Maternity pad & breast pad recommendations

[pinkandblue]

Hi

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and want to start getting stocked up for when the baby arrives.

Can anyone recommend some good maternity pads? And also some disposable breast pads? Which brands are good? Which brands should I steer clear of?

Thanks in advance

[jamb]

Any great big whopping surfboard style for first few days then i found the Libra Goodnights Flex sufficient for me. The thinner style was alot kinder to my stitches and my blood flow dropped off quite a bit. I stocked up on the surfboards and ended up chucking them out as i just did not need thick ones.

I found pigeon breast pads the best for my boobs, went through loads of them!

[aardvark]

I'll second the surfboards (I think I used Kotex maternity last time) for the first few days. Two packs from memory was enough both times, then onto an ultrathin regular sized pad.

And pigeon are great for breast pads, but they do have that gel in them like disposable nappies, so there is some amount of argument about how good they are are from a health perspective.

[JenNT]

I bought woolies homebrand for hospital, midwife said they are the same quality as ones they use. There is 20 in a pack for $2 and i used 3 packs in hospital,changed every hour or so, when i got home i used kotex maternity 8 for $4 as flow had dropped a bit, not much tho :( This went on for 3 weeks, had 2 weeks break and AF is back....with a vengence :mad: ( sorry tmi)

[jaydensmum]

It might sound a bit weird but i used the no name brands for both. They both did the same things as the others and they were half the price!

jaydensmum

[xkwzit]

Hi
I'm sorry Naomi, but I have to disagree with you on breast pads, they are not all the same if you are EXTREMELY leaky. Go the pigeon, nothing else will do for v leaky breasts (the Dove ones wouldn't even last 5 minutes into the first morning feed! :eek: ) Of course - not all breasts are leaky.

Cheers

[madvoice]

Pigeon were by FAR the best that I ever used. No leaks and kept you nice and dry.

[mixi_mama]

Im leaking at the moment and im only 26weeks.... ive tried ALLOT of breast pads but i find that only the (new) Johnsons ones work for me -
As for maternity pads - i used a no name brand

[madvoice]

wow I only wish I started at 26wks (leaking). I started at 16.

[claire&declan]

during my first pregnancy I am sure I tried every brand on the market to see if there was another like pigeon. They were the only ones that I didn't leak through. The dearest maybe, but by the time you go through 2 packets of the cheapies the pigeons work out pretty cheap. Am very lucky though, am 27 weeks no and still no leaks, in fact with my first didn't leak until he was born. Claire

[channy]

Would definately have to agree with the Pigeon breastpads if you leak a lot. Never found anything as good as them. As far as maternity pads go I used Whisper maternity and found them really great. Unlike a lot of other styles it actually soaks in and takes it away from your skin helping keep away infections etc. It has this special lining on it. My suggestion would be to go out and buy two packets of two different brands and see which one you like and then get someone to get you some more. Also some hospitals provide maternity pads though they are cheap ones that dont have sticky bits but can be ok as an emergency.

[mumhoney]

Ahhh, leaking breasts! so much fun. I had so much trouble with my supply - over supply, i had to wear breast pads 24/7 pretty much for the first 5 months! I also liked the pidgeon but found they got a bit expensive so then tried others. The Riteaid brand are the same as pidgeon but cheaper. Ones like Johnsons are ok but i found that you could see a very unattractive outline through my clothing- a bit like a tennisball sized nipple! not a good look. Also tried the washable ones but they were hopeless.
Good luck. :)
M's mum

[cobysmummy]

i agree pigeon breast pads worked for me... i had very leaky boobs... and still do 4 weeks after stopping bf :( ... i also love their baby wipes...
tommee tippee breast pads are no good... they ripped on me a few times and the stuff stuck all over my boobs :mad: ... no good for the lil one...
hope this helps

[Mumoffour]

I found Rite Aid breast pads are pretty good and they are reasonably priced for apkt of 40. they have the adhesive to stick inside your bra and are packaged singly which makes them easy to slip a few spares in the nappy bag. I cant really comment on absorption because i dont really know whether my breasts would be deemed super leaky or what. I use the washable avent ones when im at home and have had no probs with them. As for the pads kotex (2 pkts)- i used whisper maternity but found they made down there (3rd deg tear) hurt more (dont know why!).

[LucyE]

For breastpads I found pidgeon to be the best too. And for pads, I liked the Carefree ones with the 'cottony soft cover'. I found that really important for my very tender bits.

To save money you can always use washable pads too. I love my hemp breastpads with a microfleece outer layer. They were so soft, comfortable, breatheable and didn't make me itch the way the disposable ones did. For going out I still used the pidgeon ones though because I was very leaky. You can get washable sanitary pads too but I understand they may not be for everyone :)

[Mumoffour]

i was given two boxes of the dove breast pads and would just like to say- dont bother with them. they arent worth the money. They bunch up and slide everywhere and are rather bulky compared to some of the others.

[OM]

Also, what to do at night time? I wake up with leak spots that are huge all over my top... Someone suggested wearing a crop top with breast pads in it to bed, but I find it hard to wear anything tight around my upper stomach as I get bad reflux.


That's where the stickers on the back of the pads come in really handy stick them to your PJ's obviously they may not catch all of the leaking but they caught alot for me, which saved me having to change my bed sheets daily.

[Imogensmum]

on the first few days with engorged boobs i used to cut a heavy flow pad in half and use that as a breast pad!!!!!

Don't laugh- seriously it was the best thing going!!! not one leak!!!

