As a new Mum we have so many things to think about, let alone breast pads and leaking boobs! Worst nightmare right? It does not have to be. Do not worry Mummy, we have you covered.
One of the most commonly asked questions expectant mothers ask about breastfeeding is whether they will need maternity breast pads. In this article, I will guide you through my recommendations of the best nursing pads I found.
Best Breast Pads to avoid the leaks
You would think that a breast pad is a fairly easy product to choose but did you know there are so many different types? Five in fact. It is a matter of personal preference which one you opt for. You may have to experiment with a few in the beginning. Let us keep things simple for now. The first being:
The best reusable nursing pads
Best disposable nursing pads
Homemade breast pads
If you are feeling creative you can make your own homemade breast pads.
Admittedly this would be very time consuming but you could make them ready for baby’s arrival.
You can also tailor them to your taste and needs. You can choose which type of material to use whether that be bamboo or cotton. You can even have a fancy pattern or keep things plain.
Pros:
- Choose your own material
- Unique
- Cost effective
- Eco friendly
- Easy to follow instructions on how to make
Con:
- Time consuming
A step by step guide on how to make homemade breast pads can be found here.
Do you need nursing pads?
What is a breast pad?
A breast pad is a removable liner which is placed inside a bra to absorb leaking breast milk. It can also help prevent staining your clothes. Breast pads need to be changed frequently to prevent infections from developing.
Do you need it? It’s indispensable for me. As an active mum I don’t want to always be peeking at my boobs to make tsure they haven’t leaked.
Accident will happen, you won’t be able to control it or sometimes even feel it and the last thing you want is to end up with a stain on your shirt.
Nursing pads will be your best friends to avoid awkward milk accidents.
Help with breastfeeding
So you have established that you want to breastfeed but somehow it is not quite as simple as that. There is all the paraphernalia that accompanies it like nursing bras, breast feeding pillows, expressing machines and nursing pads! Where do you start?
I remember when I was pregnant with my son I had an overwhelming desire to breastfeed him. Mother’s instinct I guess. We only had a short breastfeeding journey but I cherish the short few months in which I was able to. I also feel like I learnt a lot and would be fully prepared if baby number two came along in the future.
There are so many resources available to help prepare you for your breastfeeding journey. Research your local antenatal classes. Here you will learn positioning techniques, attachment as well as common problems faced and how to overcome them. You will also meet other Mums who will be of great support to you.
Other sources of help include your GP, midwife and health visitor. Never be afraid to reach out to someone whether that be a friend or a family member. Discuss your desires, fears and or concerns.
Each woman’s journey is very different and unique. There will be a lot of learning and experimentation until you feel settled and comfortable in a routine that suits you and your baby.
Breastfeeding is a skill and a skill has to be learned. It will take time, hard work and perseverance but the rewards will far outweigh any difficulty.
Wrapping up
As you can see, the world of breast pads can not only be daunting but confusing too! How do you know which one is best? With a little bit of research and experimentation you will find the one that best suits your needs. Will you be the Mum who will lovingly stitch her own handmade breast pads or will you be ditching the creativity for convenience and opting for the disposables? Either way, whatever breast pad you choose you can rest assured that you will not be that Mum wondering why people are staring at her breasts.
Let us take one thing off your mind, breast pads.Did you know there are 5 different types of breast pads on the market?. Find out which option best suits your breastfeeding journey.
Leave a Reply