Making Mama Pads

[alioops]

Well there is no area for this so I figure it slots in nicely here.

I am thinking about doing something a bit different. I suffer from stress incontinence and as such I always have a pad on. I have switched to cloth recently and am finding my general health 'down there' is much better. So far I only have happy heinys which have a PUL outer, 2 layers of hemp, and a microfleece inner.

But only 2 layers of hemp is not really enough.

So I am thinking about what to put into my own design and thought you ladies would be the best to bounce ideas off.

I have decided I definitely want a PUL outer - Just for the extra protection.

I definitely want bamboo absorbency - Would 3 or 4 layers be better?

I am not quite decided on the inner fabric. I am tossing up between - Bamboo velour, Minkee, Raw Silk, Organic Cotton velour, or Microfleece.

So my dear lovely skilled ladies, what do you think? What would you prefer to have next to your bits? And how many layers would you use for stress incontinence as well as AF?

[Gigi]

it would be very beneficial for you to read Obsidian Star's information on DIY mama pads. She has The most comprehensive list of every pattern available worldwide, glossaries on all the different fabrics, the history of mamapads, etc it's hard to think of an aspect about mama pads, that her site DOESN"T cover.

Purely by being a consumer, i have worked out likes and dislikes of mama pads, from the experience of using them.

For example, in summer when it's hot, i prefer the natural fabric toppers (bamboo velour, cotton velour, flannelette) cos they do breathe better. As you live in a humid climate, i would suggest those fabrics would be beneficial to you too. (for me, it's a summer thing).

another thing to consider, with topper fabrics, is the washing.stain factor.

the more synthetic in the fabric, the less wash care you need to take.
the more natural fibre in the fabric, the more wash care you need to take.

i compromise, my fave topper is cotton velour (80% cotton, 20% polyester) and i chose strong colours (not white), yes, most are PURPLE! surprise surprise. I do stick them in a icecream bucket of cold water ASAP, and they come out of the washing machine perfect.

i do think fabrics like raw silk, would be great for your skin, but would require much more washing care/fuss to keep them looking good.

(and the time for the wash/care of them, is something that each person has to work out, whether that will fit into their lifestyle - timewise i mean). It's like woollies in MCN, the lanolising is not a huge thing, but it is an EXTRA thing to do.

Actually the Happy Heiny mamapads, out of all the brands i have tried, they were my least favourite. I found the soaker was not anchored down enough, it kept moving, when i was walking, i found that very disconcerting. i unpicked the stitching and sewed the soaker down securely.

High on my list would be the Noonee Wilga customs - you get to choose
- topper fabric
- how many absorbency layers
- snap configurations ( i like the double snap closure, to keep them in place better)
- pad width (depending on which style of knickers you wear)

I think a discussion with a pad maker like Obsidian Star, Noonee Wilga, Twinkle Lily, would help you work out how to make them suitable for daily use for stress incontinence - as i understand that people who make mama pads, get contacted by people wanting natural continence products too.

Part of it is trial n error, experimentation. For example, if you had three mama pads,
first with two layers of bamboo fleece
second with three layers of b fleece
third with four layers of b fleece
you could work out, if they suited, how long they lasted etc.

there are also POCKET mama pads, in case the drying time, for an AIO mama pad with four layers of bamboo, was too long.

hth you with another consumer's insights into mama pads, totally different to what a maker of mama pads woudl tell you, - but it's all i got!

so much about mama pads, all comes down to personal preference - and despite all the reading i did upfront, it wasn't until i tried quite a few types/fabrics/styles, that i could work out my preferences. what worked, what didn't, what washed up well, what didn't.

it was like MCN, i had to learnt thru real life experience.

[Pandora]

Sounds great Ali.
I have been thinking about his for the same reasons as you wear them, its all magnified atm bing pg.
I wouldnt want microfibre against my skin, i reckon velour, flannel or bamboo.

[alioops]

I suppose I should update this thread

My fabrics arrived yesterday. I ended up going with the microfleece because there were some seconds that only had a couple of little holes on the edge that I can easily avoid and they were really cheap. I bought bamboo and PUL. Today I am starting my experimentation with some fabric scraps and am pretty close to working out what will work best for PP pads and will also do liners for use with my Lunette. All I need to do apart from the expermentation is shrink my bamboo.