The i switched to pigeon washable breast pads!!

i used libra goodnights for maternity pads!

[betty]

I use washable breast pads, no idea on brand as a friend passed down heaps)
I found them more comfortable esp. in early days when they was sooo much milk

[tickle]

Ok I think I have tried every type of breast pad under the sun.
I had lots and lots of opportunity with ds as I started leaking at 12 weeks preg.
I was very very leaky!!!
For me, Pidgeon beats them all by a mile!!!! But not the really deluxe pidgeon, just the regular. The other good thing about the pidgeons is the fact that they are flat and you can't see them through your clothing (which I had issues with the J&J ones).
I tried home brand and found them about as good as newspaper and I also tried the washable type from the chemist and they leaked straight away.
I think all up I have tried about 6 different types of disposibles.
LOL
I am just glad this time around I have got to 17 weeks with no leaks so far!!!
The maternity pads, I just went with the biggest and fattest. I think they were the carefree ones.
Sorry for the long post.
E

[MariaO]

I would just suggest that you do not stock up on breast pads. I would have a pack or so available but you may not need them. I bought packs of them and never really used them at all. Apart from a couple of notable evenings I have not leaked at all. I spoke to other breastfeeding friends of mine and quite a few of them had not leaked either.

[treightonsmum]

Pigeon are the best for breast. I breast fed both my children and after many an embarrassing leak from other pads nothing protected me like pigeon brand. As for maternity pads the libra goodnights flex with wings are fabulous, thin, stay in place and dont leak. I have a girlfriend who has the heaviest periods and she swears by them for the worst of bleeding. I have them packed for my birth in 8 weeks.

[Heids]

I used and will use again after trying a few in the middle.... Libra Maternity Pads Ultra thin and Long and found the Pigeon Utra Slim Breast Pads to be the best !

All the best on the birth of your new arrival :D
Hugs
Heids

[Fraggle]

I tried all the breast pads I could find;

No name brand - forget it (itched like crazy & were too thick)

Washable's - Forget it (I went throught the three pairs in half an hour one morning and never tried again), as if picking out clothes isn't hard enough LOL

Pigeon - These were great, but considering I was going through a box per week worked out a little on the expensive side. (Love their wipes also)

Johnson & Johnson - Too bulky, Too Expensive and itchy

Rite Aid - Perfect for me. Had the stickers, very absorbent and very well priced.

I can't remember what I used for materny pads, but I used mainly the hospital's supply (they weren't too bad actually), Gold Coast hospital used either Libra or Carefree (can't quite remember) and they also supplied huggies nappies and J&J bath stuf.

None the less, Good luck. A bit of trial and error to find what's best for you might be in order. :)

[mixi_mama]

does anyone know where i can buy Gel Breast pads in Brisane.... and what brand they are?
Sorry if this was already posted - but my midwife reccommended them to me but didnt know where to buy them....
maybe big W or a chemist?

[tickle]

Hi there!
I really don't know anything about them but did a quick search and you can get them here: http://www.mothersdirect.com.au/prod350.htm through the Aust. Breastfeeding Association. Otherwise I think the chemist would be your best bet.
:)

[mixi_mama]

thanks for the link - they're pretty pricey but i heard they are wonderful......
ill check some chemists tomorrow

[Miaow]

Ive found the pigeon breast pads to be the best for me and worth the cost - tried a the Nuk ones that were in a sample pack and they didnt last long at all

[tickle]

thanks for the link - they're pretty pricey but i heard they are wonderful......
ill check some chemists tomorrow
If you find they are easily available at chemists etc, I would wait because you might not find them necessary. Just a thought.
I'd hate to spend all that money and find you didn't need them. ;)

[golux]

Has anyone used LilyPadz? (http://www.lilypadz.com/index1.html) They look like a totally different concept from the 'soaking-up-leakage' breast pads and I'm interested to hear what real people think of them. I think they might be only available online for us Aussies though....

[Briannabear]

Ive never used those.
But I found that Pidgeon ultra-slim breast pads to be the best. I have sensitive nipples and the other ones hurt and made me itchy! They are definately worth the money. But its better value to buy them in the 50 pack from chemists.
As for maternity pads - Kotex are good. They are like surfboards but they absorb really well.
Good luck!!

[Pixie]

I have a friend who has used lillypadz. but she is in america and that's where they are from she swears by them.

I have read through this thread and 2 weeks ago bought the pigeon ultra slims and have to say that yes I am only 23 weeks preg but leaking like every two or three days enuogh to use a pad :eek: and they are great :D

[figjam]

well this is a bit gross, but then so is lochia BUT I was advised to use incontinence pants and they were wonderful. You don't use knickers, just these pants which have pads inbuilt. So there's no leakage. 1 pack did me for the first few days and then I just used normal pads afterwards.

I can't recommend them enough. I think Tena lady makes them.

[SMBT]

The stayfree maternity pads were the comfiest (prob not a word), but I found the libra ones too thin and irritated my stitches. TMI.

I actually buy Swisspers Breast Pads, stocked in Coles. They are the cheapest, but they do a great job! :)

[sundaymum]

I haven't used them yet, but have heard great reviews of woolen nursing pads; they are absorptive and soothing on the dskin, help to prevent mastitis, the lanolin is self-cleansing of the pads so thery don't need to be washed all the time, cheaper than sposies, and not full of plastics and chemicals. There's probably a few around, but I know you can now buy the Lanacare range at Nurture Nappies (Australian wool). :)