Nursing Pads

Nursing Pads

The early months of nursing never go by without notice, and by notice, I mean leaking milk stains on your shirts. Milk stains announce to the world, “Hey, I’m nursing, look at me!” In order to avoid those special “look at me” moments, you’ll want to invest in some quality nursing pads.

Nursing pads are absorbent barriers between your breasts and your bra. It prevents milk from leaking through the fabric of your bra, and through to your shirt. Nursing pads are a must have for many nursing mothers, because it just makes you feel more secure, knowing that your milk won’t leak through.

I say “many” because not all nursing moms need pads. Some moms don’t leak much, or find that simply holding the heel of their hand against their nipple when nursing on the other side is enough to stop leaking. Leaking is not necessarily a sign that you have more milk than another woman who doesn’t leak. And if you suddenly stop leaking, that doesn’t always mean your milk supply has dropped either. When your body gets more finely tuned and accustomed to your baby’s ebb and flow and nursing pattern, you leak less. Your breasts store less milk inbetween nursings and get better at sending fresh milk on tap when needed!

If you need them though, there are several different types of nursing pads.

The first type is disposable. It’s made from a gauze-type material with cotton absorbent material inbetween, and it’s meant to be thrown away after each use. You can buy these pads in bulk at the maternity store. Many of these nursing pads have adhesive on the back, so that they can adhere to the nursing bra, preventing slipping.

I don’t recommend these unless they’re the kind made by Natracare. Disposable nursing pads, in addition to being more costly long term and not great for the environment, aren’t as comfortable as cloth pads. If they’re plastic backed they can trap too much heat and moisture and lead to yeast infection of the breast, called thrush.

The second type are the cloth nursing pads. These are a little more expensive than the disposable pads on the front end, but save money in the long term and can be passed on to another mother or used for a second baby later on. They are more cost effective in the end. If you choose to invest in washable nursing pads, make sure to buy those made with quality material that can withstand the amount of washing necessary.

You can find nursing pads made from organic cotton. These are especially soft and nice!

The third and final type is a reusable nursing pad made of silicone. The maker of this product is Lilypadz. It’s a remarkable product, because it literally stops the flow of the milk, not just absorb what has leaked.

Lilypadz work by adhering to the nipple directly, and creating a sort of suction, that prevents leaks. It is painless, and easy to use and clean.

A common concern is that using Lilypadz might increase the risk of mastitis. This concern is not valid in most cases, however, because many mothers use Lilypadz without it interfering or blocking their milk ducts.

Whatever nursing pad you choose, be sure to buy a test batch at first. This will help you determine what works best for you.