breast pad - Stuff Parents Need

This may sound really strange, but the issue of breast pads is one of the reasons why I decided to start blogging in the first place. I was so struck by the vast difference in quality of different products on the market and I wasted quite a bit of money trying to find something that wasn’t bulky and just all-around awful to wear. I really wanted to share my thoughts on the topic with other women (and I had a million other blog post topics, as well). And so, a post on disposable breast pad comparison was one of my first!

Since that time, I’ve learned SO much about all the different options out there for breastfeeding women. We aren’t limited to what we can find in the aisles of Target, ladies! And just like I now know that reusable diapers are an awesome option for babies, I’ve been intrigued by reusable options for breast pads, as well. Anything I can do to save some money and be a bit more eco-friendly is worth checking out!

Today I’m featuring a breast pad that is really and truly unlike anything else on the market, and after having seen it for myself up close and personal, I simply must sing its praises. I will be recommending LilyPadz to every single expecting and breastfeeding mama I know, for sure!

LilyPadz are reusable breast pads, but they are not made of any sort of cloth. They are made of silicone, which as you know, does NOT absorb any liquid. Scratching your head about how in the heck this could work as a breast pad? They are actually designed to keep your breasts from leaking at all in between feedings! AMAZING! They have a slightly tacky side that, when applied correctly, keeps pressure on the nipple and keeps you leak free until it is time to remove them and feed the baby. Now, I don’t think they can work a miracle and keep you leak-free for 8 hours when you have a newborn, or anything, but when used properly, women report great success with them.

I do think that this will not be the product I use for the first few weeks of breastfeeding, as I recall that being a time when my milk was sort of out of control. It was also a time when I needed to make frequent use of lanolin products. While you can use lanolin with LilyPadz, you are advised to use it sparingly and be extra careful to wash them well each day. I think that I’ll just turn to these once my hormones get a bit more under control and breastfeeding becomes slightly more predictable.

While I can’t yet speak to their effectiveness at preventing leaks, I have practiced applying LilyPadz and I can say that they are easy to apply. I’m also happy to report that they are SUPER DUPER THIN. Like, so thin I couldn’t really believe it. I may have actually squealed a little bit at the thought of getting to wear something so discreet this time around. Joy of joys!

LilyPadz do require an oil-cutting soap to be used on the pads daily in order to keep the tacky side working properly. I received a starter kit, which is what I would recommend to anyone interested in this product. It comes with one pair of LilyPadz, one bottle of LilyWash (a silicone cleanser) and one box of LilyWipes, which are great to use if you are away from home and need to clean the pads.

LilyPadz are a fabulous product, and I would highly recommend them to anyone! You can purchase a starter kit for $36.95, and can purchase them online here or check out the store locator for your nearest retail option.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a LilyPadz starter kit!

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Affiliate links to the best disposable nursing pads included. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a little while, you probably realize that I’m a thrifty gal. I love a good bargain, and I’m not inclined to dish out extra money just to get a brand name. I do value quality in a product, but before I stick to something with a hefty price tag, I’m at least going to try out the less expensive competition! Such was the case for me with disposable breast pads or nursing pads. Before I began using them, I was solely fixated on getting the best bargain. Here’s what I learned about the best disposable nursing pads (and the worst)!

A girlfriend gave me Lansinoh nursing pads at a baby shower, so they were the first breast pads I used. They worked great, but I had no point of comparison. I also was given some Gerber breast pads (pads on the left). I used those second. I realized pretty quickly that the Lansinoh pads were better. The Gerber pads were thin, which I appreciated, but they simply could not contain what I was producing (sorry, I just don’t know how else to put it!) Gerber pads are pretty inexpensive, but I guarantee you that you’ll have extra laundry to do if you use them!

For where to buy breast pads, I personally headed to Target (though you can easily find them at Walmart or even on Amazon). I saw that a 60 count box of Lansinoh pads was $9.00, and a 100 count box of Avent breast pads was $10.00. Despite having already had an experience with an inferior breast pad, this was a no brainer for me. I purchased the Avent breast pads (on the right). These were so unbelievably bulky! There was absolutely no way that I could leave the house wearing these, because there was not a single shirt I owned that could disguise the fact that I had giant cotton discs on my breasts! Seriously! I used up the box, and I hated every stinkin’ minute of it.

It turns out that you really do get what you pay for when it comes to disposable nursing pads. I found the Lansinoh pads to be ultra thin, so you can wear them outside of your house with confidence. And wow, they can really hold a lot of liquid, people. I don’t know what is inside of these pads, but whatever it is, it keeps moisture off of your body, which is awesome. They also have a lining on the back so that your clothes don’t get wet (learn from them, Gerber!).

So go ahead and fork over the extra dough for these breast pads, as I think they are truly the top rated nursing pads for a reason, and they are worth the price difference. Nothing else really compares, and this is not an area where being thrifty pays off! And if you might be interested in the best reusable nursing pads, check out a post I wrote on that very topic!

(Maternity Monday) LilyPadz: Discreet, Unique, Reusable Breast Pads (GIVEAWAY!!!)

Disposable Nursing Pads Review:The Good, The Bad, and The Bulky!