Maternity Pads - Cloth vs Disposable

[S'rose]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the best place to ask the question - Mods pls move if there is a better place.

This is my first bub and I am considering what I need for the post natal bleeding. I haven't really heard from anyone who has used cloth pads, and am wondering if they are suitable for post natal bleeding and how many etc would be needed, in contrast to what you used in terms of disposable pads?

All information is most most welcome. TIA.

[TeniBear]

Ooh, I'd be interested in knowing as well! I know I'd have to use disposable ones at the hospital, but it'd be nice to use "clothies" once I get home!

[luna moth]

I am usually completely loyal to my clothies, I love them to bits. But for maternity, I bought three packs of disposables, because from what I know, you have to change them so often that my cloth stash would have to be huge. And it's not. I'm already struggling with pre-birth requirements!

I have made some nice big thick comfy ones for when I get home, and I'll use them when I can. But I figure I'm doing this but once or twice in my life, I'll put up with the plasticky squish and the landfill for a couple of weeks.

[Persephone1]

I only used sposies but honestly, the bleeding in the first week was too heavy for clothies. After that it settled and would be ok for clothies from about week 2 onwards.

[CinderToriella]

Iv never used cloth, but the first few days or more was very heavy and i don't think cloth would work that well..

[meow]

I was changing pads about every hour or so at first and it would have required a mammoth about of cloth pads to keep up. My cloth stash sees me through the flow of my period so I'm not going to get anymore but just use them as much as I can and supplement with disposables.

[Lenny]

I'm with everyone else. Go disposable. You'll be spending too much time gazing into your little bub's eyes!
Don't stock up too much though. You might find it's not too bad for you, and you might just need heavy non maternity, (which are cheaper) after a day or two.

[Kirsten]

Can only agree with everyone else here, I used cloth when I got home so after 4 days and they were fine then, but especially the first couple of days it's pretty heavy.

[Eenee]

I was hoping I could just get away with cloth, is there anyone that has just used cloth I wonder?

[Mum2Romone]

Definitely disposable, to be honest the hospital, gave me more than enough and the midwife packed a heap into the top of my bag as I left so I used them and after two or three weeks uSed regular pads, I bled for 7 weeks post partum.

You will not have the time to wash all the cloth, certainly won't feel like it with a new baby to play with and really you are not going to hurt the environment for those few weeks

[maz]

I was hoping I could just get away with cloth, is there anyone that has just used cloth I wonder?

Yep that would be ME!!!!

I took a wet bag in to hospital with me, made myself about 15 hour glass pads and everynight DH took home the 'soiled' ones and washed and dried them for me to use again the next day.
I made sure that I prerinsed them...eg I had a morning shower and put them in the bottom of the shower with me to rinse out.
I had no troubles with leaking what so ever, i had time to wash them when I came home..bugger me I was washing clothes and nappies anyway.
I was aware of when I would 'gush' and made sure that I went and changed my pad straight afterwards.
Its not that hard...honestly..man Ive done cloth for over 4 years now and had 2 babies in that time and used cloth both times.

ETA - PMSL at the lot of you saying you wont have time to do anything...come on girls your making it sound like she's not going to have a life and for those who have never used cloth but think it wouldnt work...hmmmmm you cant go judging something when you havent tried it

If you want somemore help honey, you know were to find me

[melbel]

I also used cloth post partum....You can get post partum pads that are designed to absorb more flow...I bought I think 12 post partum pads and hubby took them home in a wet bag with bubbas cloth nappies and did the washing each day. I had a disposable placed on me in theatre when I had the c-section but as soon as the nurses had established I had a normal flow and didnt have any bleeding/haemorraging issues I started using the cloth ones, so maybe had sposies for 4 hours tops......

I had no leaks, nothing like that at all and it was nice to have something soft against my bits after all they had been through.....

[meow]

PMSL at the lot of you saying you wont have time to do anything...come on girls your making it sound like she's not going to have a life and for those who have never used cloth but think it wouldnt work...hmmmmm you cant go judging something when you havent tried it

I have to agree with this as I heard these comments about using cloth nappies from birth and we used themfine without using disposables.

My only concern about using cloth pads is the amount required for such a short time. With nappies I know I'll need lots for a while so the investment isn't a problem but I don't think I can justify buying that many cloth pads. If I could make them then that would be great