Reusable post partum pads?

[Triskaidekaphilia]

I purchased some boots postpartum pads as have heard they are the best and comfiest. But having had to use one the other day for discharge to check it wasn't waters, I have been reminded that pads really irritate my bits which will be the last thing I need when that area is trying to heal! For periods I have used a mooncup for nearly 10 years, before that I would stick to tampons and occasionally very cottony panty liners that tended not to irritate like full pads did. I think reusables may be my best option. It's money I didn't expect and can't really afford to spend so would like opinions before going for it!

Ooh no advice but also interested in any recommendations! Am considering reusable panty liners now too if anyone has suggestions for those.

Hmm... the only thing I'd be concerned about is whether the reusable pads are made out of anything that would stick to a wound/stitches. Reusable could potentially work well, or it could be a case of 'out of the frying pan, into the fire'!

I have got some from honour your flow, think I got the slim mega ones based on my pre-pregnancy size. Haven’t used them yet but they look like they should be big enough! I have used HYF pads for years and prefer the cotton velour over the fleece topped ones, it stays softer after washing.
They are fairly expensive tbf (~£11 each) but I am assuming I will carry on using the massive pads as night pads when my periods return.

I got through about a pad every hour or two to begin with. You don't want that many reusables!

I think more expensive/organic ones like natracare are less irritating

I used adult incontinence pads and the netty pants. They're odourless and never irritated me, and you use far less of them than you would the pads. I can't think of anything worse than having to wash used maternity pads!

Thank you all for some good points. It certainly isn't my first choice due to how many I would need and the fact I don't use pads in general (obviously may feel different if my periods change after having baby). I may look into the organic disposables. I feel like if it feels more cottony it'd work better.

I'm all for reusables in general, and use a mooncup and/or washable pads for periods. But I do think postpartum bleeding is a different kettle of fish and a time when disposables really are the best option. I was just getting through so many in the early days it would have been impossible to keep up with the laundry!

I’m like you, I hate pads. They irritate me & get on my nerves.

However, post birth, I was so flipping sore down their that pads were the least of my concerns. In fact, if anything the padding felt quite comfortable! And I felt secure the bleeding wasn’t going to leak which was most important.

I think I was lucky post birth.. I bled a fair bit the first 2/3 days but afterwards not much at all. I only needed the thick pads for a week and even then, by day 5, I could have switched to a regular towel. I did indeed switch to regular, ‘cotton’ soft pads in week 2 and then about week 3, I switched to pantry liners just to catch the continued spotting. Not sure why I bled so little, I had a surgical forceps birth, if that makes any difference?!

I think the idea of having to wash pads whilst also caring for a newborn and recovering from birth might just have pushed me over the edge. If for any reason you needed to stay a bit longer in hospital you would be really stuck. I don’t think they are practical, I’m afraid.

Boots pads have been my go to post birth and I also hate pads! I sprayed them with spritz for bits and it's been so soothing and cooling I'd recommend trying that.

Some of the comments here make it sound like I actually WANT to use them I fully understand why reusables would be a nightmare but I'm still struggling for an alternative.

I'd like to do the same as you @Bol87 but I guess it depends what kind of flow I end up with.

I've found some that have a cotton top layer but only online so I don't know if they'd arrive in time (already past my due date). The boots ones I have are nice and soft but they have a bit of a synthetic feel, which I think leads to sweating, then the itching and pain. I might also look into incontinence pads as @CellarFloor mentioned.

Worth a try @qj17 as I am going to get some of that stuff anyway :)

I wore the pads for a few hours each on Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thurs/Fri I was convinced I had thrush! Thankfully it now seems fine so more just a prolonged reaction.