Disposable or reusable breast pads?

[Lottie37]

Hi

I'm completely new to breastfeeding and would like to try it when daughter is born in August.

What is best to buy please, reusable or disposable ones? And what are the best brands to buy?

Thank you

I breastfed four babies and never needed them so I haven’t bothered buying any this time.

I was gifted both disposable and reusable and barely touched the disposable. The sticky bit didn’t stick well and plus they weren’t as comfortable as the reusable ones ! So 100% reusable !!!

Can only comment on disposables as haven’t used washable ones (really wish I had) I’ve had the Boots slim disposable ones a few times and they are awful - they are like having bits of paper in your bra

The Tesco own brand disposable ones are the comfiest ones I’ve used.

Reusable all the way.
You can pick up lovely bundles of second hand ones on eBay.

How are they with larger cup sizes? I'm currently around an E, normally a GG (thanks expanding rib cage for the need to buy new bras 🙄) & just wondering if it makes a difference to how effective the pads are/how well they fit?

I leaked so much only lansinoh disposables worked for me. After a couple of months reusable ones were ok in the day.

You're lucky if you don't particularly need them! I spent a lot of time feeling damp and fiddling with scrunched up breast pads (both plasticky or soggy material! )

You won't know till you start, so buy small pack of each.

I’d only buy a couple and see if you need them? I also never leaked and breastfed four children. I also was not a SAHM, but worked full time from age 3 MOs onwards and even with having to delay or skip pumping due to meetings, I still never leaked.

Not everyone leaks. You don’t want to buy in a massive stack of something you may never need,

Disposables for me, specifically lansinoh. Although I agree with PP that the amount of packaging on them is disgraceful. I've never had an issue with them coming unstuck and moving around, they can hold an impressive announce of milk and they have a blue core thing like sanitary towels do to absorb the moisture away from your skin so they don't feel damp.

I tried Tesco disposables but they stay really damp and I ended up with dermatitis. Tried some reusable bamboo ones but they stuck to my nipples 😭 plus they're really bulky so unless you're wearing padded/moulded bras you're going to see them through your clothes. And I don't think they can hold anything like as much liquid as the lansinoh disposables.

I tried Tesco disposables but they stay really damp and I ended up with dermatitis. Tried some reusable bamboo ones but they stuck to my nipples 😭 plus they're really bulky so unless you're wearing padded/moulded bras you're going to see them through your clothes. And I don't think they can hold anything like as much liquid as the lansinoh disposables

This was my experience. I leak ... like, a lot. Reusables were only okay after a year or so, when things dried up more or less. They do show throw professional clothing and do not hold as much liquid as good quality disposables.

Tesco disposables were the worst though. The sticky backing never worked for very long and had no wicking tech. Go with a better brand.

i used re-usable ones, whilst i was feeding on one boob the other used to leak 🙈 Had 3 or 4 pairs as i was constantly washing them! Mine weren't branded, just from Amazon.

The reusable ones I have are lanisoh and close pop in, they are identical I would say. I have 8 pairs now which seem a good amount to allow a few spare changes, some in the wash and spare pair in changing bag in case. They come out of the washing machine almost dry btw.

I got these amazon cheapies and they’ve been great:
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X5TBZPV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_image&tag=mumsnetforu03-21
(Large breasts & i leak a lot to whichever pp asked).

I'm surprised about how many people had a bad experience with Tesco disposables. I used Tesco disposable breast pads and maternity pads after birth 5 years ago and had no problems at all, they were brilliant I found.

I used reusable and threw in the wash with the white wash. (Never separates baby clothes either). I had disposables for the first couple of weeks when you leak a lot

I bought some of each but it was a waste of money as I never needed them, never leaked. You may want to wait and see if you actually do need them.
Or buy reusables and then use them in place of cotton wool pads for cleansing your face, or use them for baby bum wiping.