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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Breast pads - a few questions.

36 replies

hollyoaks · 18/06/2010 11:47

I'm new to bf so learning as I go along, couldn't manage with dd1 but it seems to be going really well with dd2 who is 3 weeks old. However, I was wondering which breast pads other people have got on with best. I have so far tried Mothercare, Asda and Boot's own brand and all of them move around a lot (despite sticky strips) and if I don't check that there in the right position will mean I leak onto my clothes.

The other question was will I need to wear breast pads for as long as I bf? Probably a stupid question but really not sure.

OP posts:
lal123 · 18/06/2010 11:52

I wore Johnsons ones - they seemed to stay put a bit better than the own brand ones. I wore breast pads for quite a while - but stopped using them by about 4 months? Could probably have stopped earlier, but didn't want to repeat the embarassing wet boobs I had with DD1!

plantsitter · 18/06/2010 11:58

I used washable ones which were comfier (imo) and didn't move around 'cos they had lace on the back. The avent ones were good but there are loads of other brands too.

cupofcoffee · 18/06/2010 12:18

I like the Tommee Tippee ones, they have a larger diameter than a lot of the others and seem to stay in place well.

comeonbishbosh · 18/06/2010 12:20

I have tried quite a few as i seem to have particular leaky boobs. There is a big difference and IMO you do get what you pay for. I originally started with some silk washable ones but for me they were as useless as a chocolate teapot as they soaked through in minutes.

My summary of the disposables:
Boots: horribly scratchy and too small.
Tescos, slightly better than Boots but still too small, got embarrassing wet patches.
Tommee Tippee and Lanoishe, both these brands are more expensive but so much better. I have now learnt my lesson and only buy these. It is so horrible when your boobs leak that I think it's worth making sure you have something comfortable and that works. I have heard good things about Johnsons but haven't tried them myself.

I think everyone is different re how long you leak for. It was worse for the first month, and then settled down, but now (4.5 months) has just got worse again... i think because DD is a bit erratic in her feeding and sleeping the milk supply doesn't know what's going on!

Good luck with it. It all does get a bit easier from the 3 week stage!

pooka · 18/06/2010 12:22

I have always used the JOhnson's ones - tried others briefly but they weren't as comfortable.

I am still wearing them and ds2 is 9 months. I don't think I wore them for so long with dd and ds1. I think this time I'm more prone to leaking from the other breast because I feed one boob per feed. So don't swap during a feed. (Not sure why or how this happened, but was just the routine I got into and have never bothered changing. Wasn't the same with ds1 and dd).

pooka · 18/06/2010 12:23

I've also tried:
Tesco and Sainsburys. Horribly scratchy and papery

Tommie Tippee - didn't like, can't remember why.

Avent - pretty good but the plastic wrapping on each pad irritates me. No need and a waste of time.

susiey · 18/06/2010 12:39

I like lansinoh and tommee tippee ones they seemed to stay in place better

Original poster
hollyoaks · 18/06/2010 12:51

Thanks for all the advise so far. I'll definitely be indulging in some more expensive pads after the Asda own brand run out.

I don't think the leaking is too bad between feeds but I find that I leak quite a bit during feeds from the boob I'm not feeding with. Does that continue for as long as you bf?

OP posts:
WalkingBoob · 18/06/2010 13:15

Def try the Johnson's ones if you want to opt for disposables..lovely and soft and no plasticy packaging. They aren't too expensive if bought from a supermarket. I've always leaked through washables.

IME the leaking does subside over time (DD is now 20 weeks), but it catches you out!! I'll go a couple of nights with no leaks, so I ditch the pads and hey presto I'm a wet milky mess come the morning

nubbins · 18/06/2010 14:37

I think tommee tippee are the best for absorbancy, but they irritate my skin. Last time i used a brand from a health food shop but i foget the name. This time I made my own from brushed cotton, towelling and fleece. I get on better with theese than any disposable ones i tried.

neolara · 18/06/2010 14:56

Johnsons are miles better than any other I've tried.

I'm still using them and my dd is 9 months. Leaks only happen now when I'm feeding.

MumNWLondon · 18/06/2010 17:35

try lily padz instead?

Fifilottie · 18/06/2010 18:04

On this subject, is there anyone out there who just doesn't leak. I never have and was very confused about the need for breast pads. Makes me feel abnormal or somthing...anyone the same??

littlemefi · 18/06/2010 19:50

I found the Lansinoh ones best, bigger surface area, very absorbent and thin and don't move around!
More expensive than others but worth it IMO.

peakylovessummer · 18/06/2010 20:06

tommee tippee by far the best ive tried, biggest diameter and good stickage.

marriednotdead · 18/06/2010 20:07

Hollyoaks, I used to have the same problem and used something like these on the side I wasn't feeding on.
If I remember correctly, they held about 50mls but I still used to have to empty them halfway through a 5 minute feed
Cheaper than using half a box of pads though.
Johnsons were always my favourites.

whittywan · 18/06/2010 20:08

The Lansinoh ones are fantastic, really big and super absorbent, however, they contain the same stuff as disposable nappies and Iam super allergic to them. I've since found out that many people are allergic to them so don't do what I did and buy a bulk lot of them before you've tried them

cece · 18/06/2010 20:11

Tommy Tippee ones for me.

cece · 18/06/2010 20:13

BTW I have not worn them for a while now but then DS2 is 13 months! LOL. Think I stopped needing them at about 8 months or so!

RhinestoneCowgirl · 18/06/2010 20:14

Oddly I am much more leaky 2nd time round, getting letdown on the side I wasn't feeding on, in fact it still sometimes happens now that DD is 18 months. One thing that you can do is to use the heel of your hand to press into the breast over the nipple, while you feed on the other side. Applying some pressure seems to stop the unwanted leaking during feeds.

Although I think at 3 weeks I was still squirting about all over the place (sorry!) and used to wedge a folded up muslin in my bra on the non-feeding side, It did calm down fairly quickly though...

undercovamutha · 18/06/2010 20:17

Tommee Tippee the best. HATED the washable ones, but found the large Boots ones nearly as good as the TT ones, but a bit cheaper.

I needed to use them until I stopped bfing, as I would leak (on the other side IYSWIM)when feeding.

corblimeymadam · 18/06/2010 20:20

This reply has been deleted

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katiepotatie · 18/06/2010 20:21

another fan of Tommee Tippee here, although boot slimline, and Tesco slimline wwere both good too

PotPourri · 18/06/2010 20:21

Still leaking tonnes between feeds and espec from other side when feeding. I use cloth ones as I have had thrush for months. Lansinoh were the best disposibles, but i think they may have contributed to my thrush in the first place!

mnistooaddictive · 18/06/2010 20:21

tescos own brand same as TT ones but much cheaper. I had massive leakage and they were great!