Reuseable breast pads

[BatCave]

Can anyone recommend any? What sort of things should I be looking for? How many should I buy?

I used disposable pads with DD1 but would like to try reuseable with this baby.

Thank you :)

I bought the bog standard cotton ones from the NCT shop, 3 in a pack I think so I got 9 pairs (I had a discount code and they were on sale). Never used anything else and they were fine. I had to change them frequently as I had oversupply issues and leaked a lot in the first few months but I just washed them with the muslins and other white baby stuff.

I got mine from Mothercare, washable breast pads

They came with a little mesh bag for when you put them in washing machine, which I liked.

With DS I bought disposable ones and didn't leak a drop in the whole 11 months I bf him for But just thought I'd get some washable ones in case I leak more with this DC.

I had the mothercare re-usable ones and they might be ok for a teeny teeny little drop, but I soaked them through in seconds... no good for a fast letdown!

The only things that ever did the trick for me were tommee tippee ones. Not re-usable at all, but only a few sets would see me through a day rather than 10 or so of the cheaper disposables.

I got some basic ones in boots which were fine. I'd just get a pack as you might not have leaky boobs, I hardly needed them the second time around... (plus found I was washing lots of white stuff due to baby anyway so they came through the washing pretty quick)

Back in Denmark I had some lovely merino wool pads with a silk liner. They were obviously meant for winter, but as I was prone to mastitis I also used them in the summer. They felt great and I never felt too hot unless of course it was a very hot day. Obviously they weren't cheap and you do need 2-3 pairs as they take a while to dry after hand washing in wool soap, but they were really worth it for me and I used them with both my kids.

I also had some cotton ones (standard) and they were not half as good, so I only used them on really hot days.

I got Boots. 6 pads per pack (plus little washing net thingy). I bought 3 packs cos Ds was 3 months and I was still soaking through disposable ones! I got through several per 24 hours, and did a machine wash every other day so I did need all 18

Supply calmed down from 6 months, but still leaked until DS was 8 months ish (only feeding morning and evening).

weenotions.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=320_312

Wee Notions Breast Pads. They have PUL layer so they don't leak, mega absorbent bamboo towelling, and can you can choose what you want next to your skin. I have Minky and is so so soft :)

I've got little lambs bamboo pads, they're great. Id definitely go for bamboo, very soft and very absorbent.

Awesome thanks for the ideas. I was a big leaker with DD! The wee notions ones look great and they have some other cool stuff too.

Can I ask.. Do the reuseable pads dry quickly?

I dry mine overnight (use 1pr a day), but they are near enough dry when they come out of the machine unless one is stuck in the seal in which case it is both soaking wet and minging

I tried all sorts when feeding my DD but I leaked profusely during the feed, so the only things that worked were disposables. However, for between feed leakage, before things settled down a bit in the first couple of wks, I found the Boots ones ok. The mothercare ones were way too thin.

I may look into some of the others here though for dc#2, as I used to get through SO many pads in a day at the beginning, reusables have surely got to work out cheaper & environmentally friendlier??!! Although the Asda ones were never that expensive...

I use the Avent ones and find that they're great during the day but not enough at night. They dry in a couple of hours and are way more comfortable than the disposable ones in my view.

Little Lambs bamboo pads. They have a breathable, waterproof inner layer and they come in black too

ChunkyChicken I used breast shells during feeds with DD as I had the same problem, they can be sterilised and milk used so bonus! You can buy them in boots.

Thanks Batcave I too used the breast shells, once I'd worked out how much milk was going to waste!! Plus, didn't really get on with expressing, so the shells meant I could actually make up feeds for when I wasn't around. :) Will be interesting to see if my boobs are different this time around

Do breast shells actually work? And how easy are they to use?

Another little lamb fan here they come in two different colours & sizes.

The Philips AVENT ones worked for me - just clean & sterilise & then slap them in your bra when feeding. I used to collect an oz or 2 every feed this way.

They worked well for me muslimah28 in fact they were a lifesaver as when I was engorged they eased it and helped lo latch easier. just don't do what I did and forget they were in, lean forward and spill the contents everywhere!

Will check out little lambs too, think I saw them on eBay. I'm half tempted to make my own mind!

Thanks I may look into that :)

Mscph1973 am still using my silk/wool ones, they are lovely!

Lilypadz worked really well for me, no leaks at all as your nipple is held in and no rubbing so kinder too. You can wash them in the shower so less faff, wear them under a Lycra vest at night so no need for a night bra and they are flat so can be worn under anything without leaving VBPL. They do loose their initial stickiness quite quickly but work quite well without that for between 6 to 12 weeks. You probably need two pairs as they are see through and if you drop them at night it is easier to have a spare to hand. They are not for everyone but were fab for me.

I did wonder about Lilypadz, MistyB, the only thing that puts me off is I'm not sure I like the idea of not letting your breasts leak, rather than let them le ak but absorb it, I had mastitis badly a few times. I'm not sure though, they do look convenient.

I had lilypadz for my best friend's wedding when I was bridesmaid wearing a strapless dress when DD was 7wks old (and I stuck them on over my nipples so I could have a spray tan for the same occassion, knowing DD wouldn't come anywhere be the chemicals that way!! My first & only spray tan...). I obviously couldn't give her her usual afternoon feed, so was worried about leaks. I had to use normal pads too, because despite the lilypadz apparently putting just enough pressure on to your boobs to stop leaks, I still did leak!! The padz just filled up with milk, so I suppose it didn't go on to my dress. I had to be careful when I took them off to feed DD though...

I didn't like the fact that they stop the leakage by putting pressure on, especially in the early weeks, as I feel like you should be building up your supply/allowing your body to develop its own cues iyswim. They were useful on the odd occassion though, as above. Absolutely useless during a feed too, as they'd just fill up with me! I wouldn't wear them overnight personally either, as fresh air is the best treatment for even the slightest sore nipple! Then after a while, my supply settled & I barely leaked during a feed, let alone between, so there was no need for pads at all. I think they might be useful if you don't leak much.

From a quick google, I think the jury is out on whether it might increase mastitis risk. I remember seeing some limited research which showed no increased risk of infections or reduced supply but I can't find that now. Not having sore nipples and allowing babies to nurse for as long as possible could quite possibly outweigh the risk but who knows....