Disposable or reusable nursing pads
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want disposable or reusable pads. Both fit into the bra and absorb the milk that leaks out between feedings, keeping your clothes dry. The difference lies in how they fit into your daily life.
You replace disposable pads after use and throw them away. They are practical when you are out and about, on the go, or during the first few weeks, when milk often leaks out abundantly and unpredictably. Carriwell's disposable bamboo nursing pads (50 pcs.) have a self-adhesive strip, so the pad stays in the bra and does not shift during the day.
You wash reusable pads and use them again. They cost more at the time of purchase, but last throughout the entire nursing period, and many people think they feel softer against the skin than disposable versions. Carriwell has them in both organic cotton (6 pcs.) and silk (6 pcs.). Many end up using both: disposable pads when they are out or busy, and washable ones at home and at night. There is no right or wrong choice here; it is about what suits your daily life.
How to keep the skin dry and the nipples protected
When milk leaks out between feedings, the skin around the nipple becomes slightly damp, and constant moisture can worsen soreness and make delicate nipples more vulnerable. A nursing pad absorbs the moisture, allowing the skin to rest and heal.
The most important thing is that the pad is dry against the skin. Change disposable pads as soon as they feel wet, and have clean, washable pads ready to replace the damp ones. A soaking wet pad that stays in place holds the moisture against the skin instead of away from it, and that is exactly what you want to avoid if the nipples are already sore.
Silk pads are particularly worth knowing about here. Silk is smooth and soft against the skin and feels gentle when the nipples are delicate at the beginning. If you experience cracks or persistent soreness, talk to your midwife or health visitor so you can look at nursing technique and fit together.
How often should nursing pads be changed or washed?
There is no fixed number of hours that suits everyone. Change the pad depending on how much milk leaks out, and it varies greatly from woman to woman and especially throughout the nursing period.
During the first few weeks, when milk production is still finding its stride, milk often leaks out abundantly, and you may need to change it several times a day. Once nursing is well established, it often drops significantly. The simple rule is: if the pad is wet, change it. Moisture against the skin is both uncomfortable and can create a breeding ground for irritation.
You wash reusable pads between each use. Most can be machine washed, and that is precisely why it makes sense to have several pairs, so you always have a dry set ready while the rest is in the wash or hanging to dry. Always follow the washing instructions on your specific pads.
Discreet fit under clothes and in the bra
A nursing pad should ideally not be visible through clothes or create an outline under a tight-fitting top. The round, contoured pads mold to the breast and lie flat in the bra cup, so the transition is soft and invisible.
The fit is closely related to your bra. If the bra fits well against the body, the pad will be held in place and will not shift. Carriwell's seamless nursing bras are made without visible seams and edges, so they both hold the pad in place and disappear under clothes themselves. If you need nursing pads every day, it may be worth looking at the entire range of maternity and nursing bras together with your pads, so they work well together.
Nursing pads at night
Nighttime is often when the milk leaks out the most, because there is a longer time between feedings. Many wake up to a soaking wet t-shirt if they do not have pads in.
If you want to sleep dry, the pad must stay in place, even when you turn over. Here, a soft sleep bra is a great help: it holds the pad in place without underwires or tight edges that bother you when you lie down. See Carriwell's sleep bra for pregnancy and nursing if you want the pad to stay where it should all night long. Reusable pads in cotton or silk are good at night, where you anyway change to a clean set in the morning.
Get started with nursing all at once
If you are packing your bag or preparing for the first few weeks, it can be nice to get nursing pads, a bra, and the rest all together from the start instead of buying them piece by piece. Carriwell has put several things together in packages that cover what you typically need in the beginning.
Look at the Ready to Nurse package or the Postpartum package if you want it all at once. And if you are unsure about what you really need and what is nice to have, read Carriwell's guide to nice-to-have or need-to-have when you nurse. Reach out to your midwife or health visitor if you are unsure along the way. You are not alone.
