{"product_id":"silver-nursing-cups-for-sore-nipples-koala-babycare","title":"Silver Nursing Cups for Sore Nipples – Koala Babycare","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver nursing cups\u003c\/strong\u003e are worn between feeds, not during them. You put a drop of breast milk inside each cup, place them over your nipples and put your bra back on. They keep the nipple in a moist environment and stop it rubbing against fabric, which is the part that makes cracked skin worse through the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThese are Koala Babycare's, and the construction is worth understanding before you buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are \u003cstrong\u003etri-laminate\u003c\/strong\u003e: two outer layers of silver over an \u003cstrong\u003einner copper core\u003c\/strong\u003e. Only silver touches your skin. That is not the same as a solid fine-silver cup, and if you were shopping specifically for solid 999 silver, this is the difference to know about. What you get in exchange is a cup at roughly half the price of the Italian originals, from the range with by far the most feedback behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are \u003cstrong\u003enot perforated\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is deliberate — the brand's reasoning is that retaining moisture supports the release of silver ions. They are odourless and do not alter the taste or smell of your milk, which matters because anything that changes how you smell can put a baby off the latch. They come with a storage pouch, and they are reusable across the whole feeding period and any babies after this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the evidence support them?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore than nipple creams have, and less than the marketing suggests.\u003c\/strong\u003e There is one small randomised trial — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/277086616_Evaluation_of_the_Effectiveness_of_a_Silver-Impregnated_Medical_Cap_for_Topical_Treatment_of_Nipple_Fissure_of_Breastfeeding_Mothers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMarrazzu and colleagues, 2015, 40 women\u003c\/a\u003e — which found faster improvement in pain and fissures at days 7 and 15 against standard care. That is a genuine finding, and it is forty people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet against it: a \u003cstrong\u003e2018 systematic review concluded that no single topical or mechanical treatment has strong evidence\u003c\/strong\u003e for nipple pain, and that correct latch and positioning remain the most effective approach. And in survey data, around \u003cstrong\u003e90% of mothers felt the cups helped\u003c\/strong\u003e while measured fissure rates showed no significant difference between users and non-users. Both of those things can be true at once. Comfort is real even when healing is not measurably faster, and comfort is a legitimate reason to buy something at 3am.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat we would not do is let them delay getting the latch looked at.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is the real risk with anything that feels like treatment, and it is what Mindy's note below is about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRegular or Maxi\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sizing guide is the most useful thing on this page, and almost nobody publishes it clearly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegular\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1.73 in wide, 0.35 in deep. For bras \u003cstrong\u003eup to size 32\u003c\/strong\u003e, areola \u003cstrong\u003eunder 1.69 in\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaxi\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1.89 in wide, 0.47 in deep. For bras \u003cstrong\u003esize 34 and up\u003c\/strong\u003e, areola \u003cstrong\u003eover 1.73 in\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasure your areola across before choosing. Reviewers with larger areolas who bought Regular report the rim pinching inside a bra, and that is the single most common complaint about these.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy women love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNothing to wash off and nothing to taste:\u003c\/strong\u003e odourless, and it does not change the smell of your skin the way a balm can\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorn between feeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e protection from fabric rubbing all day, which is when a lot of the damage happens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo sizes with a real fit guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular and Maxi, matched to bra and areola size rather than guesswork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReusable for years:\u003c\/strong\u003e one purchase covers this baby and the next, unlike disposable pads or a jar that runs out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-perforated design:\u003c\/strong\u003e holds moisture against the skin rather than letting it dry out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComes with a storage pouch\u003c\/strong\u003e and is easy to clean with a baking soda paste when the silver darkens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe most-reviewed option in the category\u003c\/strong\u003e at around half the price of the Italian originals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCracked or split nipples where \u003cstrong\u003efabric contact is making it worse\u003c\/strong\u003e between feeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who would rather \u003cstrong\u003enot put a product on skin\u003c\/strong\u003e their baby feeds from\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWomen who have tried a balm and found it \u003cstrong\u003edid not touch it\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStarting \u003cstrong\u003ea few days before birth\u003c\/strong\u003e, if you know from last time that this is coming\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot solid fine silver.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tri-laminate, with a copper core between two silver layers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot a fix for the cause.\u003c\/strong\u003e If the latch is wrong, these buy comfort while it stays wrong\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize matters here.\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular pinches if your areola is over about 1.7 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe silver will darken.\u003c\/strong\u003e Normal oxidation, cleaned off with baking soda and water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRelated reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMindy's guide to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/blogs\/postpartum-advice\/how-do-i-manage-breastfeeding-pain-and-discomfort\"\u003emanaging breastfeeding pain and discomfort\u003c\/a\u003e covers the causes rather than the products, which is the right place to start. If pain comes with a lump, redness or feeling unwell, her guide to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/blogs\/postpartum-advice\/postpartum-mastitis-what-it-is-symptoms-and-fast-treatment\"\u003epostpartum mastitis\u003c\/a\u003e explains what to do and how the guidance has changed. And \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/blogs\/postpartum-advice\/breastfeeding-must-haves-for-new-moms\"\u003ebreastfeeding must-haves\u003c\/a\u003e covers what is genuinely worth having in the first weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExplore more\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese sit in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/collections\/nursing-nipple-care\"\u003enursing and nipple care\u003c\/a\u003e collection, curated by Mindy Motta, FNP-C, inside the wider \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/collections\/breastfeeding\"\u003ebreastfeeding and lactation\u003c\/a\u003e range and our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/collections\/postpartum-essentials\"\u003epostpartum essentials\u003c\/a\u003e. If you would rather try a balm first, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/products\/bamboobies-womens-nipple-cream-organic-cream-for-soothing-skin-nipple-balm-1-oz-pack-of-1\"\u003eBamboobies organic nipple balm\u003c\/a\u003e is five organic ingredients and needs no washing off — many people use both, cups between feeds and balm at night. