If you’re breastfeeding, at any stage, you know how difficult it can be. While breastfeeding is a beautiful time of bonding with your baby, it can be accompanied with several painful problems. Between thrush, cracked nipples, mastitis, engorgement, blanched nipples, and clogged ducts, breastfeeding your baby can sometimes be a difficult experience. There are so many remedies for each of these problems, but wouldn’t it be nice to have some thing that could help prevent and fix these problems before they get bad? Indeed, it would! That’s where silver nursing cups come in! Known commonly as the brand Silverette, silver nursing cups are quickly becoming a game changer in the world of breastfeeding.
What are silver nursing cups?
Silver nursing cups are simply little sterling silver cups that comfortably cover your nipple/areola area. They’re not very big, but they pack a big punch! Made of 925 sterling silver, these tiny cups can be a game changer! Silver is known in the holistic community as a strong healing agent. Silver is an antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, extremely healing metal. Wearing these cups can help heal cuts or cracks, help protect you from thrush, help reduce swelling, lessen soreness, and prevent chafing.
Most breastfeeding Mama’s know that the first few weeks of breastfeeding can be especially difficult and painful experience. Your breasts are not used to being full of milk and your nipples are not used to all the friction that comes with pumping or breastfeeding. Sometimes you a little extra help! And silver nursing cups may be the answer for you!
How do I use the them properly?
Simply drip a few drops of breastmilk or warm water onto the cup and place them over your nipple area. The breastmilk helps them stick and the wetness helps activate the silver. There is no need to rinse your breasts in between feedings either. Just put on the cups in between feedings and then take them off during feedings.
Many women find that using the silver nursing cups prevents them from needing ointments or creams to help with nipple pain. The cups promote healing, and the silver is very soothing. Those benefits in combination negate the need for any additional help.
You may experience some leakage when using the cups. These cups are by no means a milk catcher. They are meant to heal, not to collect. So, depending on your supply, you may experience milk leaking out between the cups and your nipples. An easy solution to this problem is to simply wear nursing pads inside your bra and allow them to catch the milk that leaks out of the cups.
How do I care for my silver nursing cups?
There is no need to wash the cups in between every use. Because they are a natural antimicrobial and natural antibacterial, you can simply just need to rinse them off with warm water anytime they get really milky. No need for soap, just water will do!
Some women notice that after a while, the silver starts to look a little tarnished. Keep in mind that these cups are made of straight silver. The cups will eventually begin to tarnish just as any other silver would. In order to replenish the cups shine, apply a paste of baking soda and water and rub the cups thoroughly for about 30 seconds. Rinse the cups well and then dry them. That’s it!
Store them in a cool, dry place in between uses. I keep mine in a velvet baggy but there are actual cup holders made of silicone! Anything made of a gentle material like that is perfect!
How do I know if I have the right size?
The great thing about these cups is that they are basically a one-size-fits-all type situation! The center of the cups are very deep, which allows for the cups to fit any nipple size without causing nipple compression. If you ever find yourself engorged, the cups may not seem to fit you properly. This is not because they are in an inadequate size or because they don’t fit. Your breasts are just very inflamed and swollen. They should fit great once the inflammation goes down. They may leave a small imprint in your skin, but this will fade within a few hours of you taking them off and the inflammation going down.
Can you see them through a bra?
Depending on the padding in your bra, you may end up seeing the outline of the cups through your clothes.Some people think this looks strange since they can look like your nipples poking out. If this really bothers you, try finding a nursing bra with a little extra padding. If you don’t want to wear a thicker bra, simply try adding a nursing pad, and that should help! Either way, it doesn’t really matter what other people think about your body. So, who cares if you can see the cups through your clothes?? If they’re helping you feel better, wear them!
In conclusion,
No one should feel like they can’t catch a break when it comes to breastfeeding. Everyone deserves an amazing breastfeeding experience. Nowadays, there are so many different things that you can use to make your breastfeeding experience 100 times better. I highly recommend looking into silver nursing cups if you’re struggling with any kind of pain in your breasts or nipples. They might make all the difference for you, and make your breastfeeding journey a happier one!
Disclaimer: All content and media on the Creating a Better Birth website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or call emergency services. If you choose to rely on any information provided by Creating a Better Birth, you do so solely at your own risk.