FAQ

Silverette® works through the natural properties of 925 sterling silver. When the cup sits against the skin, moisture activates the silver surface and triggers the release of positively charged silver ions (Ag+). These ions create an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory microenvironment that soothes sore tissue, reduces infection risk, and supports skin repair continuously, between every feed. No creams. No chemicals. Nothing to apply or wash off. The silver does the work.

925 sterling silver is naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory the same properties used in medical wound care for decades. When worn against the skin, silver actively reduces bacterial and fungal colonisation, soothes inflammation, and promotes healing at the skin surface. The 7.5% copper in 925 silver adds a further benefit: it stimulates collagen and elastin production, supporting deeper skin repair. Together, they do not just relieve symptoms they help the skin heal.

925 sterling silver means 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper the internationally recognised standard for medical-grade and high-quality silver. The number 925 is a certified hallmark, not a marketing term. It is a regulated standard. Both metals carry natural healing properties: silver for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, copper for collagen stimulation and skin repair. Together, they are why Silverette® works.

999 silver is 99.9% pure silver the highest purity possible. But pure silver is extremely soft and malleable, which makes it impractical for a product worn daily for months at a time. It bends easily, loses its shape, and wears quickly. 925 sterling silver 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper gives you the full therapeutic benefit of silver with the strength and durability needed for real, repeated use. It holds its shape feed after feed, month after month, and can last across multiple pregnancies Silverette® chose 925 deliberately. It is the right silver for the job.

Every Silverette® cup is made from Italian 925 sterling silver, sourced exclusively through government authorised Italian metals agents. Italy holds the highest silver quality standards in the world, with strict regulations and mandatory certification for every batch. We can trace every cup back to its silver source that traceability is part of what it means to be the original.

Because breastfeeding is not always the effortless experience it is supposed to be. Cracked nipples bleeding skin, infection risk, and the fear of giving up these are real, and they are common. More than 25 years of use, clinical testing, and the trust of lactation consultants and maternity hospitals across 30 countries confirm what mothers have known for decades: it works.

Nipple pain is the most common reason mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned. Cracked, bleeding, and sore nipples particularly in the first weeks make every feed a source of dread rather than connection. Add the risk of thrush, mastitis, and skin breakdown, and the toll becomes significant. Silverette® was designed to address all of these: soothing inflammation, preventing infection, and supporting the skin to heal between feeds so that breastfeeding can continue.

Silverette® nursing cups are now available in three sizes – Small, Medium, and Large – making it easier to find a comfortable fit for your body and breast shape.

Whichever size you choose, all Silverette® cups work exactly the same; the difference is purely the diameter, which affects comfort and fit—not performance. The depth of the cup, which is the space between the nipple and the silver cup, remains consistent across all sizes.

Because breasts often grow during pregnancy and again when milk comes in, we recommend considering your expected nursing size rather than your pre-pregnancy size when choosing.

As a general guide:

• Small is recommended for mothers with an A–C cup size and/or an areola smaller than approximately 4.5 cm.
• Medium is ideal for mothers with a C–D cup size and/or an areola around 4.5–5.5 cm.
• Large is best suited for mothers with a D+ cup size and/or an areola larger than approximately 5.5 cm.

If you fall between sizes or prefer a roomier fit, we generally recommend sizing up, as a slightly larger cup is often more comfortable during breastfeeding.

If you’re purchasing Silverette® as a gift and are unsure which size to choose, Medium or Large are typically the safest “fits most” options depending on the recipient’s build.

No matter which size you select, your Silverette® cups will still function effectively. And if you’d like personalised sizing advice, the Silverette team is always happy to help you choose the best fit for your comfort and needs.

You can start from the very first days postpartum and many mothers find it most valuable in the early weeks, when the skin is adjusting to breastfeeding and most vulnerable to cracking and soreness. You do not need to wait until there is a problem. Many mothers use Silverette® preventatively from day one, and find they never experience the pain that might otherwise have ended their journey early.

Yes. At its core, Silverette® is a tool for sore, sensitive, and inflamed nipple skin and that need does not begin and end with breastfeeding. Some women experience nipple sensitivity during pregnancy as the body changes, and Silverette® can be worn to soothe and protect that skin in exactly the same way. It is a passive product it simply sits against the skin and lets the silver do its work. There is no active stimulation involved. If you are experiencing discomfort and want to start using Silverette® before your baby arrives, there is no reason not to.

Yes. Silverette® is worn between feeds and removed before breastfeeding so the cup itself is not in contact with your baby during feeding. Silver does not transfer through breast milk in harmful quantities during normal use. Silverette® is also ISO 10993-10 cleared, independently tested for skin irritability with zero reaction recorded, and certified to contain zero lead and zero nickel. Safe for mum. Safe for baby.

Yes and this is when it is most needed. Silverette® was designed for exactly this situation. The silver creates a protective, antimicrobial environment over broken skin, reducing infection risk and actively supporting healing between feeds. Keep the cups clean, rinse with warm water after each use, and let the silver do its work. Many mothers notice significant improvement within a few days.

