breast pads

[feekerry]

Just thinking about hospital bag and essentials i'll need for afterwards. Will I def need breast pads and if so which type are best? Seem to be different types. How many will I need and for how long after birth? Planning to breast feed exclusively. What do I actually do with breast pads more to the point!

They're to stop you leaking through your top!

I used tommee tippee ones as they were half price at the time so stocked up!

You won't really need them for a standard hospital stay, as your milk won't arrive until day 3-5 postnatal (day of birth = day 0). It's the milk leaking out that the breast pads are designed to help.
I found Johnsons and Lansinoh ones the best. Tommee Tippee & Sainsburys own brand were pretty crap IMO.
Good luck, hope BF goes well

Some people don't need breast pads - I bf DS until he was almost a year old and didn't leak! Had bought a huge pack of breastpads which really went to waste....

I think it might be good to buy a small pack to start off with, or a less expensive pack.

I bought lots...never used any.

okay thanks. if it turns out i do need them will i need them for as long as i breast feed or is it something that settles down after few days/weeks/months?

I think that differs from woman to woman too - get a few in, if you need them then you can get more, and if you don't then you've not wasted a lot of money.

Johnsons do the trick and are cheaper than the Lansinoh ones. I had them for as long as I breast fed although less towards the end when the breastfeeding was winding down.

Lanisoh are the best in my opinion, have 2 sticky bits on them which keeps them secure in your bra (tommee tippee and lots of others only have one sticky bit and its a pain when they come lose and you have only got one hand free as the other is holding your baby and you are trying to put your other boob back and the pad moves or sticks to your boob...)

i needed them from before i had DS, as was leaking at night, and still use them now (still BF at 14 months). don't leak like i used to, but i wouldn't dare go anywhere without them re embarrassment factor!

and i would pack them as you can't guarantee you will only be in there a short while. I planned a home birth, ended up with an EMCS and a 5 day stay in hospital! Plans don't always work!