If you choose to breastfeed your little one, there are huge health benefits for both of you as well as the fact it allows you to spend time together just the two of you. There are also financial benefits, as you won’t have to stock up on expensive formula. However, what some new parents overlook is that there are quite a few things to buy to help you have a more successful and stress-free breastfeeding experience – and nursing pads are one of them!
New to breastfeeding? Never fear, we’ve got everything you need to know, from the best curve nursing pads for heavy leaking to the best reusable and washable nursing pads. We’ve checked major online retailers so you easily have on hand all the best options on Amazon, eBay and Boots. So whether you’re on the search for some fabric or disposable nursing pads, read on to find out more!
Quick List - Top Nursing Pads
Umitive
A Complete Breastfeeding Set That's Unbeatable Value
Tommee Tippee
A Moisture-Trapping Layer Keeps You Dry and Fresh
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We're guessing you're here as a breastfeeding mum in need of some extra reassurance that you're not going to end up with wet marks on your clothes. Well, nursing pads are definitely the way to go! We’ve looked at all the different variations available to buy so you can work out which ones will be best for you and your needs.
There are two main types of nursing pad – disposable pads, and reusable pads. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons for each so you can weigh up each option.
If you’re working while you’re breastfeeding or you’re always on the go, then disposable nursing pads can be a really convenient solution to keep in your bag. They often have a sticky backing so that you can secure them to the inside of your clothing to stay in place, and they’re widely available to buy.
However, if you’re using a lot of nursing pads, they can work out quite costly to keep stocked up, and they’re also not the most environmentally-friendly option as they contain absorbent materials which can’t be recycled.
Something else to bear in mind is that they aren’t very breathable and can trap air and heat, which, coupled with the dampness of your milk, can lead to discomfort and infections.
For those who are more conscious of the number of disposable items they use, reusable nursing pads could be a better option – you simply use them and then pop them in with your laundry ready for next time.
They’re usually made of soft, absorbent materials such as cotton or bamboo, which means they tend to be a lot more breathable than disposable pads.
You should bear in mind that you need to continually wash the used pads to ensure you’ve got enough on hand, and whilst cheaper than disposables in the long run, they’re a more expensive initial outlay. Also, if you go through them quickly, you may need to invest in more than one pack in case you're caught short between washes.
Just as different mums produce different amounts of milk, they also go through nursing pads at different rates depending on how much they're leaking.
If you know you're going to be going through nursing pads fairly regularly or you'll be going a few days between laundry loads, you should bear in mind how many nursing pads are included in each pack so you can buy an amount that's appropriate for you.
The pads are there to help prevent leakages, so the aim is to make sure you feel as though you have enough coverage to catch any and all of them. With this in mind, you might like to check the dimensions of the nursing pads to give you an idea of what coverage you'll be getting, so you know whether they’ll be suitable.
Pads of a smaller or average size tend to be around 10 x 10 cm, but if you think you'd prefer larger pads with more coverage, look for dimensions in the realm of 12 cm or over.
If you think about the shape of your breast, you’ll realise that flat pads may not be the most effective way of stopping leakages. While a lot of nursing pads are flat, many women prefer pads that are contoured.
Not only will they feel more comfortable as they’re less likely to wrinkle inside your bra, but they’ll sit closer to your skin making them better at catching any leaks.
As appealing as the idea of pads with pretty designs or colours are (especially in respect to reusable pads), a strong contrast of colours and patterns may result in you being able to see them through your bra and your top.
Whilst this isn’t a major issue if you’re only around the house or you’re in thick layers because it's cold, in the summer when you’re wearing lighter tops this may be a problem. If this could potentially be a worry for you, then you might like to stick to white or pale-coloured pads.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Umitive Reusable Organic Bamboo Nursing Pads and Cotton Breastfeeding Cover Set | ![]() | A Complete Breastfeeding Set That's Unbeatable Value | |
2 | Lasinoh Disposable Nursing Breast Pads | ![]() | Slim Yet Super-Absorbent Pads That Will Stay in Place | |
3 | Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Disposable Breast Pads | ![]() | A Moisture-Trapping Layer Keeps You Dry and Fresh | |
4 | NatureBond Washable Bamboo Cotton Nursing Pads | ![]() | Eco Contoured Pads to Provide a Better Fit | |
5 | MAM Breast Pads With Fixing Strip | ![]() | Ultra-Thin Pads to Stay Invisible Under Your Clothes | |
6 | PHOGARY Washable Nursing Pads | ![]() | Organic Bamboo Fibres Make These Pads Soft on Your Skin | |
7 | LOVI Disposable Nursing Breast Pads | ![]() | Contoured Pads to Allow Air Flow | |
8 | Lil-Lets Maternity Breast Pads | ![]() | Highly-Absorbent Adhesive Pads From a Well-Known Brand | |
9 | Lictin Washable Nursing Pads Set | ![]() | Breathable Bamboo Fibre Pads to Help Keep You Dry and Cool | |
10 | Natissy Washable Organic Cotton Nursing Pads | ![]() | Reusable Pads That Come With Plenty of Added Extras |
This set from Umitive offers not only two different sizes of pads so you can choose your best fit, but it also includes a breastfeeding cover so you can discreetly feed your baby when out and about. The pads are made of 3-ply absorbent bamboo fabric, and the cute duck-patterned feeding apron is made from 100% cotton.
This set is a fantastic option if you're trying to be more environmentally-conscious in your purchases, and it offers amazing value for money when coupled with the nursing cover included as part of the set. This would be a great baby shower gift, and it's made our number 1 spot for its functionality and value for money. It's a steal!
Lasinoh are another tried-and-trusted baby product brand, and as you'd expect, these nursing pads don't disappoint. They're ultra-thin and contoured to fit your breast, and the strong adhesive will keep them in place even when you wear them at night in bed.
