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Following on from the new topic here, I just thought I would open a thread for discussion. Of those who already use cloth, let us know what brands you use, which ones you prefer and any advice or tips for those going to cloth.
Those who have questions, feel free to ask away :)
Mooncup Menstural Cup - Why The Mooncup Is Better Than Tampons
I mainly have Obsidian Star pads and a couple of Rainbow Pads liners.
Very happy with the Obsidian pads, have numerous ones (overnight, medium, light, winged and hourglass). The hourglass work very well, I like really like the shape and find I don't miss the wings, initially I had my doubts but have been converted. Love the extra size with overnight pads, very needed at times.
Rainbow pads are fine, would have bought more but could get any at the time when I was buying.
When I am menstruating (which hasn't been very often lately thanks to my DH keeping me either pregnant or breastfeeding :lol: ) I use a diva cup and some home-made cloth pads.
The diva cup is great and very easy to use. There are so many good things about the diva cup - lasts all day (on an average flow day) easy to use and clean while out and about.
I have made post-partum pads for after the baby is born. I used cloth after last baby and I found them much more comfortable and I bled for less amount of time. Really easy to make, don't need a lot of fabric or skill - I actually used scrap fabric left over from sewing.
Washing cloth pads is super easy when there are nappies that need to be washed to. They certainly don't add to my monthly workload.
Not only in the environment thing a big factor for me choosing to use cloth, but also the money saved is great. It's kinda like buying disposable nappies.... I'm always shocked at how much both disposable pads and nappies cost and how much they drain a families budget (not mine ;) )
Ah, this is very timely!
I switched to using a Diva cup about a year ago, and I've found it's been fabulous. (The only issue I've had was dropping it into the toilet... but it seems everyone I've spoken to has done that once, and ONLY once! :D )
Lately I've been contemplating the use of cloth pads/liners, so I'm keen to check out the reviews.
I'm going to buy a menstrual cup but don't know where to buy one. I read a review by a lady who has tried several types and listed different pros and cons for each. She found one called Lunette, and raves about it. Mooncup from the UK was also popular. She didn't much like the Diva Cup and especially didn't like the Keeper, as its latex and also did not like Moon Cup made by the same US company.
Where can you buy menstrual cups anyway? How much do they cost?
There is a link to the Mooncups to order here: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/post-n...-menstural-cup
You cant get them direct in Australia yet.
Is Mooncup the only one that can be ordered into Australia? Would I have to convert costs to GBP?
I bought a Diva Cup & LOVE it
Shipping was really super fast... though I did wait months for my AF to come back before I could use it! I haven't been able to bring myself to use cloth pads yet, but have found I only really need a liner for the first couple of days while using the Diva, while my flow is heavier.
I bought a mooncup fairly recently, after many years of cloth pads. They are awesome! Such a logical, environmentally friendly, woman friendly product. It is most unfortunate that they are not available in Australia - you can get them from New Zealand or the UK - I think they are cheaper on the UK website at the moment. Hopefully we'll be permitted to sell them here in the near future!
I have a Diva cup & never could get the hang of it, but I only had about 3 cycles before falling Pg. But I found it too long even with the stem snipped right off.
Is mooncup UK the only one available to be ordered into australia other than diva cup? I'd prefer to get mooncup but maybe something else that's more comfortable.
get on to the lady who runs the cloth pad shop, She posts on nappycino. She seems to know everything about cups & where to get them.
Little confused about the navigation on finding it on the site. Could you PM me a link?
Today, using Mooncup for first time! I had a spotting episode (too pathetic to call a period!) a few months ago and bought it then, wondering if I was going to even need it cos my period has been MIA for nearly 3 years. Anyway, it's dead easy to use, I think I just need to get the hang of placement to minimise leaking (using paper liner, will look up these cloth liners cos the paper ones ar bothering my conscience!).
