How to Use Silver Nursing Cups: A Mom's Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

How to Use Silver Nursing Cups: A Mom's Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

By Eda Ulger, Co-founder and Editor of Moogco Baby, mom of two · Updated October 2026

Moogco makes silver nursing cups in 999 fine and 925 sterling silver. We are moms who wore them too.

It is day four. Baby is finally asleep on your chest, your nipples feel like sandpaper, and the little silver cups from your hospital bag are still in their box because nobody showed you what to do with them. Let us fix that. Using silver nursing cups takes about ten seconds once you know the steps.

The short answer

After each feed, dab a drop of breast milk on your nipple, place the silver cup over it, and hold it in place with a snug nursing bra. Take the cups off before the next feed, rinse them, and repeat. That is it.

Most moms call them "silverettes," the way we say a brand name for a whole kind of product. Silverettes, Moogco cups and other solid silver cups all work the same way, so these steps fit any of them.

Before the first use

  1. Wash the cups in warm water with a drop of mild, unscented soap.
  2. Rinse them well and dry them with a soft cloth.
  3. Check the fit. The rim should rest on your areola without pressing into it, and your nipple should not touch the top of the dome. If the edge digs in, you likely need a bigger size. Our sizing guide shows how to measure.

How to use silver nursing cups, step by step

  1. Feed your baby first. Silver cups go on between feeds, never during one.
  2. Dab a drop of milk. Express a drop or two of breast milk (or colostrum in the first days) and spread it over the sore spot. Milk and silver together keep the skin moist while it heals.
  3. Place the cup. Center the cup over your nipple so the rim sits on your areola.
  4. Hold it with your bra. A snug, soft nursing bra or sleep bra keeps the cup in place. It should feel secure, not tight.
  5. Wear it until the next feed. When baby is hungry again, lift the cup off. There is nothing to wipe away before the latch.
  6. Rinse and store. Rinse the cup in warm water, let it dry, and keep it in its case until next time.

"Put them on after every latch and your nipples that would be sore and cracked would be healed by the next latch. Savior when your baby is cluster feeding."

H. Remy, Moogco customer, 925 sterling cups

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How long and how often to wear them

Wear them between every feed while your nipples are sore. For most moms that means the first two to six weeks, then again for a few days whenever a growth spurt, a new tooth or a bad latch makes things tender. Consistency matters more than anything else.

"If I forget to put them in between feedings, I definitely notice a difference in how I feel/ soreness."

Laura R., Moogco customer

One honest warning that lactation consultants often share: skin needs a little air too. If your nipples look white, wrinkled or soggy, like fingers after a long bath, take the cups off for a few hours and let your skin breathe. That is called maceration, and it is your cue for a break.

Want more detail on timing? Read how long to wear silver nursing cups.

Leaks, nights and getting dressed

When your milk comes in

Silver cups catch drips, so they can fill and spill on leaky days. Lift them off and rinse them when they fill, and keep a breast pad nearby for the other side.

"Once my milk came in more, milk would spill everywhere. I found that milk catchers worked better for me."

Trish, verified buyer, 4 stars

At night

Many moms wear them overnight with a snug sleep bra. If a cup slips, it is usually because the bra is loose. Our sleeping in silver cups guide has more tips.

Under clothes

The cups protect sore skin from fabric, which many moms say is the biggest relief of all. They do show a little under a thin top, so a padded bra or a loose layer helps when you go out.

"No more sticking to clothing/bras and wincing when anything bumps into my chest."

J, verified buyer, 925 sterling cups

"Only downside is that they make your nipples look huge and weird even with a bra and padding so wearing them in public is awkward."

Morgan, Moogco customer

Does it actually work?

The best-known study is small, so here it is plainly. In 2015, doctors at Sassari University in Italy followed 40 breastfeeding moms with painful nipple fissures. Half wore a silver cap between feeds, half used standard nipple care, and every mom got help from a board-certified lactation consultant. By day 7 and day 15, pain eased faster in the silver group, they liked their treatment more, and nobody had a skin reaction. (Marrazzu et al., Breastfeeding Medicine, 2015) The study tested one Italian silver cap, not our cups or any other brand.

