents with sore but otherwise intact skin, silver nursing cups are a low-risk addition to the postpartum kit.

Silverettes is the dominant brand in this category (the "Kleenex" of silver nursing cups), with the longest market presence and the largest body of customer reviews. SRC, Lactivate and Go Mommy are the main Australian competitors at a similar price point. The differences come down to silver grade, sizing, design and price.

**A like-for-like comparison:**

- **Silverettes** ($85–$120 in Australia depending on the retailer). 999 fine silver. Italian-made. Four sizes (XS, S, M, L). The most well-known and most clinical-research-cited brand.
- **SRC Silver Nursing Cups** ($79). 999 fine silver. Two sizes (Regular, Large). Australian brand with European-quality positioning.
- **Lactivate Silver Nursing Cups** (~$70–$85). 999 fine silver. Australian brand. Two sizes (Small, Large). Often sold alongside Lactivate's other postpartum products in pharmacies.
- **Go Mommy Silver Nursing Cups** ($40–$60). 925 sterling silver. Generic-style packaging. The budget option.
- **Amazon generic silver cups** ($15–$35). Mixed silver grades, often unverified. Quality varies wildly — the cheapest option but with the most variable customer experience.

**A practical decision framework:**

- **If you want the most-researched product:** Silverettes.
- **If you want an Australian brand at a good price:** SRC or Lactivate.
- **If you have a copper allergy or want fine silver specifically:** SRC, Silverettes and Lactivate are all 999 fine silver.
- **If you're on a tight budget:** Lactivate at the lower end, or one of the well-reviewed Amazon options.
- **If you need broader size options** (XS, M, plus-size): Silverettes has the widest range.

**Where SRC sits:**

- The price is competitive against Lactivate and below Silverettes.
- The sizing is simpler (Regular/Large) than Silverettes' four-size system — fine for most users, with less precision.
- The branding leans towards SRC's broader postpartum range (compression garments and the like), which appeals to parents already buying into the SRC ecosystem.

The honest framing: all four named brands are well-tolerated by most users. Silver is silver, and the differences between properly manufactured cups are smaller than the price tags suggest.

Most breastfeeding parents start using silver nursing cups in the first 1–2 weeks postpartum, when nipples are at their most sensitive and the breastfeeding routine is still being established. Some packing them in the hospital bag to use from day 1; others wait until they notice soreness. Most stop using them daily by the 6–12 week mark, though some keep them for occasional use through the entire breastfeeding window.

**Phase-by-phase guidance:**

- **Hospital bag (pre-birth):** worth including, especially if it's your first baby. Sore nipples in week one are common and the cups are easier to start using when you have them on hand.
- **Day 1–7 postpartum:** peak soreness for many parents. Wear most of the day between feeds. Take off for feeds. Off at night if side-sleeping.
- **Week 2–4:** soreness usually starts settling. Reduce wear time as you feel better. Keep them in rotation but not necessarily worn full-time.
- **Month 2 onwards:** use only when needed. Maybe during a thrush episode, after a tough feed, during cluster feeds when there's a lot of sucking activity.
- **From 3 months:** many parents have stopped using them daily. Keep them clean and stored for emergency soreness episodes.

**Specific moments when cup use makes sense later in the breastfeeding window:**

- **A latch issue while baby's teeth are coming in** (around 6 months).
- **Pumping more intensively** for a work return or absence.
- **A bout of thrush** (alongside antifungal treatment from your GP).
- **Mastitis recovery** when the affected nipple is sensitive after the episode.
- **Weaning**, when reduced feeding can cause sensitivity changes.

**When to stop using them entirely:**

- **When you've weaned** and the breastfeeding chapter is closed. The cups themselves don't need to be discarded. They can be stored away for a future baby, gifted to another breastfeeding parent, or simply kept as a small piece of fine silver.
- **If they don't feel like they're helping** after a couple of weeks of consistent use. Some parents try them and notice no difference. That's fine; not every comfort tool suits every person.
- **If you develop an allergy or rash** where the cups contact skin.
- **If the cups become heavily tarnished** and can't be restored. At that point, replace rather than continue using a dulled pair.

A 2-pack of well-cared-for silver nursing cups lasts effectively forever. You can use them across multiple babies. That's part of what makes the $79 cost rational over time.

Silver nursing cups work best on their own against the skin. They generally shouldn't be used at the same time as lanolin or nipple creams (which defeat the purpose of silver-on-skin contact). They can be combined with breast pads (worn over the cup, between cup and bra). They aren't the same thing as nipple shields used during feeds.

