Reusable/washable Nursing Pad Recommendations

Hello Amber,

I had the same concerns as you did about spending extra money. I also didn't want to add to the landfills. I know this sounds different, but I used hanker chief's. It worked great. I never really had a B. problem with leaking, but when I did, I noticed it never came through my shirt. I folded the hanker chief into a square that would fit evenly in the cup of my bra. I never had any problems and would do it all over again this way! It's a one time cost and MUCH cheaper!! Hope this helps!

Hugs
C.

Honestly, I simply used inexpensive maxi pads cut in half (cut side up) and put those inside my reusable ones, as those never seemed to help when I leaked! I also stuck them directly to my bra depending on what bra I was wearing and what type of shirt, so it didn't look awkward on the outside. They absorbed well, so they worked great and were inexpensive.

Wow, looks like I am in the minority here. I swear by reusable! The first ones I tried were hand-me downs, then terry cloth ones. Both leaked through and were really bulky and kind of itched. I almost gave up. I tried the disposable and they irritated my nipple so bad, they were off in 5 minutes.

Then I was told about a place in Nampa, Idaho called Puffy Mondaes. They have some amazing, thin reusable pads that have a water resistant layer that goes against the bra. Even with my heavy leaking, the only time I leaked through was during full nights, or right after a dropped feeding, and then I would just wear two if needed. They are about $12 for 2 pairs and I think I got a total of 10 pairs - about $60, and that worked great. I will be reusing them again soon, so $60 for 14 months of nursing was great, and I will probably double that time again. The link that I put on here shows the layer that goes against the bra, and although you don't really see it, as it is against the breast, there are lots of colors to choose from.

Also, if you have any damage like I did, these are so much less likely to stick. If you do use any nipple creams, you will want to strip them occasionally with dawn dish soap. You also don't want to use fabric softener, as that can make the absorbent part water resistant.

http://www.puffymondaes.com/store/index.php/cloth-diapers...

I don't know if you can order online yet, but last I hear (almost 2 years ago, you can call, and they will ship it to you.)

Oh, and a note about the lillypadz. I have heard that they are great, but if the seal breaks, you can have a pool of milk spill out. Also, they don't really let your nipple breath. Don't get me wrong, I haven't used them myself, but I have heard that they aren't great for everyday use.

I tried them all and I never found any that worked well OR couldn't be seen under my shirt.
I went right back to Lansinoh! Yes it does suck to spend so much, but it was worth it in the end...
Good luck finding something that works!

I leaked SO bad so here is what I did. I did not select a particular brand for reusable (any one of them was fine) however the trick for me was the bra. I did not use a nursing bra I used Fruit of the Loom padded bra. It takes a bit to get used to unhooking and such to nurse, however, once you get the hang of it I found it to be easier. The best part is, if you leak the bra will catch it. I have never leaked through to my shirt.

Good luck!

Don't do it!! I tried just about every brand of reusables out there and none of them worked like the Lansinohs. They were expensive, yes, but well worth every penny. The reusables were uncomfortable (itchy and scratchy) and lasted about 15 minutes for me. Stick with the Lansinoh and be thankful you found them early!

Lilypadz are the absolute best. I bought 2 pair. They run around $20.00 a pair. They are silicone and they suction to your breast and stop the leaking. All you do is wash them and let them dry and you can use them again.

I had gotten some Gerber reusable ones upon advice of other moms I worked with.

I used them once and switched back to the disposable ones. I liked the lansinoh ones but really found all of them to work about the same. As time went on I was able to use them less and less and less and eventually, despite still exclusively nursing, didn't need them at all.

I hated the disk on the breasts look from nursing pads. So, I started wearing a tank top under everything that I could pull down easily and not have such a distinct, "Oh, you're a nursing Mom" look.

Good luck.

I'm pretty stuck on Lansinoh pads, too, because they are discreet and work so well, but I know several moms who swear by Lily Padz.
You may not leak heavily for the entire time you are breastfeeding; it can vary from baby to baby so you're not necessarily doomed to cough up for so many pads every month forever. Many mothers stop leaking when their babies are a few months old.
If you asked this question at a La Leche League meeting, you'd get lots of helpful answers. Find your local group at www.llli.org and "find local help/resources." All their services are free, and if you couldn't attend a meeting, you could just call up your local LLL Leader and ask what other moms in your area do.
Consider surfing around on LLL's site and maybe even at Mothering.com to check out comments, reviews and ads for nursing pad products. For both budget and environmental reasons, you're not the only one looking for a reusable alternative.
Congrats on your growing family and nursing relationship!

Amber,
I really liked my Lansinoh (Or maybe Dr. Brown) Washable nursing pads. The ones I liked best had a lace outer side to them and a very soft cotton for the inside. Super absorbent and looked nice too. Although I am not a very leaky person.... so I don't know how they'd fair that way, sorry. Most folks that know you have a baby assume that you ARE breastfeeding so there really is no B. deal ;) You could also, just an idea, try a full insert with nursing pad underneath, though this would give you B. boobies!! I'm sure you've probably got plenty because you're nursing though!! Good luck!

V.

Lily Padz are AWESOME!!!

You've already gotten a lot of advice for specific pads so I won't repeat what others have said but I just wanted to add that as someone who leaked A LOT and was allergic to disposable pads, I found the "push back" method ideal to stop excessive leaking. I also had a very strong let down tingle so I knew when I was about to leak - not sure if that applies to you or not. Anyway, when I would feel the tingle, I would just bring my palms up to my breasts and push on my nipples firmly and it would stop the urge to dispense milk right away! Hope this helps while you continue your search!

I would give Johnson's nursing pads a try. I tried about 4 different brands, a couple re-useable ones and I just couldn't really ever get it right. Johnson's were so soft and were cheap compared to other brands. I think $7 for 100? Something like that. I never had luck with the re-useable ones because I could never keep up with the laundry on them and I leaked to much for them to be effective. Good Luck!

with my first baby i used the disposable ones and then for some reason i also decided to save money and use the reusables. tried several brands and had to change them every hour or less it seemed. so i went right back to the disposable, wasn't worth the hassle, it's also a pain, i suppose unless you get 50 of them, to keep up with the washing.

Some people really like the Lily Padz...they are nice and thin and are supposed to compress the nipple to prevent leaking...they didn't work super well for me, but I know lots of moms swear by them!

Have you considered lily padz? They are a silicone nursing pad that actually puts pressure on your nipple so you don't leak. Even when I was leaking a TON they would keep it all inside the pad. My sister gave them to me with my first and they are so much more comfortable than other nursing pads. And the best part is that you don't look like you are wearing nursing pads when you go out.
they're about $20, but I had only used 2 pair for each child.
I hope you find something that works!

Honestly, Lansinoh was the only thing I found that worked. And I tried all the other regular brands.

I also got to where I didn't need them even though I was exclusively nursing. I liked the Lily Pad kind. i got some cheaper at Target. I don't remember the brand. They really were for concealing when you don't want to wear a bra, but as long as I wasn't missing a meal, they worked well, and didn't show. If I wore a pad, and I don't remember what ones I liked, I usually wore a tight tank top to help conceal the lines. I had some nice ones that were really thing and didn't show. If I missed a meal, I had to have extras with me, though. Congratulations!