Anyway, I'm on the bandwagon!
oh I dont know if I could use a diva or moon cup...I cant use tampons for the life of me (I cant stand the sensation of them blah) but give me a nioce cloth mama any day :) Ive been using them since I had Vy and havent looked back. I even took my own mama pads to the hospital with me when I had Mateauz and the midwives loved them. I have a very loving hubby who took them home and washed them for me
Astrid - I have 2 of Obsi's hour glasses..I love them and made a few of my own but shaped more for me and minkee topped...nioce and soft when you need it ;)... can you please tell me what you think of the rainbow liners as im thinking about getting some liners for when its O'ing time and would love some reccomendations.
ive also ordered a bohmian rainbow pads thats winged...I wasnt very fond of wings but Gigi had one sent to me and ive learnt to fall in love with it. I cant for the life of me remember the name of it.
Oooh, Maz, there is NO sensation with the Mooncup! Even going in it just glides - unlike tampons that suck every bit of moisture on the way up, blergh! Even on lighter days, it just glides, using natural lubrication. Once in, can't feel a thing! Fabulous! Got to the end of my period the other week and almost with a twinge of sadness put my cup into its bag until next time.
Oh, and for us sustainable ladies, how great is it to go into a loo that says 'this cubicle does not contain a sanitary bin', when you have your period and think 'I DON'T CARE'???? I know some would deem this weird, but once you remove the modern 'ick' factor from having periods, I'm really enjoying that part of my life:leap:
Mayaness - where did you get yours from?
And why aren't they allowed (?) to be sold in Oz? V. confused.
I've been using my cloth pads for a couple of cycles now and love them - platinum panties - but they don't work too well with the kayser bamboo undies I'm now wearing ;) So am seriously considering diva/mooncup.
Must say, trying to explain these to my friend was interesting, she is just so "erk" about the whole thing!
wonder if anyone will have the diva cups at the melbourne baby expo tomorrow......
maybe I might invest in one then Mayan ess - I absolutely HATE that sandpaper feeling with tampons.
Hm would be a great thing to show my mum who thinks Ive gone back to the dark ages with using cloth for myself.
How do you guys wash them? Do you soak them in water or dry pail them? Ive tried both and find Dry pailing works best for me.
kaz - bamboo knickers...WERE????????
I bought my moon pads from a mumma company i can't remember the name of them but they certainly are comfy. i am really interested to buy a diva cup i have heard such great reports about them. hmmm must do some research and find one.\
ps maz i am very impressed with your daughters talents in your ticker photo.... lmao!
beckles
maz - kmart, myers, dj's, target ... they're very "in" at the mo. Quite exxy though unfortunately - I bought a pile on a 25% off sale (had to tell DH it was buy 3 get one free else he'd say why not just buy 2?) but they're more boyleg style. Very soft though, just lovely. Literally feel like you're not wearing any ;)
I got an email from Mooncup saying that the TGA considers the Mooncup to be a 'medical device', so can't be supplied to wholesalers in Australia - that's why you have to order in from OS. Not legal to be sold in Oz, but can be brought into Oz - must be something to do with having to have some kind of medical background to sell it.
How ridiculous - it's taking me back to the GST thing about menstrual goods being a luxury item.
Oh, nearly forgot! I got my cup from the UK site...just before the Oz dollar took a dive...
They cant be sold in Australia as yet because they are classed as a medical device and as such have to get TGA approval. because most of these companies are quite small they havent really had the money to chase it up and get the relevant approvals etc....there is a whole heap of red tape and testing that has to be done before anything is approved by the TGA.
one company has just received approval or exemption insome way but i forgetwhich ( someone on nappycino was saying they fnally had the okay to sell them here just a couple of weeks back).
I love my nice knicker bamboo velour topped ones from wild child....my rather large stash is almost exclusively those now...they wear so much better than flannel topped pads...nearlt 2 years and still going strong some of them!
oh and my own brand ones of course...although I usually end up with all the seconds that my perfectionist brain won't let me sell!!
