To think that whoever is in charge of maternity stock at Boots has never been near a set of postnatal nether regions?

[kungfupannda]

I'm due DC3 any time now and suddenly realised I have none of the essential postnatal stuff - I've been a bit too casual about it all this time round!

I went to our local Boots which is massive - two huge floors with several aisles of baby clothes, a huge gifts section, big electrical goods selection - pretty much everything you could possibly need and a whole load of stuff you don't.

I could not find any maternity pads anywhere. There were about 10 different varieties of breast pad, a dozen different breast milk storage options, a whole aisle of postnatal bubble baths and pamper kits, but no maternity pads. When I asked, the assistant looked a bit embarrassed and pointed me to the bottom shelf of the pamper kit section, where tucked away in the corner there was one tiny (very pretty floral print) packet of ultra-thin maternity pads.

This is all they now stock.

Apparently they've 'reduced their selection.'' The assistant wasn't quite sure why, as apparently I am not the first heavily pregnant woman to come in, glare at the flowery packaging and point out that a pack of 10 ultra-thin maternity pads are going to be about as much use as a chocolate teapot immediately after giving birth.

Is this a bad product decision or is it just me? Does everyone else breeze about postnatally, bedecked in flowery pads the size of a postage-stamp?

When I had the other 2 DCs I had some lovely Boots maternity pads that felt like sitting on giant down-filled cushions. I want the massive pads! Surely this is not too much to ask when I'm about to expel a whole human being from my nether regions?

And any recommendations for alternatives?

[BumWad]

Just order them online.

I rate the boots ones too - the ones you have linked

[GozerTheGozerian]

Yeah I think they're the same. Packaging looks different but when I used them they were definitely in a packet of 10. They do next day delivery to store so you could check if they're the same?

[Lbee123]

Another vote for Tesco... I carried on using the big ones for a while even after the bleeding slowed down as they are so comfortable! Only £1.50 for 20 too

[yorkshapudding]

Slightly off topic but thought I'd share a handy tip someone gave me when I was pregnant...Tucks Cooling Witch hazel pads on top of your maternity pads. You can get them from Amazon, they're not cheap but I was certainly glad of them! I think they're meant to be for piles actually but they feel blissfully cool and soothing on the post natal nethers

[Birdsgottafly]

I'd email, our big and local boots still do a selection of maternity pads.

They must be relying on people doing C&C etc, which is why people go elsewhere.

[kungfupannda]

I have an Amazon voucher left over from Christmas. Might be stocking up on Witch Hazel pads...

[kungfupannda]

Out of interest, has anyone tried reusable maternity pads and got on with them? I got some with DS2 - I can't remember the brand - thinking they'd be more comfortable, and it was like sitting on cardboard.

[LottieDoubtie]

Reusable maternity pads? What fresh hell is this? You've got quite enough to do postnatally without that particular chore...

[StrawberryQuik]

Aw yay I'm glad I bought a pack of giant cushiony ones from telco for DCs impending birth. I also bought a packet of thin ones because I thought they'd take up less room in my hospital bag...I might go swap and try to cram more lovely coushin things in there!

[MintyBojingles]

Tesco were best IMO

[FatimaLovesBread]

I've just purchased a bumper supply from two separate boots stores. Our local small one and the big city shopping centre one. And they both still stocked the big fat mattress ones.

[5madthings]

Odd I got some from my boots the other day, they had them on 3 for 2 as well. I got some of the big thick ones and then some of the others for once my bleeding has eased up. But the big thick ones are what you need in the early days I agree.

I have some more thst dh bought from morrisons as I suddenly thought I didn't have enough, plus breast pads, morrisons ones were cheaper and they sell the Johnson and Johnson breast pads for 99p!!! They are £3-4 in other shops.

I actually started packing my bag today as have had a bit of a show... And am almost 39wks.

Have told dh to get the carseat out the loft tomorrow as well and am just trying to get a bit more organised!

[UterusUterusGhali]

You can make your own witch hazel pads; just pour some on a pad, pop back in the wrapper and put it in the freezer.

I used regular sanitary towels after mine as they were more absorbent.

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

I kept tesco ones in the fridge along with a Bottle of witch hazel. Poured a capful on just before putting it on. They were great!

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

Glad I saw this thread! I'd been thinking I'll just pop into boots at some point in the next month or so to buy some of their pads that I had last time, but now I realise it might not be that simple! Thanks for the heads up. Will check out tesco pads if my local boots doesn't have them.

[CakeNinja]

I just got mine from sainsburys last time round. First 2 times I also bought those hideous disposable paper knickers to just bin the lot.
Last time round, I bought about 5 packs of M&S cheap knickers as thought I deserved a touch of luxury, which I also binned after each use (sorry, I know, hideously envionmentally unfriendly, but have PCOS and my clots were the size of ping pong balls sometimes ).

[amysmummy12345]

Morrisons ones very soft and cushiony

[ScoutandAtticus]

Long time since I gave birth but my friend recommends Tena pants.

[Luciferbox]

The Asda ones are nice and thick.

[Gardencentregroupie]

I came on to say both Tesco pads and a bottle of witch hazel (cool healing bliss on my 4th degree tear!) but see I've been beaten to it.

Seriously, can't recommend the witch hazel, pads in the fridge thing enough.

[HarrysMummy17]

Boots still have the thicker ones on the website. I ordered some the other day to collect in store. They are 3 for 2

[ThisWasCrownjewel]

I found Kotex ordinary night-time towels (under £1 a pack) and Asda "little Angels" maternity towels joint favourites - I also liked the tena big super-dooper long ones after the first few days (not as absorbent but my word they're comfy - like sitting on a pillow!)

[RaspberryOverload]

I used to use the Tesco night time maxi pads after births. So cushiony and absorbant. DD uses them now for her periods, and rates them way above the Sainsbury version (not as absorbant and they squished up in the middle meaning she leaked at the edges).

[Impatientwino]

Currently wearing sainsburys giant lovely soft fluffy ones £1 for pack of 10

[georgetteheyersbonnet]

Those Boots big ones were fab for me - what are they doing not stocking them any more??!!

I now actually use the ultra-thin maternity ones as normal pads - they're comfy, extra long and most importantly not scented or plasticky! I can't tolerate any of the main brands now - they make my skin burn horribly and get very sore. But I wouldn't like to be relying on the ultra-thin pads straight after birth (or indeed for the first few post-birth periods, which or me were like someone had turned a tap on for two days - complete bloodbath...)