Yes. Silver's natural antifungal properties make Silverette® particularly suited to environments where thrush is present. The antimicrobial microenvironment created by the silver ions actively works against fungal growth at the skin surface. Always continue any treatment recommended by your healthcare provider Silverette® supports recovery alongside medical care, not instead of it.

Yes. Silverette® anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties can provide relief and support to the nipple and areola area while you are managing mastitis. It will not treat the underlying infection mastitis requires medical attention but it can help protect and soothe the surface skin during recovery. Always follow your healthcare provider's advice.

Yes. Many pumping mothers use Silverette® between pumping sessions to protect and soothe the nipple and areola, which can experience the same friction and soreness as direct feeding. Remove the cups before pumping, wear them in between, and care for them the same way. The silver's protective properties work regardless of whether you are nursing directly or pumping.

Nothing is wrong. Natural tarnishing is a sign your cups are genuine 925 silver it is the silver reacting with moisture and air, which is completely normal and does not affect safety or effectiveness. To restore shine, make a small paste with baking soda and a few drops of water, gently rub with your fingers or a soft cloth, and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Dry completely before wearing. Do not use soap, bleach, abrasive cleaners, or a dishwasher. Tarnish on a Silverette(R) cup is actually reassuring. It is a sign the silver is real.

Yes Silverette® is recommended by lactation consultants and maternity health professionals across Australia and internationally. It has been part of maternity ward practice in hospitals for over 25 years, beginning with the clinical trial at the University Hospital of Padova. Lactation consultants value it because it is a regulated medical device with published clinical evidence not just an anecdotal recommendation.

No and this is one of the most important things a mother can know before she buys. Not all products marketed as silver cups are made from solid silver. Many on the market are trilaminated a thin silver coating bonded over a cheaper metal core, such as stainless steel, brass, or copper alloy. They look similar. They use similar language. But they are not the same material, and they do not deliver the same result. Silverette® is solid 925 sterling silver all the way through no coatings, no core metals, no shortcuts. That is not a claim. It is certified and traceable.

Ask three questions. Does the product state its silver purity clearly the number 925 on the packaging? Is it registered as a medical device (TGA in Australia, FDA in the USA, HSA in Singapore, or CE in Europe)? Has it been independently and clinically tested? Silverette® answers yes to all three with documentation to back every claim. If a product cannot answer yes to all three, the silver purity is unverified, and so is the safety.

Because you are placing this product against cracked, broken, and sensitive skin sometimes for months at a time. With a trilaminated product, the thin silver coating wears away over time with regular cleaning. Once it does, the base metal is what sits against your skin. That base metal has not been tested for safety on broken skin, and it does not carry silver's therapeutic properties. With Silverette(R), the material in contact with your skin is the same from day one to the last day of your breastfeeding journey certified, tested, and unchanged.

If a product is significantly cheaper, the cost saving has to come from somewhere. With silver cups, it almost always comes from the silver content either a lower purity, a trilaminated coating, or a product that contains very little silver at all. Genuine 925 sterling silver is a precious metal. It has a real market cost. Silverette® does not compromise on its metal formulation and that is precisely why it works. One pair of Silverette® cups can last across multiple pregnancies. The investment, spread across time, is smaller than it first appears.

Yes and it is the only silver nursing cup in the world that can say so across multiple countries. Silverette® is TGA registered in Australia (Medical Device Registration #236106), FDA registered in the United States, HSA registered in Singapore, and CE certified across Europe. It was clinically trialled over two years at the University Hospital of Padova before it ever went to market, and those findings were published in Breastfeeding Medicine journal (Volume 10, Number 5, 2015). No other product in this category has equivalent documentation.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is Australia's regulatory body for medical devices. Registration means the product has been independently assessed for safety and has met the standards required to be classified as a medical device in Australia. It also means the materials have been verified you know what it is made of because a regulatory body has confirmed it. Most silver cups on the market are not TGA registered. Silverette® is.

Ask for the documentation. Any brand can use words like healing, antimicrobial, or clinically proven but those words only mean something if they are backed by independently verified evidence. Silverette® can provide its TGA registration number, its FDA registration, its ISO 10993-10 skin safety clearance, and its peer-reviewed published research. If another brand makes the same claims, ask them to show the same proof. The answer will tell you everything.

It is a simple way to demonstrate the difference between solid silver and a trilaminated product. Take a metal nail file and scratch the surface of a Silverette® cup. The result is consistent silver throughout the same colour and material from the surface all the way through. No layers. No different metal beneath. Do the same to a trilaminated alternative. The scratch breaks through the thin outer silver layer almost immediately, revealing a different coloured base metal underneath. What appears to be a silver product is, in the majority of its composition, something else entirely. Silverette® is solid silver. The scratch test proves it.

Over time, Silverette® cups may develop a yellowish patina. This is a normal result of the copper in the 925 silver alloy reacting with moisture and air. The cups remain safe and effective, and the discoloration is simply evidence that they are genuine sterling silver. To restore their shine, make a paste by mixing one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of water. Gently rub it over the cups, then rinse and pat them dry.

