Every breastfeeding mom knows the frustration.
You’re away from the house, and for a rare moment, your baby isn’t with you. However, you hear another baby cry in the grocery store, and the milk is flowing suddenly.
Nursing pads, also called breast pads, inserted into a nursing bra can make all the difference in these moments, and you may even have gotten samples in the mail during your pregnancy. If you leaked colostrum, you may have used those samples before your baby was born!
However, there are several types of nursing pads. So which type is right for you?
Disposable Nursing Pads
Disposable nursing pads can be made of various materials, from cotton to bamboo fiber. Some have sticky strips to attach to the inside of your bra, while others rely on the smugness to stay in place.
Many of them come from brands you’ll already be familiar with, like Lansinoh and Medela, both of which sell various other nursing products.
Advantages:
The most significant advantage of disposable nursing pads is that you don’t have to wash them. Use them and throw them away. If you’re nursing or pumping away from home, you don’t have to transport damp pads until you return to your washing machine.
Another advantage, especially in the early days, is that they’re not a significant investment, so if you hate the first brand you try, you can try another pretty quickly. Also, you may get a few types as samples during pregnancy.
Also, they’re likely to be on the shelf at your local grocery store, while some other options may have to be purchased from stores that focus more on baby needs or ordered online.
Disadvantages:
Disposable pads are not as environmentally conscious as reusable types.
Some women also find that they’re less comfortable or that some types “bunch up” inside their bra.
Reusable Cloth Nursing Pads
Reusable cloth nursing pads are made of some of the same fabrics as disposable ones, including cotton and bamboo. However, the disposable variety won’t hold up to washing, while these cloth pads can be tossed in your washer and reused repeatedly.
You can buy these from brands like Bamboobies and Momcozy, or find them from small businesses and moms who sew them at home. However, if you choose to buy from independent sellers, use caution. Check the fabrics used and the reviews.
Advantages:
The primary advantage of cloth nursing pads is that they’re reusable. You don’t need a new pack every week or so, and if you run out, you can do laundry rather than running to the store.
That’s also a big bonus if you’re trying to be eco-conscious and limit what you toss into landfills.
Many women also find them more comfortable. They can be softer, while some disposable brands can be stiff.
Another bonus: if you’re into sewing, you can make your own. Or, if you are a fan of supporting petite business moms, you can buy from one.
This makes them nearly infinitely customizable since you can choose any fabric print you like. You may be the only person to see them, but sometimes, picking a print that makes you feel good is lovely anyway.
Disadvantages:
These do have to be washed, which can be more inconvenient, especially for households that rely on a shared laundry room or a laundromat.
There’s also a bit more initial expense, although you save money in the long run. (The pack pictured above has 8 pads for about $15; a pack of disposables can be around $8 for 100.) You’ll probably also want to buy a mesh bag so they don’t get lost in the wash.
You’ll also want to be careful about fabrics. Some of the favored fabrics for homemade pads — like flannel, for instance — can cause itching or chafing for some people, while others find them more comfortable.
Also, if you need to change pads while you’re away from home, you’ll want to have a wet bag or sandwich bag so they don’t get anything else in your bag wet—and definitely don’t forget a damp one in your diaper bag or pocketbook!
Silicone (Reusable)
Silicon pads are a little different. Instead of absorbing leakages, they’re designed to prevent breast milk from leaking.
They are lauded for specific uses where disposable or cloth pads aren’t as viable, like going braless or swimming.
Advantages:
Because the pad is designed to use pressure to prevent leaking, there’s no milk to clean up. The pad must not be thrown away or run through a washer.
The silicone pads are sticky so that they can be worn without a bra. They work for strapless tops and swimsuits and prevent leakage in the pool.
They’re reusable, and you only need one set.
Disadvantages:
These are definitely more expensive for the first buy — about $20 per pair. They’re also supposed to be washed daily with water and LilyWash, which Amazon currently lists at about $6 per bottle.
A few women in the reviews say they’ve had a little leakage with these, and others say they can be painful to peel off for washing.
The box promises the silicone pads will last about 2 months. Some reviewers say that’s a short life for the price; others say theirs didn’t last that long.
Some reviewers say they’re annoying during nursing since you need to find somewhere to put the one that’s currently removed without it sticking to furniture.
Gel Nursing Pads (Disposable)
Gel nursing pads, like these Soothies from Lansinoh, are also a bit more niche.
However, instead of making fashion and swim more convenient, they are all about soothing so that sore nipples don’t bring your breastfeeding plans to an abrupt end.
They can be reused for up to 72 hours before they should be tossed. They aren’t intended to be a permanent substitute for other pads, just a temporary replacement during painful times. A package of four (two pairs) costs about $10.
Advantages:
These are super soothing if you’re dealing with chapped or sore nipples, especially early in breastfeeding when it’s still new. For that purpose, it beats creams and ointments that rub off.
Though they feel like a gel, they’re still absorbent and good for a few days of leaks.
They can be refrigerated before use for extra soothing.
They stick, but not in a way that pulls your healing skin when you remove them.
Disadvantages:
They do have a sticky feel that not everyone likes.
Though they’re priced more like reusable, each pair only lasts 3 days, so they’re just for use when sore and tender.
Some users say that the stickiness and the soothing were not as long-lived as advertised (others differ).