Nursing pads prevent breast milk leakage and discomfort. They should be changed when wet to avoid sore nipples and can be disposable or reusable. Hospitals may provide samples.
Nursing pads are absorbent pads that are used to prevent leaking breast milk from seeping through bras and other clothing. Not all new mothers need them, but they can be very useful, and it is advisable to buy a pack in preparation for the days following the birth.
Breastfeeding mothers sometimes experience breast milk leakage between feeds, for a variety of reasons. Leaks can be uncomfortable, as most people don’t like wearing wet clothing, and they can also cause discomfort in social settings if the leak appears on outer clothing. More importantly, wearing wet clothing against the breasts and nipples can contribute to inflammation and infection, making it important to take steps to address it.
Nursing pads are highly absorbent and are usually designed to absorb breast milk that leaks into the center of the pad, keeping it away from the nipple without staining your bra or outer clothing. Pads can be worn inside a nursing bra or secured with tape.
It is important to change nursing pads as soon as they are wet. Just as a wet diaper can cause soreness on a baby’s bottom, wet pads can lead to sore nipples. If the nipple becomes inflamed, it can interfere with your ability to express breast milk and can make breastfeeding very uncomfortable. It may be a good idea to carry spare pads for changes on the go.
Numerous companies make disposable nursing pads, and it’s also possible to purchase reusable pads that are washed between uses. Some women like to wear washable ones at home and disposable ones when they go out so they don’t have to carry around dirty pads. It’s also possible to make pads out of fabrics like cotton, or improvise with things like handkerchiefs. However, using sanitary pads as pads is not recommended because they may not allow air to circulate freely around the nipple.
Many hospitals have samples they can give to new mothers, including samples of products like nursing pads. Women who don’t have pads on hand when they give birth may want to ask hospital staff for samples so they have pads for the first few days after giving birth. A lactation consultant can also often provide a woman with samples of nursing pads and other breastfeeding accessories.
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