Maternity Pads - Cloth vs Disposable

[Eenee]

Maz: I've got a snap press cos I had started to make pads for myself. plus it's fun to put snaps on everything lol- was good for fixing my doona cover! (insert embarrassed face here) you would then have to see my utterly terrible way I sew haha Although maybe you could show me the propper way to do it.

[S'rose]

Oh Maz - that's the world's greatest gift!! I have umm'ed and ahh'ed and have no 'real' idea about how it goes, but the idea of using sposies is a bit yuk now. I figure if I am going cloth nappies, then surely I should be as kind to myself and get cloth pads too. DH would most likely wash them for me, he's pretty amazing.

Ladies, I am so grateful for the responses... There is so much I don't know about what would be good etc to use and who to buy from and so on... so you have all been wonderful in educating me. I feel so much more confident going with cloth from now on!!

[onthefly]

How many maternity pads would you recommend oh wise women?

[maz]

How many maternity pads would you recommend oh wise women?

who you be talking to Willis????

if you can get them washed every night Id say 10 -12 if not then...up to 18 but id be waiting lovely...parcel will be posted to you anyway's so a little extra might have to make an appearance

Em - you so know its a date now dont you just tell me what you want me to bring and we'll arrange a day

Sonya - To easy babe I think you have enough cloth for monkey anyway atm OH and check out Bohemian Rainbow she has ace ones (I LOVVVVVEEEE them)

[luna moth]

Im more then happy to come around with my sewing machine and have a sew up with you soon hun I can bring the snap press

Come to my house! It's sunny....

You might just have me convinced. I have a velour topped Obsidian Star pad which would be nowhere near adequate for maternity flow but I am so so so in love with it. Got no munnies to buy more, so probably have to make my own.

I hate the snaps though... no princess and the pea! Any other way to do it?

[Rainbow_Mumma]

Ok well i had the same question and have been convinced to go cloth although im a bit worried as DH is "scared" of periods is there a way I could get him to wash them without being all freaked out over what they are (he wont even touch a tampon still in its wrapper!) obviously id rinse them out in the shower but having a c-sec last time i wasnt allowed to get out of bed for 2 days had the cathiter in that long too so the hospital would make me use 'sposies for that time i guess

[S'rose]

Okay another question - what's the difference between: velour, flannel, bamboo etc in regards to use & comfort? (flannel makes me think of the good old flannie sheets and I start sweating just thinking about it lol).

[maz]

Okey dokey
Flannel...(me not a fan) stains are harder to remove and whilst is soft its nothing in comparison to velour.
Bamboo...that should be hidden (under the top or skin layer and above the bottom or undy layer) to absorbe lose.
Velour...... I find it extremely soft on the woo who region, its cool and allows air flow as its polyester and wont hold onto moist as the bamboo beneith it suck's it away.
Most of mine are velour topped....again my few flannel one's I do have are left for emergency's

Nik - I had c/s and told the nurses that I was using cloth...they were over the moon about it and did everything they could, I even came out of theatre with one of mine on. One trouble was....I had them all coming in and asking me the same questions over and over. You should have seen them when I whipped out my breast pads

[S'rose]

Thanks Maz, that helps me try and work it all out!! Lol... at least this seems less horrid than having to purchase yucky sposies...

So much to know, and it's so nice to have someone to ask!!

[melbel]

I had 12 post partum pads and that was more than enough with hubby doing a daily wash. I also love the bamboo velour topped variety, have got rid of all my other cloth pads now that don't have velor on top....you either want bamboo or cotton velour tops....not polyester velour cos that will make you sweat like nothing on earth.

[Eenee]

Em - you so know its a date now dont you just tell me what you want me to bring and we'll arrange a day

yourself, what else do I need haha. Ive got bamboo and Pul and velour and some snaps and a sewing machine (nothing fancy) oh and a snap press so should be right for things. Unless you have a better template for making the design then I do- mind you mine never turns out the same as my made up pattern that I made up, the material moves that much it ends up heaps smaller lol.

[Rainbow_Mumma]

well maz uuummmm *sucks up to the lovely one* im going to attempt to make my own (may need a little guidance) bbuuutttt if i fail will there be a pad and breast pad stocking before May - will need several reminders if there is!

ETA - will i need a press thingo (hope you know what im on about) for the snappy things or is there a different way i can do it?

[Eenee]

Audax & Mrs S: you could always use velcro??

[Kazbah]

Guessing the snaps are for the wings?

(sorry, I've been lurking here all along )
:lurk:

[meow]

Yep- the snaps are for the wings. Velcro would be even bulkier and give you a rash if it rubs in your inner thighs wouldn't it? I've been trying to think how else to do it too. Do they run away if you use no wings?

[Kitt3n]

Cloth user here too Did all but run out and had to send DH out to get a packet of sposies, used two and holy crap they are horrible. No leaks in cloth

I've got 12 overnight/heavy pads - simply because i prefer the longer styled ones anyway. Bamboo velour ones are the best - so lush and soft.

I never thought I would be a cloth pad user, but when DD2 was born I was jealous of all her comfy fluff. Since I have started using them I have never looked back, the comfort is amazing.

My pussy is too good for plastic :P hee hee

eta my faves are twinkle lily - look out for ones with two snaps on the wings, they sit so much better, i find the single snap ones move about

[luna moth]

I have two velcro ones that I made - snaps + bike saddle = not friends. Me without bike = sad panda.

They're good, but you have to make sure the hook bit is smaller than the loop bit, otherwise they stick to the wrong bits, and you have to round off the edged so you don't get any pokey bits.

Just wondering if there's any other ideas out there?

I like to top with cotton velour, but I did buy one that's just topped with a really pretty soft cotton, not sure exactly what, but could even be a poplin? It's PUL backed, and it's quite comfy. Not my favourite, but not bottom of the pile either...

[S'rose]

After all the grand plans, I didn't manage to use cloth for immediately post partum due to very early delivery. However, today after DH washed my trial pack, I have a cloth pad on and it feels sooooo good! I just wanted to share that it feels great to have a nice pad on and I am hugely glad to have become a convert.

Thank you to all those who provided advice and info.. I am in your debt!!