Breast pad questions

[Tatties]

I have a couple of questions for all you breastfeeders out there!
Firstly, how long have you worn breast pads for? I am asking because my ds is 8mths and I still wear them, not for leaking (I never really did) but for comfort. My nipples are really sensitive and I wouldn't like to have them rubbing against my bra. Has anyone else experience of this or am I abnormal?!!
And secondly, how have you found reusable breastpads in terms of comfort and discreetness? Which brand do you rate the best?
TIA

Don't your nipples bug you when you're not pregnant/breastfeeding, then?

I'm not sure what to recommend. My nipples aren't very tender, but also, they don't "rub" against my bra, as they stay still. Maybe a really soft bra, like the Bravado bra, would help? (Not great support, though.)

I used breast pads a bit with DS1, as I leaked a bit. I used the Avent ones. I found they were fine. Not very discreet, though.

It's just since breastfeeding they have been sensitive. My nipples seem to stay more still with a breast pad, I think because one boob is always a bit smaller when just emptied so there's maybe a bit more room in the cup for as little while iyswim. I suppose it's more the seam I'm worried abut them rubbing/pressing against.

Ah, there's no seam on the cup of the Bravado bras. They're reasonably supportive, given the style.

(Anyway, with an 8-month-old, you're maybe not feeding as much, out and about? I mostly stopped wearing bf bras when DS2 was about a year, and could have done it earlier.)

With DS2 I didn't manage without breastpads until 11 months, which was a bit of a nightmare. I found the beast pads were the Johnson & Johnson ones, although I didn't try reuseables.

I found breastpads made my nipples look like embarrassingly large saucers through my tops. Despite claiming to be discrete I never found any that were. I did away with them early on (but then I have never really suffered from leaking or sensitivity.)

The pads do show through but without them I looked like I was entering a wet t-shirt comp.

I had to use pads up to 16 months last time. I found that if I hit a stressful time at work (meetings, presentations etc) I became the human fountain; which was a bit embarrassing really. I use lilypads at the moment which are silicone reusables, they are quite difficult to get back on properly after feeding but really comfortable and invisible under clothes.

lilypadz I mean. I bought them from a lovely lady who has a breastfeeding shop on ebay.

I don't use them much but love Tommee Tippee ones - flat, discreet and wide. Have heard great things about lilypadztoo.