Well Melbel make me some woman!!!!!! I love your pads....me want now!!! :ROFL:
Maybe I should ge tmy SIL to order some in...she orders all theatre stuff for the hospital she works at (dandynong) hmmm me thinking now
ETA - beckles - I was going to put up the pic of my little man licking his nose but thoguht people might spew int he process :ROFL:
I was thinking of trying some of the swalldbees organic velour ones cloth pads - has anyone tried these?
How do you all wash them, do they stain?
I am very intrigued. I hate tampons and only use pads - but even with the "natural" cover ones I get irritated down there......
MEL - where? I can't see yours! I want some too!!!!
KittyKat :) - I have a small container of water in I put them into to soak and put them in with the nappies. Do be careful though, I just had one that I've washed a few times, but the colour of the brocade ran and stained my bamboo boosters!
I have just stumbled apon this thread and it seems very timely for me.
Since having Loren 10 months ago it seems that I have developed a sentivity to pads. TMI warning...After AF I have a lot of discomfort, I get the same issues when DH uses condoms. Last cycle I tried tamponds but it seems my pelvic floor has relocated and I can't seem to get one in the right spot...So I am seriously stuffed!!!
Actually the thought of using "rags' is a bit dark ages to me...sorry Maz, but I don't want to go through any more allergic reactions, so cloth looks like a great option.
As for the cup idea, if I can't insert a tampond successfully then how would I go with a cup?
Where should I start? Question...What about smell and cleaning?
I find soaking them overnight works a charm for the stain factor... get them in water as soon as you take them off and soak for 24 hours. Just washing them seems to set the stains.
If one has problems with tampons, should she still try a menstrual cup? I use tampons sometimes but they don't seem to fit properly, they never go in the full length of my finger no matter what, they slip down and such, and always leak! I have no idea what I'm doing wrong but after 10 odd years of having a period, I still can't work it out!
Using a menstrual cup is a totally different experience to using a tampon. Firstly, the cup is very easy to insert (as all of you lovely ladies have stated in this forum), and it collects/catches your menstrual flow as opposed to absorbing it as tampons do. Because tampons are highly absorbent, they draw in ALL the secretions present, causing irritation and higher likelihood of infections. The cups are made from medical-grade silicon, and are hypoallergenic, and don't interfere with the natural secretions of the vagina. They also sit lower in the body than tampons, and you cannot feel their presence at all. If you have issues with tampons, I would highly recommend trying a cup.
As you are most probably aware, tampons are made from cotton (and some synthetic fibres) and cotton is one of the most heavily 'pesticided' crops that humans grow. You readily absorb any pesticides through the mucous membranes of the vagina, so this is another factor to consider. Organic cotton tampons are available in health stores, and these are indeed better than your standard mass produced luxury-taxed-plugs-in-a-pretty-box... (sorry ;) ) but are far surpassed by menstrual cups.
I know that buying a cup is a bit of an investment initially, but you will save big bucks long term, not to mention the reduction of your impact on this planet, and the benefit to your own health.
Sorry for the rant!
xxx
Thankyou for your rant Nicole! The information you provided was great.
I currently have my first visit from AF since giving birth to DD. I seem to have pain and discomfort using tampons which I have never had before. I am really interested in trying a cup, as I also want to rid as many toxins from mine and my families lives as possible. How many pads/liners should I be getting to use along with a cup? I would hope to use the cup full time but would like liners whilst using the cup and maybe pads as a back up? I have never used pads so I have no idea what is a 'normal' quantity?
I have seen wild child and swaddlebees pads mentioned which both have a velour top, what do 'you' (everyone) think is the best for absorbancy and comfort?
Any advise or assistance would be great?
Thankyou! Deanne.
Nicole - thanks for the information, very helpful. I am still not sure if the cup with go in though. I seem to have a bit of a bulge at the opening of my vaginal and I have lift it up so that I can insert a tampond...sorry way too much information.
