Advice on reusable breast pads

10 replies

Caitni · 18/12/2009 21:16

I'm 29 weeks and last night we had our antenatal class on breastfeeding - so I'm all excited and looking forward to it now

But she mentioned leaking and breast pads so I've been looking at reusable/washable breast pads today. But I've no idea how many I'd need.

So, ladies, can anyone please help by giving me some advice on how many breast pads I should buy before the birth? Also, does anyone have any particular brands they like?

I'm happy to supplement with disposables if I have to, but I would really prefer to use reusable/washable ones.

TIA

OP posts:

Poledra · 18/12/2009 21:21

I used Avent reusables, and had 12, I think (2 packets worth). I also kept some disposable ones to use if I ran out. Tesco's own brand disposables are crap, IMHO

BTW, don't get worried if you don't leak; I have 3 DCs, and have never leaked before birth. I also didn't leak much after birth with DDs 1 and 2, but ran like a tap with DD3 . Don't think no leaks means you can't feed.

thisisyesterday · 18/12/2009 21:23

i got by with 6 reusable ones, but it would have been handy to have more

Original poster

Caitni · 18/12/2009 21:25

Thanks Poledra - I'll check out the Avent ones. And thanks for the heads up re Tesco - tis a shame, as there's a Tesco right at the end of the road, so would have been handy!

Interesting that it can be so different with each child. Will try to remember this if I start to stress out for not leaking!

OP posts:

littlemisslozza · 18/12/2009 21:31

I would say wait and see, maybe get a few of each to start you off. I bought reusable breast pads while pg with DS1 but I have leaked while breastfeeding both of my boys, so much I had to use disposable ones due to the plastic backing. It just went straight through the reusable ones, although I had good intentions. They were Avent ones.
You might be lucky and not be leaky, or you might like me! On the plus side though, I never have to pump to leave a feed as I can just collect milk from the one boob while feeding from the other, and freeze it. V. handy!
Best disposable ones I've used are Boots and Sainsbury's.

Treadmillmom · 18/12/2009 21:53

littlemisslozza is so right. Everyone is different. I never leaked pre birth but leaked like crazy post birth with all 3 DC but some of friends were the opposite or never leaked at all.
Now 1st and 2nd child I used a combo of reusable (had 6 pairs I think) and disposable but found the reusable often let leaks out and the bulky edges showed as a disc shape through my bra and clothes.
With DC3 I discovered this T-shirt nursing bra which hides nipple and/or breast pad shape.
My best ever, ever purchase were these disposable breast pads, I've never looked back.

moaningminniewhingesagain · 18/12/2009 23:12

I used avent, had 3 packs I think. But they were rubbish for me, I leaked straight through and had big circles around the edges of the pads on my tops!

This time I have found johnsons disposable ones the best, I needed them till 11months but have finally stopped leaking while I feed. No probs before/between feeds since the early days, just found that the 'spare' boob leaks a lot when baby is feeding on the other side.

But I know people who have never needed pads and just don't leak. So maybe try a few sorts, see how it goes.

NellyTheElephant · 19/12/2009 01:20

Unfortunately you will not really know what you need until a couple of days after the birth when your milk comes in. It's fair to say that I'm a bit of a treehugger (use washable nappies etc etc) so I was v keen to use disposable breast pads. Not a hope... They were utterly useless, well actually they were fine for the week or so before birth but once my milk came in it was crazy. I couldn't believe how much i leaked. Even most of the disposable brands were useless - the only ones which were any good were nuk, tommee tippee, lanisoh or the Boots ultra thin ones (basically they all use that horrid gel stuff like a disposable nappy or sanitary towel), any thing else and I was a wet soggy mess the whole time. I bf for 6 months for each of my 3 DCs and it never settled down, partly I'm glad about that as I had a fantastic milk supply, but it can be quite annoying too.

SantaIsMyLoveSlave · 19/12/2009 01:27

I had these from Spirit of Nature which I thought were fab. I needed quite a few because I kept leaving them at other people's houses but you may be less crap.

mcflumpy · 19/12/2009 04:32

I found disposables contributed to nipple pain ( found them to be uncomfortable and a bit 'scratchy') went with boots rewashables in the end which I like but have seen many others say they didn't like boots own. A bit of trial and error involved I'm afraid but if you are sore, consider trying a different brand or type just in case they're aggrivating your nipples.

DitaVonCheese · 21/12/2009 21:44

I think I now have nine pairs of reusables - I was getting by on six pairs but picked up another three at an NCT sale recently for a quid, which is fab (allows for some in the wash, drying etc). I think I have Avent ones and Boots own, neither of which are brilliant tbh - they are both visible through clothes, not particularly absorbent, and the Avent ones don't even seem to be waterproof However, they are fine for me now at 15 months (I was particularly leaky though!).

As others have said, reusables were useless for me at first, and I used to have to change my disposables a couple of times a day. I found the Tesco's ones fine but hated the Johnsons ones (in a green pack, not Johnsons & Johnsons) as the edges scratched me. Tommee Tippee ones are nice but expensive, but occasionally on special offer. Breastfeedingheaven.co.uk ones are great for buying in bulk but I think postage is quite pricy - and you might be lucky and not need so many! Tbh most of them (Boots own, Sainsburys etc) seem to be much of a muchness.

I am planning to treat myself to some ones www.bumpto3.com/bump/breast_feeding/washable_silk_breast_pads for DC2, but haven't actually tried them.

Flip