Breast pads, nursing bras, maternity pads, muslin squares...

[marilla]

What are your recommendations for breast pads, nursing bras and maternity pads? Shops and /or makes? I'm particularly interested to know if the supermarket own breast pads and maternity pads are ok. Anyone tried the blooming marvellous nursing bras? Does anyone sell muslin squares for a reasonable price?

If you are planning to breastfeed, make sure you have a savoy cabbage in the fridge

i agree with crunchie - savoy cabbage when youre BF are fab as they really cool down your tender nipples!!

You made me laugh oliveoil!! Now I know I'm going to sound such a first timer here but do the savoy cabbage leaves have to be wet???? Really looking forward to all this....

Natural Birth Centre does lovely comfy nursing bras-no seams so very kind to tender nipples.

Nope just cold. Savoy cabbage is the best as it's shape is perfect and the leaves kinda cup your boobs. Just tuck them inside the bra if your boobs ache. BTW it leaves your boobs looking really weird with a cabbagy pattern all over it

DON'T get washable breastpads! I surged and fountained through mine instantly. Johnsons best IMO. But I am Daisy the cow.

MI, I too was a surging fountainer and found washables better than disposables. Never tried Johnsons though! Used Avent washables - might try Lansinoh ones next time - or has anyone used those rubbery ones?

'surge and fountain'! psml

Johnsons superior breastpads, imo. maternity bras - have a couple of cheapo but fine mothercare ones which lasted the distance (through 2 pregnancies). pads - allways mega long i think they were the purple or blue ones for night time. get loads. and big, dark coloured knickers you don't mind throwing away. muslins john lewis, i even bought some the other week (my girls are 2 and 5) because i like cleaning my grubby face with them

Might have to go get a mix this weekend. At 37 weeks, I don't even have to SQUEEZE the hooters and they're already leaking like sieves.

you might not actually need that many breast pads. I used one. No surging or fountaining here. So a huge pack of nice soft Boots breast pads in the bin - wish I hadn't bought so many tbh, I could have sent dp out for more if needed .

I found Sainsbury's maternity pads fine - you only need them for the first few days (and if your waters break at home). After that you can use normal nighttime pads.

M&S nursing bras are ok but mine are really grey and crap looking - wish I'd bought fancier ones.

Hunkermunker - I have huge boobs too and at 34 weeks they are only going to get bigger! are the BM bravado bras any good? I like the idea of them being adjustable as I seem to up a few cup sizes in the course of a day!

I've never bothered with maternity pads, it's bad enough without sitting with a pillow between your legs! Super/nightime slim ones are fine and just as absorbant.

You may need loads of breastpads (or none at all once you settle down), in which case get washable ones - but do put them in a little string bag before you wash them or they stuck in the filter!!! (voice of experience here!)

If you really flow with milk (I always do from the side I'm not feeding from in the first few weeks) take advantage and save the milk in sterilised breast shells (NOT shields) sold in Boots about 2 for a fiver. You can then pour it in a bottle and freeze it when you've got a day worth.

Washable breastpads, much nicer. Elle McPherson nursing bras - bliss. Maternity pads - have blanked from my memory. Not my favourite part of being a mother.