Matilda - Great questions
Hello Lovelies,
Firstly, no such thing as too much information. That's what BB is for - no need to apologise!
Secondly, as far as pads go, it is great to have a few in supply as a back-up for the cup as you are mastering how to use it. Some people have a tiny bit of leakage the first few times they use a cup. Once you have a bit of practice, they are superb.
If you are using cloth pads full-time, I'd say you would need at least five, depending on your flow, the type of pads, and how skilled you are in the soaking/washing department. I've got six or seven cloth pads of various shapes and sizes - four of them are radpads that I've had for many moons, and the others are organic cotton and bamboo. I love all of them, but the org cotton flanelette and bamboo are really absorbent and suit me the best - I haven't tried any velour-topped ones, so I can't comment on them.
BekZ - it may be worth emailing the mooncup or divacup sites to ask for more info, and see whether the cups would be suitable for you. The beauty of the cups is that you only need one, and they last almost forever!
xxx
PS - I have also made my own pads from offcuts of organic cotton jersey and flanelette, which are great too (a bit wonky though... I'm not the best seamstress!)
only 5 - 6 pads...oh im shamefull then..I have about 15
MM - I have the same problem with tampoons ect since i had my kids so I prefer to use pads. Its a horrible - nails down the blackboard feeling that I cant handle either.
I have a few assorted ones...my last purchase was from Bohemian Rainbow which Ive decided on going back and getting a few more off when the $$$ comes in December. I also have some Obsidian which are great. Ive made my own and really need to pull some time from good knows were to make some more. I ve mad esome that our hour glass shaped and have minkee on top :)
Same here :lol::
Astrid - spill woman what kinds...im on the hunt for some news ones and cant be bothered making any atm
:lol: I managed to get through the whole MCN thing now I have to work my way through the best cloth pad... you really do learn something new everyday!
I have decided to try the moon cup, now I have to decide on pads, a couple of ladies have listed their fav's but I am still confused as to what will work for me. I have only ever used (regular) tampons until I had Matilda now I seem to have ridiculous heavy periods so I am a bit scared of leaking :redface:.
We are also TTC #2 - I would like some pads for after the birth, is there such thing as maternity pads in cloth? I assume that you have to wait until AF returns after birth to use the cup?
Thanks for all your help and info ladies :)
Deanne.
Right.... I think I need to get myself some fancy new pads... I want 15 too! It would be a luxury to have more than six! Could be a bit more lazy with washing...
ummmm....I think I must have way too many then...well over 2 dozen and thats just the pads not including the liners.....I have 3 that got washed and havent even had a wear yet! (hopefully not for a few more months either!!)
Convert me! (to cloth pads, i'm not really interested in the cups...)
Actually, convert Shel, I'm converted already, I just need 'approval'! lol (I seem to have a reaction to the sticky glue on regular pads now... horrible allergic reaction/rash every time I wear them now! Yucky yuck yuck! And tampons just don't seem to go in like they used to (very ouchy, dry, and they just don't 'fit' properly).
The main factor for Shel are smells and stains. We soak our cloth nappies, would it be ok to just pop them in there to soak? What about the smell when you're wearing them? For a regular-heavy flow would you need to change them more often than with storebought pads?
Ok so how do they work... do you just buy the pad and its just there all in one or is there other paraphernalia? I see people talking about liners and stuff... so is there a pad and a liner... Anything else I should know?
What's the average price and where is the best place to buy from?
ETA: Oh and what about leaks? A normal (normal...? disposable is probably more appropriate right?) pad has the plastic that stop it leaking into your undies and beyond... what does a cloth pad have?
Hmm.. can't believe I am venturing in here.. but... here I am....
Has anyone tried the cloth pads off ebay? Recommend? Don't recommend? totally crap and should stay far far away? ;)