The rest of the evidence comes from moms. Our silver cups hold 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 5,000 verified buyer ratings, and nearly 300,000 have been sold. Here is what two of those moms said:

"I was 2 weeks postpartum when I was experiencing extreme pain, bleeding, and cracking. I was just about to give up... I noticed a difference in my first day using them!"

Morgan, Moogco customer

"Best purchase for a new nursing mama! ... If you use them consistently, you really can feel a difference."

Alyssa L., Moogco customer

For the science of why silver helps, read how silver nursing cups work, which an IBCLC reviewed.

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When to call for help instead

  • A fever, chills, or a hot red wedge on your breast (possible mastitis)
  • Shiny, itchy, pink nipples or white patches in baby's mouth (possible thrush)
  • Bleeding or cracks that get worse after a few days
  • Pain during the whole feed, every feed (often a latch or tongue tie issue)

Silver cups soothe and protect the skin. They do not fix a shallow latch or treat an infection, so an IBCLC or your doctor is the right next step for any of these.

Keeping them clean

A warm water rinse after each use and a mild soap wash once a day is all they need. Silver can darken over time, and that is normal. Our cleaning guide shows how to bring the shine back safely.

A little something from us

If you decide to try our silver cups, use code NURSE15 for 15% off. We hope your next feed hurts a little less.

See the silver cups

with love, The Moogco Mamas

Our silver cups

Moogco 999 Fine Silver Nursing Cups

Moogco 999 Fine Silver Nursing Cups

Solid 999 fine silver, the softest and purest option. One size.

$49.90 · See this cup

Moogco 925 Sterling Silver Nursing Cups

Moogco 925 Sterling Silver Nursing Cups

Solid 925 sterling silver in Regular (L) and X-Large.

from $47.90 · See this cup

The Original Silver Nursing Cups with Silicone Pads

The Original Silver Nursing Cups with Silicone Pads

925 sterling cups with soft silicone rims that help them stay put.

$62.90 · See this cup

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use Silverettes or other silver nursing cups?

After each feed, dab a drop of breast milk on your nipple, place the cup over it so the rim rests on your areola, and keep it in place with a snug nursing bra. Take the cups off before the next feed. You do not need to wipe anything off before baby latches.

Should I put breast milk in silver nursing cups?

A drop or two on your nipple is enough. Milk and silver together are what keep the skin moist while it heals. You do not need to fill the cup.

How long should you wear silver nursing cups each day?

Between feeds, for as long as your nipples are sore. Most moms wear them through the first few weeks and put them back on during growth spurts or after a bite. If your skin looks white, wrinkled or soggy, take them off and give your nipples some air for a few hours.

Can you wear silver nursing cups overnight?

Many moms do, with a snug sleep bra so the cups stay in place. Read our guide on sleeping in silver nursing cups for safety tips.

Can I use nipple cream with silver nursing cups?

Yes, many moms combine them, for example cream after one feed and silver cups the rest of the day. A thick layer of cream sits between the silver and your skin, so use only a thin layer. Our silver cups vs nipple cream guide explains more.

Do silver nursing cups leak?

They can once your milk comes in, because they catch drips. Empty and rinse them when they fill, or wear a breast pad on the other side. On very leaky days some moms switch to a milk catcher for a while.

When should I not use silver nursing cups?

Stop and call your doctor if you have a fever, a hot red area on your breast, shiny itchy pink nipples (possible thrush), or bleeding that gets worse. Silver cups soothe skin but do not treat infection or fix a shallow latch.

This guide shares what moms and one published study tell us. It is not medical advice. If feeds still hurt after a week, please see an IBCLC or your doctor.

About the Editor

Eda Ulger is a co-founder of Moogco Baby, the editor of the Moogco Baby Journal, and a mom of two. She curates and edits our guides so every piece is honest, practical, and genuinely helpful for the early days of motherhood.

LinkedIn | moogcobaby.com

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