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/products\/lansinoh-stay-dry-disposable-nursing-pads-soft-and-super-absorbent-breast-pads-breastfeeding-essentials-for-moms-200-count\"\u003eNursing pads\u003c\/a\u003e go over the top either way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA quiet companion for the wait\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe weeks where feeding hurts are long ones, mostly spent awake. Our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/collections\/candles\"\u003eaffirmation candles\u003c\/a\u003e were made for that stretch of the night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA note from Mindy on using these safely\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a nurse practitioner in OB-GYN, I like silver cups more than I like most things in this category, and I have one real reservation about them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat I like:\u003c\/strong\u003e they put nothing on your skin, they stop the friction that keeps reopening a crack, and there is at least one randomised trial behind them, which is more than the creams can say. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.cochranelibrary.com\/cdsr\/doi\/10.1002\/14651858.CD007366.pub2\/full\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCochrane review of nipple pain treatments\u003c\/a\u003e found insufficient evidence that lanolin or any other ointment beats applying nothing. Silver at least has a small trial pointing the right way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy reservation is delay.\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver cups feel like treatment. They are comfortable, they are expensive enough to feel serious, and they make the next feed survivable — which means it is genuinely easy to spend three weeks in them instead of spending one hour with someone who can watch you feed. \u003cstrong\u003eThe most common cause of cracked nipples is a shallow latch, and no cup fixes a latch.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSo use them, and set yourself a deadline.\u003c\/strong\u003e If pain is not clearly improving within two weeks, or if any of these are true, stop troubleshooting alone and see an IBCLC:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePain that lasts \u003cstrong\u003ethrough the whole feed\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than easing after the first few seconds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA nipple that comes out \u003cstrong\u003ecreased or wedge-shaped\u003c\/strong\u003e after feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBurning or shooting pain between feeds\u003c\/strong\u003e, which can be thrush and needs treating in both of you\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCracks that \u003cstrong\u003ewill not close\u003c\/strong\u003e, or any spreading redness, swelling or fever\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwo practical points.\u003c\/strong\u003e Wash them before the first use and rinse them between wears. And if you have a known \u003cstrong\u003emetal allergy\u003c\/strong\u003e, be aware these are tri-laminate with a copper core rather than solid silver — the layer against your skin is silver, but a solid fine-silver cup is the more cautious choice if you react to jewellery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMindy Motta, FNP-C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo silver nursing cups actually work?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe evidence is limited but not empty. One randomised trial of 40 women found faster improvement in pain and fissures at days 7 and 15 compared with standard care. A 2018 systematic review concluded no single topical or mechanical treatment has strong evidence, and that latch and positioning matter most. Survey data shows about 90% of mothers feel they help, while measured fissure rates showed no significant difference. Comfort is real; treat healing claims cautiously.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShould I get Regular or Maxi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular is 1.73 inches wide and suits bras up to size 32 and areolas under 1.69 inches. Maxi is 1.89 inches wide and suits bras from size 34 and areolas over 1.73 inches. Measure your areola across before ordering. The most common complaint about these is Regular pinching inside the bra on someone who needed Maxi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre these solid silver?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. These are tri-laminate: two outer layers of silver over an inner copper core, so only silver touches your skin. Solid 999 fine silver cups exist and cost more. If you specifically want solid fine silver, this is not that product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I wear them while breastfeeding?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, they are worn between feeds. Add a drop of breast milk inside each cup, place them over your nipples and put your bra on. Take them off to feed. You can start wearing them a few days before birth as a preventative measure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need to wash them off before feeding?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing to wash off your skin, which is the main practical advantage over a cream. Rinse the cups themselves between wears and wash them before first use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy has the silver gone dark?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOxidation, and it is normal. It does not mean they have stopped working. Mix a little baking soda with water into a paste, rub gently with a soft cloth and rinse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use silver cups and nipple balm together?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and plenty of people do, using cups through the day and a balm overnight. There is no reason to use both at the same moment, and the cups work best directly against clean skin with a drop of breast milk rather than over a layer of balm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre they safe if I have a metal allergy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface against your skin is silver, which is rarely a trigger, but these have a copper layer inside. If you react to costume jewellery or have a known nickel or metal sensitivity, mention it to your provider, and consider a solid fine-silver cup instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long should I use them before getting help?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo weeks is a sensible ceiling. Nipple pain that is not clearly improving in that time, or pain that lasts through the whole feed, comes with a wedge-shaped nipple, or burns between feeds, needs an IBCLC watching a feed rather than another product.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Koala Babycare","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45445708677258,"sku":"B07ND58735","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0644\/1625\/2042\/files\/71SEhsz5N_L._SL1080.jpg?v=1788552162","url":"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/products\/silver-nursing-cups-for-sore-nipples-koala-babycare","provider":"Awaiting the Stork","version":"1.0","type":"link"}