To be astounded that women use reusable cloth pads when on their period

[jeremytampaxman]

I had no idea that people did this - found out courtesy of a thread on another forum.

Okay, I gather that it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly than using tampons or sanitary towels (although surely there is energy involved in washing them)...but using & washing out pieces of rag in 2013? Seriously?!

I know it's an individual's choice, I get that. But AIBU to be just astounded by that choice?

[MummytoMog]

I use them as back up for my mooncup, like now, when it's all gone a bit Enoch Powell, and I'm emtying the bugger every hour, it's good to know there's a pad backing it up. I probably wouldn't use them as my main protection as I'm a bit too bleedy for that, but I just chuck them in the nappy bucket.

Yes. I also use cloth nappies.

Now, could someone explain free bleeding to me please?

[FairyThunderthighs]

I really want to try them but I'm on the pill at the moment and don't know what my periods will be like when they come back. Can anyone recommend a good place to get them, and an estimate of what I might need?

Oh and OP, YABU BTW. It's not for you, fine, but don't denigrate other people's choices.

[SoniaGluck]

David Mitchell. Jason Isaacs. I'm easily pleased - I'll have either. With or without the cracker.

Oh and OP, YABU.

[Erato]

I wouldn't use one personally. Happy with my natracare unbleached organic sanpro personally (no itch, no dodgy chlorine by-products etc), and already have far too much never-finished washing/housework to be adding bloody cotton pads to the list. But I can see why those who are more eco-conscious than me (and more organised) might like them.

[PeteCampbellsRecedingHairline]

I'm now picturing David Mitchell on a cracker.

[NurseRatchet]

What's it's being 2013 got to do with it? There are far more developing than developed countries in the world. We are fortunate to have the choice. As previous posters have said, disposable products go to landfill, probably in a country where there is little choice of sanitary wear. If you wash reusables properly I don't see what is so disgusting about them.

[Binkyridesagain]

Does the OPs username not make you question the motives of this thread, or is it just me thinking that its a little weird?

[MrsOakenshield]

Rowanred - why would you want to keep blood that is meant to be vacating your body inside it? I think tampons are pretty grim, I don't want a blood-soaked bit of cottonwool up my fanjo for a few hours at a time (when I used tampons I was always forgetting to change them, at least with sanitary towels you can't forget!).

I wouldn't use the washable ones because I hate being obliged to do loads of laundry but I am aware of them and they seem a very good idea!

[SoniaGluck]

Binky Yes, I did wonder. Might be coincidence?

[jeremytampaxman]

Do I feel the same about cloth nappies? In all honesty, yes, a little bit. I don't really know why anybody would want to deal with washing nappies.

But I understand with nappies that there are other motivations other than just the environment - wanting your baby to look cute; wanting to fit into a certain style of parenting.

I know that I am being judgemental. I can't help it - I was just so surprised to learn that people did this. I knew about mooncups and thought that was the eco choice - but this just seems like a step too far.

[MyHumpsMyLovelyBabyBumps]

to be astounded that someone does their period different to you? Yabu. And a bit ridiculous.

Be astounded by the national debt or by the amount of humans living in poverty or by the fact that harrods once sold a pot noodle for 30£

[AmberLeaf]

YANBU I agree with you that it is each to their own, but no, I don't understand that choice either.

Firstly I hate using even disposable towels and have only used them after having my babies. I use tampons by choice.

I remember what my Granny told me about having to use rags for sanpro when she was young, so I just don't get it.

Towels irritate me.

Mooncups are different IMO.

[SoniaGluck]

the fact that harrods once sold a pot noodle for 30£

Good grief, really?

[K8Middleton]

Why use reusable pads when you can flush a wad of cotton down the loo and out to sea? No idea. None at all. It's almost like women don't want to pay loads of money each month to pollute the planet!

[ANormalOne]

I know that I am being judgemental. I can't help it

Yes you can.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

The Harrods Pot Noodle
www.brandrepublic.com/news/790738/

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

it means not using anything at all, mummytomog. only for light periods i think

[MummytoMog]

[Do I feel the same about cloth nappies? In all honesty, yes, a little bit. I don't really know why anybody would want to deal with washing nappies.

But I understand with nappies that there are other motivations other than just the environment - wanting your baby to look cute; wanting to fit into a certain style of parenting.]

Erm, what? I couldn't give a flying fuck about fitting into a certain style of parenting, and the terry nappies I use are practical, and not remotely cute. I just don't want to fill up landfill any more than I already do, and don't find washing nappies particularly arduous. I don't especially want to deal with nappies at all, but sadly they appear to be a side effect of babies.

[AmberLeaf]

I don't get how you can always/regularly forget to change a tampon though?

[MummytoMog]

Nothing? Nothing at all? What the hell? If I did that it would look like the massacre of the innocents wherever I went. kerrist.

[ouryve]

It's not for me, but YABU.

In 2013, we have washing machines that make quick work of washing just about anything and don't have to do it in a tub with a stick.

[SoniaGluck]

Thanks for the link ChazsBrilliantAttitude.

I am amazed.

[kelda]

TBH for us, cloth nappies were far cheaper then the disposable types - and better for my children's skin. So a financial and health motivation as well as an environmental motivation.

Similar reasons for women who use cotton sanitary towels - less likely to cause allergic reactions and thrush; as well as cheaper in the long run.

Nothing particularly astounding about it.

[ouryve]

And David Mitchell definitely warrants more of my thought processes than what other people do for sanitary protection.

[Rowanred]

Mrsoake...Because blood smells? It has a funny metallic smell and it's just not very clean to walk about with a blood soaked pad between your legs! Personal choice obviously but I think sanitary towels( of all sorts!) are grim!