I started out with a bra and breast pads (first 5 or so months), then just a bra, then the last couple of nights (at almost 11 months) I have finally got back to bra-less. Early on I used to have a cloth nappy under me too. But even before DD was born I was leaking heaps of colostrum so I knew from an early stage I'd need something to keep the sheets dry The rooting wakes me so I can usually get the bra open before DD gets to the nipple.