I am looking into buying some nursing pads, but there are so many to choose from. I had a variety of disposable ones from my son, and only remember that some were ok and others were not, but I cannot remember which ones I actually preferred! I do remember liking the fact that one brand had them individually wrapped, for tossing into the diaper bag, but I don't even remember the quality of the actual nursing pad. I never tried a washable one, but am not against them by any means. I was even thinking of making some . . . but not sure if it is worth it.
What type of nursing pads did you like? Disposable or washable, and what brand? If you did not like a specific brand to the extreme, please let me know as well, so I can possibly avoid that one. Contoured or regular circles? Have you ever made your own?
Thanks for any and all suggestions!
I preferred Lanisoh and the Ultra Soft (may have to find online) the most. I did also use Medela washable ones when I was tender and layered them with the Medela disposables when I was leaking badly - Medela aren't as soft as Lanisoh, but soak up a lot. I did not prefer any of the other brands. Oh, and I did get Lillypadz for swimming which worked great.
I always leaked through the disposable ones. The last time I bought washable ones from Babies R Us. I don't remember the brand, but they were made from organic cotton I think. I bought two packs, so a total of 20 I think. It was very easy to just add them to the wash instead of trying to get to the store.
Washable. Can't remember brand or specifics. Never would think of making them but that's a great idea.
For my son I liked the idea of washable better. Better for the environment and my wallet! But then I bought a nursing bra that came with a few samples of disposable ones and they were contoured, while my washable ones were not. MUCH more comfortable for me! I still used the washable, since I had them already, but kept an eye out for contoured ones and never found them. But that was almost 9 years ago. And I really didn't knock myself out looking. I guess it wasn't THAT important to me. Had a few other things keeping me busy :)
For my daughter, I had a friend give me almost a whole box that she had only used a few from (disposable) so I just used those. My body also regulated itself much more quickly with her, so I didn't need them as long. Just tossed a few in the diaper bag after a while just in case I went for a while between feedings. I don't remember the brand, but they were contoured. It may depend on your shape as well to see what kind fits you best.
i loved Lilly Padz. They are silicone reuseable.
I used the Avent ones with my first child because they were thick and absorbed so very well. Since then they have changed their product and now it's thin and awful. I've tried Medela and a couple of others but they all have plastic backings and they make too much noise when I move around and make me feel like I'm wearing a diaper on my boobs! I found some organic washable ones at Buy Buy Baby and I love them. I have a box of disposable ones but only for the diaper bag and in an emergency situation.
I liked the feel of the cotton washable ones against my skin but I always leaked through so I put a disposable on top of that. I usually bought Lansinoh.
I've always used the Lansinoh disposable pads. They do come individually wrapped so are good for taking along. I liked that they were contoured and fairly thin so weren't obvious under clothes and have a little bit of adhesive so they don't migrate even when opening/closing your bra. I tried the washable Gerber ones but they didn't stay in place well and showed through really bad. I also used the Lily Padz when I went out without the baby. They're easy to conceal under very lightweight things (I used to wear them under leotards with no bra and you couldn't tell) and they do prevent leaking (unless you go way past your feeding time and then I don't think there's any stopping the leak!) but you have to remove them completely to feed and I never knew what to do with them when I was out and about.
I liked Lanisoh for disposible, because they are thinnest and were least likely to show under a shirt. They are individually wrapped.
I had some cotton washables that were very comfortable. I liked those as well because they felt nicer, but they were thicker and were more obvious under a shirt. But, then I got thrush and they were impossible to use - you have to change nursing pads every few hours and wash them with bleach and hot water before you can use them again and I just couldn't keep enough of them clean every day.
Word of caution about the contoured ones, for nipples - I discovered (at work one day) that the contours were very clearly pronounced through my silk blouse. (o.m.g!) Hense, my preference for the flat ones (eg Lanolin brand makes some)
