Best Breast Pads

IamMom · #1 April 26th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Hey ladies - all these nursing posts got me thinking....what are the best breast pads....best for stopping leaking...not being noticable under clothes...don't have plastic lining...etc. I'm probably more into disposable than washable (I wore disposable with DS) and I just want to make sure I'm using the best ones - and you ladies know best!

Also - does any use nipple shields (or have you)....do you wait to get those only if you're having problems....I never used these with DS cause we had no latch issues and I had no soreness....

Thanks girls!

**Jenn** · #2 April 26th, 2009, 07:45 PM

I've never used or owned a nipple shield. Thankfully I've never had reason to. I think its one of those things you get if you have reason to need it or think you may have reason to need it.

I can't help you out on the nursing pads, I never used disposables--I hated them! I use washable ones my Mom made me out of cloth diapers. They work great for me!

soImarriedAnerd · #3 April 26th, 2009, 07:52 PM

I know "they" recommend only using nipple shield when you HAVE to use it.

I think resi or kate had some rave review breast pads...I got a couple free ones from a WAHM, not sure how well they work but OMG they feel great!

*Anna* · #4 April 26th, 2009, 08:08 PM

I leak all the time... and I bought Advent (?spelling) breast pads... 100 pack for $10 at BRU. They work good, and I use 2 new ones every day!!! Wil last me 50 days!!!

And never used shields... heard bad things if yo don'tneed it.

SandKmommy · #5 April 26th, 2009, 08:32 PM

I use the Gerber Ultra Thins I dont leak too badly unless I've missed a feeding, they are the same ones I used with Seamus too.

I do have to use a Contact Nipple shield and had to with Seamus too due to my breast shape, areola and nipple shape, never caused any issues with Seamus and so far working good. We tried getting Seamus to not use it and it never worked with my nipple issues and we've tried a few times and off and on for 2hrs with a LC with Kieran to see if she could not use one and it too failed (I try every once and a while to get her to go without it but its not successful)

Frozendesire · #6 April 26th, 2009, 09:47 PM

I leak LOTSSSS like loads. I found the only ones that worked were Lansinoh. They are big and can hold lots. I never had an issue seeing them under clothes. I always wear a tank top and then a shirt though. When you first put them on they might be visible but then they "soften" up and are invisible. (I think anyways!!).

Also I used a nipple shield with Curtis (was told I would NEVER be able to nurse with my flat nipples.. stupid nurse..) and it was HORRIBLE to get rid of. I would suggest only using it if you HAVE HAVE HAVE to! I thought I might need it this time and I bought one in advance. I ended up returning it (It was still in the sealed packaging so I thought I would try and they exchanged it for me). That's just my personal opinion. It can be helpful yes, but it's a huge pain to get rid of. Baby and you will get super used to it since it's pain free nursing with it

lauren in hi · #7 April 26th, 2009, 10:10 PM

i used a medela nipple shield briefly w/ abs and tried to use the avent ones w/ joshie but they never did work. if you have inverted nipples, i would suggest getting some medela breast shells and wearing them already since you're in your last tri. but i no longer need mine...joshie can latch okay now, yay.

i am using lilypadz reusable breast pads for overnight which i like b'c you don't need to wear a bra w/ them. and i have tried several brands of disposables. i think i like lansinoh the best b'c i haven't leaked w/ them yet. i've leaked through avent & medela.

#8 April 26th, 2009, 10:44 PM

I use Avent washable breast pads, but have Johnson & Johnson disposables for "just in case"

The only time I leak is if Kirsty happens to go 3-4 hours between feeds.... and cries

Mars · #9 April 27th, 2009, 03:45 AM

I've never used nipple shields.

As for breast pads, I'm a major leaker and soak through the reusables so I've stopped using those. I had bought Medela and Avent.

I've used Avent, Medela and another supermarket brand (can't remember the name) disposables and they all worked.

Avent disposables are nice, thick and cushiony. I found they really gave me comfort when my nipples were sore. If I'm going to be out almost the entire day, I use these.

Medela disposables are thin but they worked as well. I use these to travel with because they're individually wrapped and don't add too much bulkiness when your boobs are full. If I have a function to attend I usually use these.

The store brand I use at home and they're OK and cheap. They're made similarly to Avent but not as cushiony and well, they're not the best in quality but since I'm using about 4 disposables a day and they're going in the garbage, well, they do the job. I use these at home and when running quick errands like grocery shopping.

IamMom · #10 April 27th, 2009, 04:22 AM

Thanks ladies- I knew you'd have suggestions.

I doubt I'll need a breast shield - didn't even know what it was really and just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something I should have.

Are all these disposables without the plastic backing? I've heard plastic lining can give you an infection in the ta-ta's? I want to make sure I stock up on those without plastic backing?!

#11 April 27th, 2009, 05:00 AM

i've never known any type I've used to have plastic backing. I'VE ALSO TRIED OUT THE SUPERMARKET BRANDS OVER HERE IN THE UK.

oops sorry for the caps lol

Mars · #12 April 27th, 2009, 05:33 AM

None of the ones I've used had plastic backings.

