What are the different kinds of breast pads available?
Breast pads are either reusable or disposable. Disposable breast pads usually have adhesive to hold them in place and are thrown away once you’ve used them. Reusable breast pads can be made from bamboo, cotton, polyester or even silicone.
Make sure you opt for ones that are breathable – you can do this by avoiding pads with plastic or waterproof liners. Silicone breast pads are a bit of an exception here; often their purpose is to prevent leaks rather than absorb them, but if you’re suffering with mastitis or similar, it’s best to give them a miss until you’re back on an even keel.
How often do I need to change my breast pad?
You should change your breast pads whenever they get dampas moisture around the nipple can lead to bacteria growth, but otherwise, see how you go. There’s no one answer to how often you should change your breast pad. Some women never leak and never need breast pads. Some need lots in the early days until their supply is established. Some only leak when they experience let-down, while others need breast pads for the whole time they feed and beyond.
In the early days, you might find you need to change your disposable breast pad at every feed – which can be 10 or more times a day. Sometimes you might need to change them after every other feed or you may need to change the side you are not feeding from.
By the time your supply is established, you’ll likely use between one and three pairs of breast pads a day, but some particularly absorbent pads might even last you all day.
Do reusable breast pads work?
Disposable breast pads are great when you're on the go and come individually wrapped for maximum hygiene. But reusable breast pads work just as well and can be used again and again, making them an eco-friendly and a more affordable option than disposable pads.
They can also be more comfortable against the skin than disposable nursing pads, particularly if they’re made from cotton or bamboo. Washing them actually makes them even softer and more comfortable to wear. This can make all the difference in the early days, especially if your nipples are cracked or sore.
Can breast pads cause mastitis?
No, breast pads don’t cause mastitis; it’s usually caused by engorgement and blocked ducts or cracked nipples caused by a poor latch. However, bacterial growth at the nipple can be a contributory factor so you should keep the area clean and dry. As long as you ensure you change your breast pads often enough and don’t let the area become warm and damp, which can lead to bacterial growth, you’ll be fine.
Should I wash breast pads before use?
It’s perhaps a good idea to wash reusable pads before you use them just so you know they’re completely clean. They might feel a little softer for a wash, too.
How many breast pads should I pack in my hospital bag?
Buy a pack of disposables for hospital so you can see if you need breast pads or not. You may find you don’t but you’ll be glad you had them if you do leak. A box of 20-40 should get you through a good few days and decide if you need more or if you want to invest in some reusables.
How long do I wear breast pads for?
Some women find they only need them when they first start breastfeeding. Others carry on using them all the way through and while they wean their baby off the breast, too. It completely depends on how your body works.
Should I wear breast pads at night?
If you want to. Some women prefer to ‘hang free’ a bit at night and let a bit of air at them, but lots of mums find that night time is when they leak most as they’re often going longer between feeds then, so you might want to wear some pads inside a sleep bra if you’re finding you’re waking up in a pool of milk regularly. There’s certainly no reason not to wear them at night.
What are the best breast pads to buy?
Lansinoh really seem to understand breastfeeding and their Disposable Breast Pads are a firm favourite among Mumsnet users. Their domed shape and secure adhesive make them ideal for leaks.
When it comes to reusable breast pads, BabyBliss Organic Bamboo Nursing Breast Pads are very absorbent, yet discreet, making them a firm favourite with many breastfeeding mums.
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We know we can rely on Mumsnetters for honest feedback, both positive and negative and the mums we went to for advice on buying the best breast pads all had lots of useful information to share on a plethora of products.
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We always ensure our information represents the latest recommendations from experts so you can rely on it, and we research each product thoroughly to ensure it follows the latest expert advice and stands up to scrutiny. We also consulted La Leche League for general advice on breastfeeding as well as the NCT for information on dealing with sore nipples while breastfeeding.
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About the author
Jenny Wonnacott has been working as a Content Editor for Mumsnet since 2022 with a particular focus on pregnancy, child and baby care product guides, articles and reviews. As a mum of three, Jenny has extensive hands-on experience in all of the Mumsnet content she writes about. She is passionate about sourcing, testing and thoroughly researching the products which make every stage of parenting easier, from the best pregnancy pillow to the most reassuring baby monitor as well as top kids' toys, games and tech.
Jenny has more than 16 years of experience working as a professional writer and journalist including stints as a local newspaper reporter, radio news reader, TV researcher and editor of a trades magazine and website. Becoming a mum in 2013 ignited a passion for writing about parenting, a theme which started as a light-hearted blog and has made its way into three published fiction novels and several guest articles for national publications.