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I’m due to have my first baby a month from now, and I’m trying to get all the essentials together. The more I think about nursing pads, the more I wonder about why they are disposable.Since they are only catching milk, can’t they just be washed and reused? Am I missing something here?
Any advice on whether it’s a good idea to buy the reusable pads that are available online? Does anyone recommend particular brands? — Kristyna
Ariel had this to say:
Based on my own experience: I bought some adorable flannel nursing pads before my son was born … and once my milk came in, I immediately realized why some people use disposables: my leakage was so intense that the washable nursing pads simply could not keep up. The only way I could keep a shirt dry for more than an hour or two was using disposable pads that were super-absorbent thanks to being more like maxi-pads than nursing pads.Totally depends on your body, really … I will just say that for me, my adorable, eco-friendly nursing pads simply didn’t work.
In my experience, disposable nursing pads were the only ones that could absorb the sheer volume of breast milk that leaked — do you know of a more eco-friendly alternative that’s just as effective?
It’s totally a whatever works for you kind of thing, but I really hated the disposable ones. They were just too scratchy for my sensitive skin. So I ended up buying a bunch of cloth reusables and had much better luck with them. But then again, I wasn’t leaking milk in massive quantities either.
I tried for months and always had leakage with the reusable pads. After about 6 months – they were ok, but by then, I didn’t really need them anymore.
The only ones that really worked for me were the ones that contained gel made by Chicco. As they absorbed, the gel expanded. I’m not sure if they are available in the U.S., I bought them in Italy.
Don’t know if anyone mentioned the awesome brand Charlie Banana. http://www.charliebanana.com/products/fem_nurse.html
Inside is soft fleece. Outside is still soft but leakproof. I have a very heavy, forcefull letdown and have never leaked. They are amazing and stay put in your bra really well. They come with a convenient carrying case too. 🙂
I was really leaky… and, 6.5 months into nursing, I still leak. The first 12 weeks were the worst, and I never used disposables. I just stuffed 3-4 reusables into my shirt at night (though the diaper sounds like a brilliant idea! for next time…), and used 2-3 during the day. I just bought a bunch of the cheaper reusables (Avent/Medela). Also, I made sure to use a nursing camisole underneath my shirt – I would pull up my shirt to nurse, and any leakage would only occur on the cami that would then be covered up by the clean shirt after I nursed. I have a bunch of Undercover Mama nursing camis – they attach onto the bra, and I really love them (I still wear them under everything).
Later, I won a pair of Epibi nursing pads at a raffle, and they are pretty nice (very thin!). I’m not sure how well they work when the leaking is the worst (with your newborn), as I didn’t get them until my son was 3 months old.
I do find that now that the leaking has improved, one pair of reusables (Avent and Medela are the ones I own) inside of a padded nursing bra seems to work well enough. I also still use the nursing camisoles underneath my shirt, so if I drip at least it’s on a cami that is underneath another shirt.
I can’t speak enough to padded nursing bras – they cover up the bulk of the nursing pads, and also absorb some of the milk as well.
Good luck!
BAMBOOBIES!!! They are AMAZING!! They have daytime and night time nursing pads. They work wonders and are super soft and comfy. I had thrush so bad that my nipples bled and these were so soft on my super sore nipples. They are available online and I can’t say enough good things about them!
Wool! I got a set of Medela cotton pads that showed through my clothes and slipped around. Then I got a larger, awesome pair of Danish Wool breast pads and they are the only ones I ever used again.
The disposable ones have the same stuff in them as diapers to make them absorbent – I’ve heard stories of that stuff leaking onto the breast itself and ending up in the baby’s mouth.
I used lansinoh brand nursing pads w/ my first daughter and was QUITE the leaky lady. I’ve never used reusable but will be for sure with this next one. I’ll let everyone know how it works for me! lol
I couldn’t handle the feeling of disposable ones, they felt crinkly to me so even though the reusable ones are thicker and show through my shirt more, I didn’t care. I just threw them in the laundry with my baby’s clothes.
I was never a super heavy leaker, but the first few weeks back at work I had to change them half way through the day because they were starting to feel wet.
I cant imagine using anything else now, but it is my normal. The other thing cloth breast pads are good for is putting in the bassinet with baby the night after wearing them. They smell like mama and helps soothe to sleep. I couldn’t do that with disposables.
My step-mother is a doctor and a breastfeeding consultant. When I was pregnant I was totally prepared by her many stories of leaking breasts and wearing a bra to sleep in to be covered in milk 24/7. I bought a ton of re-usable nursing pads (LaLecheLeague brand), and waited for my little baby to come out. My daughter latched like a pro the first try, and my milk came in right on schedule. I went from a 32B cup to a 32J. I had a LOT of milk, but no leaking. None. All those re-usable pads. I never used them once. Now my daughter is 16 months, still breastfeeding, and still no leaking. All those breast pads were given away to a friend. I never needed them.