Resi · #13 April 27th, 2009, 05:48 AM

I bought a couple washable pads but would leak right through them. I also bought the lily pads but leaked with them too. I mostly used medela pads. After 3 months I didn't need them anymore.

I did use the medela breast shields but we did not need them. He latched on well. I have no idea how we got on them. A nurse had me try them in the hospital. It did help a little with the soreness. I only used them when I thought I needed them and we were done with them after a couple weeks.

Oriyan · #14 April 27th, 2009, 06:01 AM

*booksmarks this for future use*

This thread is extremely helpful for us moms-to-be!

~Jess~ · #15 April 27th, 2009, 08:38 AM

I've nursed 3 kids and tried every kind of pad there is!

I found that the washable ones sold in stores are useless, they just don't absorb properly or fast enough.

Every disposable I tried I could see thru my shirt, looked like I had flying saucers on my nips. Plus, they'd feel wet and gross against my skin & I found myself changing them several times per day. Bad for the environment, bad for my wallet, and just plain inconvenient.

The best best best pads out there I didn't find until Alyssa. Makes me sad I missed out for so long. They're wool--you'd think they'd be scratchy--that's how I always think of wool, but they are soooo soft and comfy! They are lanacare pads with Ekstra (for strong letdown). They are antimicrobial so they self-clean as they dry. I only had to wash them about once every 2 weeks or so. They never felt cold or wet, and were impossible to see thru a shirt. That said, they cost around $25, but you only need 2 sets for your entire time nursing. That's about $50 or 5 boxes of disposables (which I was going thru like a mad woman!), so I still saved money. I also tried the lanacare softline ones to save money and they were crap, so don't try those ones if you leak a lot or have a strong letdown. I just used them as my overnight pair and the ekstra ones as my daytime ones.

LANACare Ekstra Wool Nursing Pads - Nurtured Family

ETA: if you go with these, do NOT buy the lanacare wool wash. It's overpriced. You can buy AMAZING woolie wash from www.eweneedit.com the scents are amazing, it's a purer form of lanolin, and it's less expensive! And did I mention the scents are AMAZING!!!!

soImarriedAnerd · #16 April 27th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Jess~

I've nursed 3 kids and tried every kind of pad there is!

I found that the washable ones sold in stores are useless, they just don't absorb properly or fast enough.

Every disposable I tried I could see thru my shirt, looked like I had flying saucers on my nips. Plus, they'd feel wet and gross against my skin & I found myself changing them several times per day. Bad for the environment, bad for my wallet, and just plain inconvenient.

The best best best pads out there I didn't find until Alyssa. Makes me sad I missed out for so long. They're wool--you'd think they'd be scratchy--that's how I always think of wool, but they are soooo soft and comfy! They are lanacare pads with Ekstra (for strong letdown). They are antimicrobial so they self-clean as they dry. I only had to wash them about once every 2 weeks or so. They never felt cold or wet, and were impossible to see thru a shirt. That said, they cost around $25, but you only need 2 sets for your entire time nursing. That's about $50 or 5 boxes of disposables (which I was going thru like a mad woman!), so I still saved money. I also tried the lanacare softline ones to save money and they were crap, so don't try those ones if you leak a lot or have a strong letdown. I just used them as my overnight pair and the ekstra ones as my daytime ones.

LANACare Ekstra Wool Nursing Pads - Nurtured Family

ETA: if you go with these, do NOT buy the lanacare wool wash. It's overpriced. You can buy AMAZING woolie wash from www.eweneedit.com the scents are amazing, it's a purer form of lanolin, and it's less expensive! And did I mention the scents are AMAZING!!!!

Ok I'm adding this as my first registry item! LOL but I need help with size--I'm busty (DD-now) but I only have the little nipples.....so what size would your say to go with? How big are they suppose to be?

your second link doesn't work BTW.

Are these the same thing? (These are $18 instead) 100% Merino Wool LANA Breast Pads - Original Style - Nursing Products - Cotton Babies Cloth Diaper Store

IamMom · #17 April 27th, 2009, 10:15 AM

Jess - awesome info - I think I'll splurge and get some too! Like Angela I am concerned about size. I wear a size B nursing bra - might I need the x-small? Boo.

Also - you can't wash them with regular detergent?

~*Bethy*~ · #18 April 27th, 2009, 12:19 PM

the best kind I liked were the target brand ones - they held A LOT!! they discontinued their brand and I bought the avent ones and I can say that after 5 or 6 hours of not changing the pads they stink!! Maybe it was just me...but it was raunchy...

~Beth

~Jess~ · #19 April 27th, 2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soImarriedAnerd

Ok I'm adding this as my first registry item! LOL but I need help with size--I'm busty (DD-now) but I only have the little nipples.....so what size would your say to go with? How big are they suppose to be?

your second link doesn't work BTW.

Are these the same thing? (These are $18 instead) 100% Merino Wool LANA Breast Pads - Original Style - Nursing Products - Cotton Babies Cloth Diaper Store

That's what I get for typing from memory instead of looking up the link. Looks like it's a hyena cart store: Ewe Need It Online Shop

My bbs are size E right now and the mediums were slightly too big. The small fits perfectly.

I haven't tried the regular ones, just the "softline" and the "with ekstra." I do have quite a powerful letdown though, so the ekstra were perfect for me...