Shelf life of diapers and pads

RedMar · August 2016

Just wondering what's the longest you've kept diapers, pads and depends? I want to save some of the size 5s we have left over from DS, they're unopened. Additionally I have pads and depends from previous post partum healing (2 years ago) and some are opened, some not.

vampirina · August 2016

I don't think they expire, but you might want to think about how/where they are stored. If you keep them in a mildewy basement, for example, they probably won't be so good after a few years.

I have pads tucked away in purses that I've used before. They were probably 3+ years old when I used them.

JWarfield726 · August 2016

Agreed with PP... I just don't see them being made out of anything that would "expire". The only concern would be where they have been stored.

KimmySchmidt · August 2016

I would say as long as they were stored in a cool, dry place the should be fine.

owlcup · August 2016

I have an unopened pack of Sz. 2 diapers I was planning on using for this new baby. They've probably been in our basement for around 2 years now. I wouldn't use anything that's already opened, personally, but we also have a hard time controlling the humidity in our basement. We don't have mold or anything down there, but babies are so dang sensitive.

asht · August 2016

I had diapers left from my at the time 6 year old daughter that were about 4 years old that were fine to be used.

nativetexan512 · August 2016

I had some leftover pads from college (8 years ago) that I kept in a Ziploc. I didn't have a period for a bit due to bc, but when we started TTC last fall I pulled them out and used them. They were fine to use.

RedMar · August 2016

Thanks for your input everyone! I guess my main concern with the opened pads is if they'd still be sterile. Risk of infection postpartum is not something I wanna mess with. Maybe I'll trash the opened ones and keep the sealed ones around.

KimmySchmidt · August 2016

nativetexan512 said:

I had some leftover pads from college (8 years ago) that I kept in a Ziploc. I didn't have a period for a bit due to bc, but when we started TTC last fall I pulled them out and used them. They were fine to use.

Omg. So many questions. You kept pads for 8 years?! Damn girl! Didn't you move in that time? You pack them up and take them with you? Did you go 8 years without a period? What kind of birth control were you on?!

I don't think I even have clothes from 8 years ago. Certainly nothing in my medicine cabinet is 8 years old. Daaaaaamn.

nativetexan512 · August 2016

KimmySchmidt lollll I thought someone might wonder...

Yep I moved 4 or 5 times during that 8 years - I hate throwing out something that I might have to re-buy, so I kept them in a zip loc and toted them around with me. Why? I used to have crazy heavy periods and there was no warning before one would start. I got on Loestrin 24 right after college, and it was life changing. I had a 1 day light period, and then it turned into no period. Apparently this happens to some people. Of course I didn't know that it was causing other issues, but hey - the nonexistent period was a big benefit.

RG1 · August 2016

@nativetexan512 I have a few boxes of tampons from like 4 years ago and three moves, so I get ya! I also hate throwing something out I'd have to rebuy. I'm reaaaally cheap lol. The tampons were on for 50% off because the box was changing and they had to get rid of the old ones. So I bought 2 boxes of 24 and during a period I only go through like 2 tampons so they will last me forever!

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