**Silver nursing cups + lanolin or nipple cream:**

- **Generally not at the same time.** The cups and lanolin do similar jobs (skin protection between feeds), and using both creates a greasy interface between cup and skin that traps milk residue and reduces both products' effectiveness.
- **Some parents alternate.** Lanolin between feeds during the day, cups overnight or vice versa. Whatever rhythm suits.
- **If you use lanolin, wipe it off before putting on the cup.** Or simply use one tool, not both.

**Silver nursing cups + breast pads:**

- **Yes, you can wear them at the same time.** The cup sits against the nipple, and a soft cotton or bamboo breast pad sits between the cup and the bra to absorb any leaks.
- **The cup itself catches a small amount of milk** that pools at the rim. Without a pad behind it, that milk can leak into the bra. With a pad, the bra stays dry.
- **The Bubba Bump Organic Bamboo Reusable Breast Pads** (also stocked at Blossom) work well alongside the SRC cups for this reason.

**Silver nursing cups vs nipple shields used during feeds:**

- **Different products.** Nipple shields are thin silicone covers worn over the nipple during feeding, used when latch is shallow or the nipple is too damaged to feed without protection.
- **Silver nursing cups are for between feeds.** They come off before each feed.
- **Some parents use both:** a silicone nipple shield during the feed to protect a cracked nipple while it's being suckled, then a silver cup between feeds to protect the same nipple while it recovers between feeds.

**Silver nursing cups + breast ice/heat packs:**

- **Don't wear them at the same time.** Cold and heat against silver doesn't damage the metal but the layering becomes uncomfortable in the bra.
- **Alternate.** Many parents use ice packs immediately after a feed for engorgement comfort, then switch to silver cups between feeds once the breast feels less full.

**Silver nursing cups during a thrush episode:**

- **Discuss with your GP first.** Silver has antifungal properties, but the warm-moist environment under a cup can also support fungal growth in some cases. Your treating clinician will know whether to pause cup use during antifungal treatment.

Silver nursing cups suit most breastfeeding parents with mild-to-moderate nipple soreness, but they aren't right for everyone. If they don't help, or they cause irritation, there are several other approaches worth knowing about. Including some that should come before any product purchase at all.

**The first move, always: get a latch assessment.**

A latch issue is the underlying cause of most nipple pain. An IBCLC consult will spot in 20 minutes what weeks of cups, creams or shields won't solve. If you have ongoing nipple pain past the first week postpartum:

- **Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ)** searchable directory at lcanz.org for private IBCLCs.
- **Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline:** 1800 686 268.
- **Your maternal child health nurse** for a basic feeding assessment.
- **Many hospitals** have lactation services for patients who delivered there.

**Other product alternatives for sore nipples:**

- **Lanolin cream** (Lansinoh is the classic). A gentle barrier cream that goes on the nipple between feeds. Doesn't need to be wiped off before feeding. Inexpensive, well-tolerated by most parents.
- **Olive & Bee Intimate Cream** or similar natural balms. Olive oil and beeswax-based creams from Blossom and other Australian skincare brands. Safe for nipple use.
- **Hydrogel pads** (Lansinoh Soothies are well-known). Cooling, soothing, single-use gel pads worn between feeds. Use each pad for 24 hours then discard.
- **Breast milk itself.** Expressing a few drops onto the nipple after each feed and air-drying is a free, evidence-supported skin-care routine.
- **Silicone nipple shields during feeds** if the nipple is too damaged to feed comfortably. Get an IBCLC's guidance on these. They need correct sizing and weaning off as the nipple heals.
- **Saline rinses.** Some IBCLCs recommend warm saline rinses on raw nipples to reduce surface bacteria.
- **Specific positioning changes.** Side-lying, laid-back biological nurturing, football hold. Sometimes just changing position reduces the friction that's causing the pain.

**When sore nipples are not just sore nipples:**

- **Persistent pain past the first 1–2 weeks** with no obvious cause: book an IBCLC.
- **Sharp, shooting pain during or after feeds**: could be thrush, vasospasm, or a tongue tie. See your GP and an IBCLC.
- **White, flaky patches on the nipple**: classic thrush sign. Antifungal treatment needed.
- **Bleeding, deep cracks, or fissures**: needs urgent IBCLC and possibly GP assessment.

The honest framing: silver nursing cups are one comfort tool in a broader toolkit. They suit many parents, especially in the early weeks. If they don't help, the gap is almost never "wrong product". It's usually "underlying latch issue", and that's where a lactation consultant is irreplaceable.