For further tips, see our Clean & Care page.

Silverette® cups naturally resist bacteria and fungi, so routine cleaning is simple. After each feed, rinse them with warm water; this is usually sufficient for hygiene. You can also use a mild hand wash soap if you prefer, but avoid harsh detergents, bleach, sterilising tablets or abrasive pads. If tarnish appears over time, follow the polishing instructions above using a bicarbonate of soda paste. For more detailed guidance, please visit our Clean & Care page.

For more detailed guidance, please visit our Clean & Care page.

Shipping & Dispatch

All orders are dispatched within one business day from our distribution centres. If you require an item urgently, please contact us at info@silveretteapac.com, and we will do our best to prioritise your order.

Standard Shipping within Australia (Australia Post)

All Australian orders are sent via Australia Post with tracking and insurance.

Estimated delivery times after dispatch:

• Metro areas: 2–5 business days
• Regional areas: 3–7 business days
• Remote areas: 5–10 business days

Delivery times are estimates only and may vary during peak periods or due to factors outside our control.

Express Shipping within Australia (Australia Post Express)

Estimated delivery times after dispatch:

• Metro areas: 1–2 business days
• Regional areas: 2–4 business days

International Shipping

Shipping to all other destinations is calculated at checkout. When you place an order, we will provide estimated shipping and delivery timeframes based on item availability and the shipping option selected. Depending on the shipping provider, these estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Customs, Duties & Import Taxes

Customs duties, taxes, and import fees are the responsibility of the buyer. These charges are not included in our shipping fees and may vary depending on the destination country.

We recommend checking with your local customs office for further information prior to placing your order. Unfortunately, we are unable to estimate or control these charges.

Shipping Rates & Weights

Shipping rates for many items are weight-based. Product weights are listed on each product detail page. In accordance with our shipping partners’ policies, all weights are rounded up to the next full kilogram.

We want you to be happy with your Silverette® cups, and we understand that sometimes you may need a different size. Because these products are used for personal health and hygiene, exchanges come with a few important conditions.

Eligibility and Timeframe

• You may exchange your Silverette® cups for a different size if you contact us within 14 business days of receiving your order.


• The cups must be unused, unopened and in their original packaging. We’re unable to accept exchanges for products that have been opened or used, unless there is a fault covered by consumer law.

Customer Responsibilities

• All shipping costs associated with the exchange—including returning the original item and sending the replacement—are the customer’s responsibility.


• Original shipping fees are non refundable. If there is a price difference between sizes, we will adjust the balance accordingly.

How to Request an Exchange

1. Contact us by email. Email info@silveretteapac.com within 14 business days of receiving your order. Please include your order number, the product you currently have, and the product you’d like to receive.


2. Follow our instructions. We’ll reply with our return address and further instructions. Package the item carefully in its original, unopened packaging and include reference to your original order.


3. Ship your item. Send it back using a trackable shipping method. Once we receive and inspect your return, we’ll dispatch the exchange promptly.

Returns Policy

We genuinely hope you love your purchase, but we understand that sometimes things just don’t work out. Because these items are for personal health and hygiene, our returns policy has a few important details to keep everyone safe and happy.

If you change your mind within 14 days of receiving your order,you can send back any unused item that’s still in its original, unopened packaging. As soon as we receive and inspect your return, we’ll issue a refund to your original payment method for the cost of the product.

• Return shipping: Customers are responsible for return postage on non faulty items.
• Shipping fees: Original shipping fees are non refundable.

Items We Can’t Take Back

For hygiene reasons, we’re unable to accept returns or offer refunds on products that have been opened or used, unless there’s a fault covered by consumer law. We know this can be disappointing, but this policy ensures the safety of all our customers.

How to Start a Return

1. Email us at info@silveretteapac.com within 14 days of receiving your order to let us know you’d like to return your item. We’ll provide instructions and a return address.


2. Package the item carefully in its original, unopened packaging and include your proof of purchase.


3. Send it back using a trackable shipping method. Once we receive and inspect it, we’ll process your refund promptly.

• Clinically tested by breastfeeding mothers – Silverette® cups were trialled for two years at the University Hospital of Padua before being made available to mothers and healthcare professionals.
• Recommended by IBCLC and other specialists – International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and other health professionals often choose Silverette® for clients who need help soothing damaged nipples.
• Recognised by health authorities:
  • Registered as a Class A medical device with Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Dealer’s licence ES0502264
  • Registered as a Class I medical device with Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (ARTG 236106)
  • Complies with European Union medical device requirements (CE). Class I Medical Device – Regulation 745/2017 and Law 5 February 1934 and subsequent modifications on the double hallmark of silver.
• Biocompatibility tested – An FDA‑accredited lab certified the cups under ISO 10993‑10 for skin irritation; no irritation was observed during testing.
• Documented in a medical journal – The design and clinical use of Silverette® nursing cups were reported in the peer‑reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine.
• Strict material sourcing – To manufacture Silverette®, only silver purchased from government‑approved agents is used; each batch of metal comes with certification.