Reuseable sanitary protection?

[Sanpro]

I’m shamelessly utilising the footfall here to ask for your opinion on the best reuseable sanitary towels. I hope you don’t mind, I’m doing it for the environment!

I want to switch to them but they can be quite pricey and I don’t want to outlay a ton on something that isn’t good.

Anyone have any recommendations?

Also, I know people love the Mooncup and similar but I can’t get on with them. Especially with my new heavy postpartum periods.

Thank you kindly in advance.

I like honour your flow pads. Much more comfortable than disposable.

I haven't used the pads, but I have period knickers. They are princely, at £20+ a pair, but they are really comfy, more so than pads. I have modibodi and waka ones.

They look great, thank you! I’ve not come across them before.

@purpledagger I have the Thinx pants but since having a baby, they’re not quite up to it. Well, maybe on day 3/4 onwards. I might see if your brands are better.

wuka....so comfortable. I love them

I couldn’t get on with the mooncup either. I use eco femme pads and they’re great. Very comfortable.

I use cheeky wipes pads and period pants (and combined for day 1 and 2), really rate them.

I like Bloom and Nora - the bamboo ones.

I use reusable pads from Casey & Bear however I use them in conjunction with a moon cup or on my lightest days.

I used to use reusable pads, but have switched to Modibodi pants, which cope admirably with my perimenopausal heavy flow.

I bought Wee Notion's PeaPods cloth pads about 7 years ago and they're still going strong, very comfortable and easy to use.

I use an independent lady, Crimson moon. Excellent quality, and her pada have never failed, even on day 2 (my heaviest day)

I like Bloom and Nora. Tried Cheeky Wipes but they kept slipping around. Moving to resuables has been a life changer!

I use Cheeky Wipes pads. I would advise going for their charcoal ones though rather than the cream coloured bamboo ones as the charcoal ones don't stain as much as the bamboo ones.

There are so many independent sellers who make great pads. I would say go to a website like feminine wear or boobalou who have different makers and try a few.

They may be expensive in the beginning but I have some 5+ years old and going strong with no stains (I know some people worry about staining)

Oh wow, I had no idea there were so many brands! Everyone has suggested a different one 😆

Thanks everyone. I will do some browsing.

I have such a heavy flow now (really unusual for me and I won’t lie, I find it a bit traumatic) that I was flying through the disposable pads and was getting thrush from how not-breathable they were.

I love mine. Got them from amazon. The longer length ones cope with my heavy overnight flow, unlike disposables.
Next time I plan to get some from an etsy shop though.

@Sanpro talk to your GP if the very heavy flow doesn't settle down. I was soaking through a pad every couple of hours on the heaviest days after I stopped bf baby #3, and was referred to a consultant and was given a d&c. 20 odd years ago so they may do it differently now, but just a thought.

I use cheeky wipes, love them! They wash well and stay soft.

I have been using them for years now and have tried a few brands, but always come back to Honour Your Flow.

I have heavy flow and these are the only ones that have stood up to it 😶 I also like that they come in so many different sizes.

It's definitely a bit of trial and error at the start to find what works for you. I'd never go back to disposables now.

@Whenwillow I may just do that. I'll get through a 'super plus' pad in an hour for a day or two. It's horrible. And at the risk of sharing too much, I just hate the feeling. It's that which makes me anxious, I think! I find I don't notice the sensation so much in my pads as they're more pliable.

I like the honouryourflow pads. Tried loads inc cheeky wipes ones but I thought honouryourflow was the best. I especially love the nighttime ones. Finally safe to sleep deeply! If you follow them they regularly have happy hours with 20% off

Go on Facebook and find the independent makers, they are amazing. I have collected probably a couple of dozen now (you buy different strengths/thicknesses) for my daughter. She has not once had a leak!!! I just throw them in a nappy bucket or similar with stain remover overnight, then they just get put in with normal wash, amazing.

Cheeky Wipes ones are ok...but, I've found they don't stay put for me. They slide round to the wrong side of my pants! Quite annoying.

I also have modibodi pants which are a lot better, but, I keep accidentally washing mine on the wrong setting and they are showing a bit of wear now. I also find it annoying having to change my pants halfway through the day! If you're wearing jeans and boots and are at work etc, it's a pain.

My preference, I have to confess, is still disposables . I use a mixture, probably slightly more reusables, but I like normal tampons best tbh. They do feel cleaner and more comfortable for me.

The other thing I find irritating, but can't be helped, is that they all say to wash on cold. I don't do a cold wash very often, so I have to wait till there are enough of them to do a cold wash. And then they need to be stored either used and dirty, soaking in a tub or rinsed and less dirty but still wet, so they can go a bit musty. So, for me, there are some downsides. Also, using out and about can be a pain.

My teenagers and I use Modibodi washable pants. They’re great - quote an outlay to start with but cheaper in the long run.