In addition to the contouring, they have slits cut into the edges of the pad meaning that you can adjust the fit to suit you. Even new mums with heavier leaking report that these pads are absorbent enough to catch any liquid before it makes it to their clothes, and this is why we think these are a fantastic buy if you opt for disposable pads.
These nursing pads from maternity and childcare brand Tommee Tippee are silky-soft and breathable to keep you feeling comfortable, and their moisture-trapping capabilities will keep you confident and dry. They're twin wrapped making them perfect to keep close to hand in your changing bag without taking up too much space.
The one area these pads could improve upon is that the adhesive to attach the pad to the inside of your bra could be stronger, but these are a really good and affordable buy, and would prove indispensable if you choose to breastfeed your baby.
These pads from NatureBond come in attractive lace finishes so that they tone in with the material of your underwear, and their unique contoured design means that they'll sit close to your skin and won't crumple or move around.
Absorbency is always tricky with reusable pads, and while these are definitely more absorbent than most, you may still find them a struggle if you leak quite a bit. There are also instances of pilling appearing after washing which isn't ideal if you're already sensitive and sore. That said, if you're going to a reusable pad these are probably some of the best you'll find.
MAM are a really well-known maternity brand, and their nursing pads are ultra-thin so will remain invisible and not give the tell-tale bumps underneath your bra. Their surface is made to have a cotton-like feel against your skin, and the adhesive fixing strip keeps them firmly in place.
Whilst these may be attractive because they promise to be invisible, depending on the type of top and bra you wear they may not be totally discreet so this is to be taken into consideration. They are also on the smaller side and can leak if you tend to produce a fair bit of milk between feeds.
These pads are made of organic bamboo which promises to be soft on your skin as well as being more durable than cotton. They're made of a 3-ply construction with an absorbent centre, and once again, they're supplied with a travel pouch and a laundry bag.
These pads are on the larger side, and their lack of contours or darts in the fabric means they can wrinkle on your skin. They're also not as absorbent as others available, and they also tend to leak out into your clothes when they're full. So if you find you need to change your pads frequently because of heavy leaking, these may not be the best buy for you.
These disposable pads from LOVI are contoured in a way to allow the air to circulate between the pad and your breast, which is particularly important if you're prone to infections or irritations. Their core layer turns liquids into a gel giving you great protection against leaks, and they promise to give a high level of absorbency.
Despite them having strong adhesive strips to hold them in place, these do tend to move around inside your bra and can wrinkle and fold in on themselves which can be very uncomfortable. While the size of the pads isn't stated, they are quite large so may not be suitable if you have a smaller breast size as they may not fit very well into your bra.
Lil-Lets are well known for their feminine hygiene products, but they also make a great range of maternity products. These pads have self-adhesive strips on the reverse allowing you to secure them to the inside of your bra, and their cushioning and scalloped edge make them comfortable to wear.
These pads are individually wrapped which is useful when you're taking them out and about with you, but it makes them quite fiddly to grab quickly after a feed at home. The outer covering of the pads could also be softer, so if you have sensitive skin you may find these cause irritation.
These nursing pads from Lictin have a 3-ply design with an absorbent core to give you great protection against leaks. They're made from super-soft bamboo, which is breathable but feels great against your skin. There are also storage bags and a laundry bag included.
Again, the issue of the colour of the pads could be a problem here, and they also have a tendency to wrinkle inside your bra which can be annoying and can also lead to them showing through your bra. Whilst they are great for smaller leaks, they may not work well for you if you tend to leak a fair amount.
While they aren't contoured, these reusable pads from Natissy are teardrop-shaped to better fit the shape of your breast and help prevent any leaks. They're soft against your skin, and they also come with a handy storage bag to keep them all together and clean, and a laundry bag so they don't get lost in the washing machine.
The colours that these pads come in aren't the most discreet underneath a bra, and for this reason, you may find you only use half of them which doesn't offer great value for money. With continual use, the edges can also become a bit frayed which can be annoying and could cause skin irritation.
If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you may experience milk leakage of varying amounts, causing annoying dark wet patches to appear on your clothes. This can happen for a variety of reasons, from finishing up after a feed to leaving too long between feeds, or even hearing a baby cry (it doesn’t even have to be your baby – it could be someone else’s!).
Aside from the potential embarrassment caused by leaking, having clothes saturated in breast milk next to your skin can cause irritation to an area that's probably already very sore and tender, and may even cause infections.
To combat this, you can buy nursing pads, which are simply small absorbent patches to wear inside your bra. They'll soak up any leakages and stop them seeping through to your clothes, which should leave you feeling more comfortable, more confident and with no tell-tale wet patches.
There's a whole host of baby products available, so if you're looking to buy for yourself or as a gift for a friend or family member, it can be hard to know where to start! We've got some great baby product reviews, so you should have a look at our other top 10 listings to help you feel totally confident in your purchase.
Breastfeeding can be an experience fraught with challenges, but it's important to make it as enjoyable and comfortable for both you and your baby so you can get the most out of it. We hope that our listing has given you a bit more confidence to choose which pads would be best for you, whether you're currently feeding your little one or are pregnant and getting prepared for the weeks that lie ahead.
Whatever stage you're at, wishing you all the best for your breastfeeding journey!
Author: Catherine Torrance
No. 1: Umitive|Reusable Organic Bamboo Nursing Pads and Cotton Breastfeeding Cover Set
No. 2: Lasinoh|Disposable Nursing Breast Pads
No. 3: Tommee Tippee|Closer to Nature Disposable Breast Pads
No. 4: NatureBond|Washable Bamboo Cotton Nursing Pads
No. 5: MAM|Breast Pads With Fixing Strip
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