Can I put this question here? (Reusable sanitary napkins)

[mamatoady]

Please move if needed, I figured cloth diaper mamas might know something about this.

I've never tried cloth sanitary napkinds, but when I'm done being pregnant and get my cycle back, I think I'd like to try. I guess I have a question...

would/do they ever stink while you're wearing them?

Is there any way to make them smell good? Would a light dusting of baby powder or baking soda work?

How do you wrap them when you are out and about? I suppose you're just stuck carrying dirty napkins around in your purse.

anyway--I'm trying to figure out every way possible to save money and this is one way, but I'm scared to try! lol

Sarah

[Michigan Mama]

I hadn't been using them too long, then I got pregnant, but I never had stink issues thus far. I like ones that snap around my undies, just like normal wings, and I just used a small wetbag (small waterproof bag, like for cloth dipes) to put them in once used.

I'm actually going to use them when for my locia, too - I hear they work well (are you in my ddc? Aug?)...Even prefold diapers can work post-partum!

[sagemomma]

i have never had a stink issue with them, as for carrying them most have snaps and you fold the used side in and snap the wings over kinda into a little square. i also carry a mini wet bag to store them in while out. there is no need to make them smell good, scenting your area isn't a great idea.
don't be scared they are awesome, comfy work great and have numerous benefits beyond saving money, both for the health of our earth and for yourself.
my fave so far are the happy heinys momma cloth talk about soft i can't even tell i'm wearing it .

[mamatoady]

wow--thanks, ladies! Where can you buy the little water proof bags?

Sarah

[Ifluffedthree]

most people who make mama pads and or wet bags can usually will make purse bags too.

no stink issues here -- been wearing them about 5 years. totally love my cloth pads and the positive changes that have happened with my cycles from wearing cloth (less cramping/shortened cycles).

[jennyfah]

IME they actually smell less than throwaway pads because they breathe so much better---less opportunity for bacteria to grow. Also, since there are no chemicals involved, you don't have that odd mix of body fluids/chemicals that you get with throwaways. I think the same is true of disposable diapers (DH and I think they smell way worse than CDs).

HTH!
Jen

[Mrs.Oz]

Can some of you post some links of retailers? I remember looking at a few sites a while back that had a good selection, but that was before I would have ever considered using them, but now you mamas have me curious...

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by jennyfah

IME they actually smell less than throwaway pads because they breathe so much better---less opportunity for bacteria to grow. Also, since there are no chemicals involved, you don't have that odd mix of body fluids/chemicals that you get with throwaways. I think the same is true of disposable diapers (DH and I think they smell way worse than CDs).

HTH!
Jen

:

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Oz

Can some of you post some links of retailers? I remember looking at a few sites a while back that had a good selection, but that was before I would have ever considered using them, but now you mamas have me curious...

I got the cutest wetbags from www.happytushies.com

and all of my pads from www.zannadu.com

she carries skoon organics which are my favorites although for locia cloth prefolds (at least while you are in your house are the way to go)

[Dabble]

You might also want to look into the Diva Cup, which is a great companion to mama cloth. All of these have a high cost initially but save a lot in the long run, just like cloth diapers do.

[HeatherB]

Moving this over to Natural Body Care for you.

[stormborn]

I actually think they smell better than the paper ones. Something about the chemical 'scent'+blood with disposables always icked me out.
Funny you mentioned cloth diapers. That's what made me want to cloth diaper my second baby; switching to cloth myself and realizing how uncomfy paper pads were on me.

[MoonStarFalling]

I made mine using old scraps and they work just fine. You can just use folded wash rags. They don't smell either. I also find that they smell less than disposable pads.

[Mercury_Girl]

I have been using them for 2-3 years now & adore them. I bought from http://tlc-pads.com/products.htm . As others have said the smell is very, very minimal, with plastic pads I aways worried if other people could smell, but with cloth even I can't smell anything when I'm wearing them. I'm lazy/cheap & just keep a small ziploc type bag in my purse in the zipper section, I just fold everything up & place it in there & wash between uses.

I was icked out by the thought of mama cloth, til I did diapers. I saw how much better her skin was & realized if I did poop, then blood would be a breeze.

[mamatoady]

Originally Posted by Ifluffedthree

totally love my cloth pads and the positive changes that have happened with my cycles from wearing cloth (less cramping/shortened cycles).

wow--is this just you or is there research that shows the health benefits? I don't have a problem with cramping and I have short cycles, but my friend has horrible cycles with a ton of cramping.

Sarah

[jennyfah]

Originally Posted by mamatoady

wow--is this just you or is there research that shows the health benefits? I don't have a problem with cramping and I have short cycles, but my friend has horrible cycles with a ton of cramping.

Sarah

Anecdotally, many women report having shorter/lighter bleeding with less cramping one they switch from disposable products. I don't know if there has been any research on that point, but it's interesting how often that seems to happen. Could it be somehow psychological? Coming to a place of confidence and peace with menstruation, by not trying to "protect" yourself from it? (Like every tampon and throwaway pad commercial tell women they need to do.) Who knows!

There are definite and obvious environmental benefits, as well as financial savings (since most pads can last for many years). Also, you're not plastering something that's treated with chemicals next to your genitals, or for that matter, inserting something chemically into your vagina to absorb all kinds of body fluids. . . THAT squicks me out, now!

I read somewhere that in the US alone over 12 billion 'feminine care' products are thrown away every year. And that doesn't take into consideration the pollution caused by manufacturing, packaging and shipping of those items. Ick.

You can do a search on etsy for "cloth menstrual" and find dozens of gorgeous WAHMie pads and wetbags. A custom order is so much fun, because you can choose your own fabrics and make them as funky, pretty, plain, padded, waterproof, etc. as you'd like. Cloth pads are so comfortable--I cannot imagine *ever* going back to paper!!

Jen

[mamatoady]

this is the best thread ever! Thank you everyone!

I use pads on a daily basis because, well, my bladder has never been the same since having kids...I wonder if these pads would work well for that as well. I don't see why not!

sarah

[ParisApril]

I made mine out of some really old jammies and old recieving blankets. I also knit some cotton tampons. They have been the ultimate in money saving. They only cost me a little time. I also used very dark colours for the outer layer so if they stain a bit you can't even tell.

No smell issues here and I find that the cotton is so absorbant I rarely have to even change pads when out and about.

[mk12]

Originally Posted by jennyfah

Anecdotally, many women report having shorter/lighter bleeding with less cramping one they switch from disposable products. I don't know if there has been any research on that point, but it's interesting how often that seems to happen.

Well, that's what happened for me. And to tell you the truth, the change was immediate and obvious. My Lunapads arrived early on my 4th day which was always still quite heavy, and I was shocked how my period pretty much stopped after I removed the paper/plastic pad and put on my new Lunapad.

My periods went from 6 days with bad cramping to 3 days with virtually no cramps. Huge difference!

And they really are soooo much more comfortable, and smell much less compared to the disposables. I also feel so much more secure because they don't shift around like the disposables and they absorb much better. (No run-off.)

[jennyfah]

Originally Posted by mk12

My periods went from 6 days with bad cramping to 3 days with virtually no cramps. Huge difference!

That is amazing! I have noticed a difference, too, but I didn't know if should attribute it to the pregnancy or not. (I started using them last year after my period returned.) I wish that some kind of study would be done regarding the use of non-disposable menstrual products and the length/intensity of menstruation. I have heard over and over how women have had seemingly overnight changes in the pattern of bleeding, length, cramping, amount, etc. Amazing! :