Washable Vs Disposable Nursing Pads

victoria+james · September 2014

Which do you prefer? Any particular brand?

Raesofsunshine1 · September 2014

I used disposable last time and considered washable because it can get expensive buying disposable. I leaked a lot tho-especially at night and its just kind of gross. Ill be using disposables again.

PC0909 · September 2014

I like washable for overnight, but disposable during the day.

ashie0610 · September 2014

I loved the Lansinoh disposables.

MsMacual · September 2014

I didn't really leak so I maybe used 10 disposable ones. I would have invested in milkies if I actually leaked. My advice is to start with disposalbe ones until you know if you'll need them and then invest in the washable ones.

noellemari · September 2014

With my first I only used disposables but thought is try the washable with my second. I leaked right though the washables. It was like wearing nothing.

. So I'm going to back to disposables!

crystal8503 · September 2014

I used washable but always had a few disposable in my diaper bag just in case.

crystal8503 · September 2014

I really didn't leak much and primarily used them in the beginning, whenever I was super engorged, and always at night because I'm a belly sleeper and usually ended up leaking most then. The Bamboobies brand talky have me a ton of relief because it prevented my bra from rubbing on my nips.

pushgal84 · September 2014

Di_126 said:
I used disposable when I went out of the house and washable at home. It might not be the case for all of them, but the washable ones were more noticeable under my shirts.

I can't comment on the visibility of the washables, but the rest is my plan. I think the washable pads would be more comfortable if I have any pain, but can't imagine toting around used milk soaked pads outside the house. I'd rather throw them away once I need to change them.

FYI, I picked up a 4pk, 2 pairs, of Madela washable pads from Burlington that included a bag for laundering for about $5.

raynes · September 2014

I feel like I leaked for.ev.ar so washables worked well for me. I got a set of Bamboobies (both the daytime and nighttime ones) and used them forever.

I used disposables in the beginning and might again. Or maybe not, but I'll definitely keep some on hand. I also like the Lansinoh ones.

JayneMouse · September 2014

I tended toward oversupply and overactive letdown with my first two and assume that this one will be the same. Last time around I really liked Bamboobies I'd just thrown them in a mesh bag and wash them with the baby clothes.

sheluvs2travel · September 2014

I read somewhere that most people prefer disposables, so that's what I am getting. I plan to use up my FSA money and try a couple of different brands. I also heard really good things about the cooling gel ones you put in the fridge, so I plan on trying those out too.

meggiev123 · September 2014

I also loved the bamboobies washable pads. I used disposable in the beginning and they were fine, but I leaked the whole year I BF and after a few months got sick of wasting so much money on the disposables and having to run to the store because i realized too late I was running low.

Eelyak2 · September 2014

I wasn't really a leaker. I used maybe 10 disposable pads the whole time. Most of it was just out of paranoia!

Eelyak2 · September 2014

My sister found a super easy tutorial on Pintrest to make her own though, and loved them!

MollyC20 · September 2014

Disposable for the first few months when I leak ALOT, then washable when my milk supply settles down!!

BBBrady · September 2014

I didn't really leak a lot, but the disposables felt like sandpaper on the nips so I liked the washables much better. And most of the time I didn't care if I leaked because I was covered in milk all the time anyway. Bf is messy lol

SusieBW · September 2014

Washable. I never had a problem with them being visible through my shirt/bras, and I always carried extras in a zippy bag, plus a zippy bag for the wet ones, in case I needed to change them when I was out. I washed them in a mesh lingerie bag. I forget what brand I had, but I'm planning to use the same ones again.

BeanNut · September 2014

I said washable because I hate creating a lot of extra trash. But for the first few days/weeks, I may use disposable because things can be really wet and messy lol. Washables are better IMO when you are leaking less.

JJsMum · September 2014

Like a couple PPs, I use disposables (Lansinoh were my fav) at first, until my supply regulates. I tend to oversupply and over active let down at first. Sometimes I'd need to change them every hour. Then I switch to washable (bamboobies). I would leak occasionally even after things were established and the washable were more comfortable. I also didn't do/ want to do a whole lot of laundry for the first couple of weeks, more important things on my mind

crystal8503 · September 2014

Di_126 said:

Okay spinoff question:

PPs who used bamboobies. Which ones did you get? I've never used them and see that they are in a few different styles. The hearts? Can you see them easily through shirts?

I felt like the nighttime ones were visible under my shirt if I was wearing something more fitted and opted to only use those at night. The heart shaped ones are actually shaped that way to form best to your boob to keep from showing. I got the large pack that includes both daytime and nighttime since I like using both. Be sure to google for any discounts because they typically have a sale of some sort. I was able to get a free pair and a large multi pack with 20% (I think) off and flat shipping of $2.95 when I ordered mine.

Arctic_Seal · September 2014

I used disposables at night (and probably at the beginning) because I'd leak a lot and washables during the day because I wasn't an overproducer.

ScootsMcG · September 2014

I mainly used lanisoh disposables. I tried washable for a little while and they kept "escaping". I'd find them in my shirt and all over the house:). Can't remember what brand the washables were.....

persephonerose · September 2014

This is going to sound bad but I used disposables at night when I was sleeping or had company over. But during the day I went topless and just used a wash cloth to clean up if I was leaking. I know that isn't an option for those returning to work but since I was SAH it was easier for me. After about 6 weeks I was pretty well regulated and didn't leak much.

Dani0329 · September 2014

SS because I don't know what I prefer. I purchased some of both.

CNJ4EVA · September 2014

I used both, but prefered the disposables for convenience. I only ever used Medela, but I liked them well enough.

However, I didn't leak much to begin with and my supply went to next to noting once I went back to work, so I can't comment as to how they would hold up under normal circumstances.

archi35 · September 2014

Our midwife told us to get the washable wool and silk ones, and then do disposables with them if we have sores or scabs or a heavy flow. This is what I'm gonna do. She said that if you have a scab it can dry easier to the washables than a disposable - OUCH!.

savicke2009 · September 2014

I bought washable ones from one of those 'only pay shipping' codes that you get in american baby magazine or online.. I think it was ten pairs total and i paid like 12.95 for shipping.. ive never been a huge breast pad user, although in the beginning I do leak like crazy.. ive always thought the disposable ones look weird under your clothes, make your boobs look lumpy or something, so we'll see how I feel about these washables..

I had lily pads for a while with number two, but lost one and never re-invested..

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