Help - what breast pads are best

[sarahrach]

Hey ladies - I hope you can help me, I'm putting my list together of things I need for the twins arrival and I'm trying to get it all done early so I can be as prepared as possible.

I've heard lots of horror stories on the disposable breast pads, but was wondering if there are any better than others that you guys would recommend? Thanks!

[~Trish~]

I used the Rite Aid disposable ones when I was using disposable breast pads and they were great. They are really cheap too .

Most breast pads will leak in the early days while your supply is regulating itself.

I bought some cloth breast pads from Maz, they are brilliant and I have saved so much money!

[Glamourcide]

I will forever be indebted to a BB member who recommended to me the Rite Aid gel pads. Seriously, they're amazing. You can get them at supermarkets and Big W, they're a little more exxy than the regular disposable pads and I used them in conjunction with the regular Rite Aid breast pads. The gel ones are so good, they're little discs of jelly-like stuff that you pop on your nipples and they really, really do a fab job of keeping everything hydrated, moisturised and nourished; thereby reducing your chances of cracked, chafed nipples. I have really sensitive nipples (read: painful!) and I credit the gel pads with helping me get through that tough stage of getting used to BFing and kept them hydrated enough to not get sore and cracked. You don't have to wash anything off either, so they're really handy for that too. HTH

[teresa]

i loved the johnsons ones in the purple and white box. they were contoured with a spot for your nipple and reasonably priced.

[Kazzo]

When I had DD I had such a huge supply of milk for the 1st 3 months that when she was feeding from one side the other side would have a couple of let downs and I would leak everywhere. I ended up buying some advent caps that catch the excess milk to wear while feeding and that way it was not going to waste as I could store it just in case I needed it later (never did though) and used Johnson & Johnson breast pads while I was not feeding. They where a little expensive but I found them the best for a heavy leak. I Tried the washable pads but would soak through one straight away. I guess it will all depend on how big of a milk supply you will have, how sensitive your breast/nipples will be and what feels comfortable.

[Calluna]

I used pigeon (sp?) or rite aid ones, I agree with the pp about leaking straight through the cloth ones (I had Avent cloth pads). I was a big leaker too, my main issue was that the milk would spread across the pad and even though it was well covering my nipple I'd still leak over the side. So the bigger (wider) they we're the better.

[meow]

I think I only leaked a couple of times in the first week so personally I wouldn't invest too much into breast pads until you know if you're a leaker or not. I had some sample packs of disposable breast pads that I used a couple of times and that was it.

[LisaFire]

I prefer the Johnsons ones, but cause money is so tight for us, I use the RiteAid ones. I buy mine from Big W- they sell boxes of 60 for just under $10. I usually go through a box of 60 in a week and a half.

[Bathsheba]

I agree with Meow in maybe just collecting some samples before investing in a whole box or a stack of cloth ones.... you might not be a leaker... I only leaked in the first few weeks. I fed my last child until he was over 2y.o but just never leaked enough to bother with pads. If I was going out i sometimes shoved a terry cloth one in my bra just in case but more times than not it was dry when i got home. I fed my babies on demand though... on trains etc so there was never much of a wait. And i also often wore my babies in a sling so the wet patch was hidden anyhow.

[Roryrory]

I think I only leaked a couple of times in the first week so personally I wouldn't invest too much into breast pads until you know if you're a leaker or not. I had some sample packs of disposable breast pads that I used a couple of times and that was it.

Yep - as Bath said too. I think I leaked once, and that was while settling DS1 in his cot late one night. Otherwise never leaked at all.

[helle]

Maz Pads and marcallen cream!
Can't go wrong!

[Ryatha]

DD2 is nearly 1 and I stll leak, all the time! I let down if I hear another baby, see another baby, think about babies... I'm obvoiusly a milk machine

Cloth ones are handy if you do leak a lot, I found I was spending heaps to begin with on disposables, and my cloth ones have saved me a lot of money. Maz's are great, she has heaps of different types now for your needs and she has a stocking coming up soon

[~Minny~]

Definately cloth, so much more comfy and dont scrunch up every time you go to feed. Can recommend maz's ones as well!

[sarahrach]

Wow - thanks ladies for the advice. The gel pads sound great - especially for summer as they sound like they could be cooling too.

Not too sure on cloth. Essentially I can't keep up with the washing now, let along with twins!!! But good to have the option if I find the disposables too icky.

[studymum]

I loved the Rite-Aid Gel ones to. They are great for the first few weeks, they are soooo soothing, putting it on was like a huge relief. Just make sure you replace them as per instructions to health reasons. You use the rite-aid disposable over the top of it.

I only leak for a few weeks to, its best to start with disposables and see what you are like. Most companies will mail samples for you to try, that way you can work out what ones you like best.