First AF using cloth. Too bulky? HELP!!

[dfunk98]

this is my first af using mama pads. i've been attempting to make them for 3 months and i finally finished some. right now i'm wearing a "light" pad (sorry tmi) with 4 layers of flannel and fleece backing. they don't have wings. i'm not sure if i made them too long or what. but i can *feel* them on my bottom. not bad, something i just need to get used to, but i wonder if they are physically noticeable. i mean, i *hope* no one is looking at my rear end so intently, but you never know . does anyone have any suggestions?
here's how i made them...
4 layers of flannel cut in an hourglass shape (10" long, i think). sewed 4 layers down 3x to make "channels". sewed fleece to back, turned right side out, and top stitched. should i have make the 3 inner fleece layers smaller than the rest, so that it won't feel so bulky when turned? maybe my "regular/light" pads are too long? it's so hard to calculate in comparison to traditional pads.

also, i will be using a menstrual cup (LadyCup) so i mostly need lighter pads for backup, with maybe a few heavier ones, just in case. i'm really new to this and i would love some advice. thanks!!

[wombatclay]

Hmmmm... cloth is bulkier, so if you're used to the ultra thin maxi pads it will take a bit of time to adjust. Maybe wear looser outfits during your flow? Skirts or dresses, tunic length tops or long sweaters/jackets that fall below the bum? Or wrap a scarf around your hips as a decorative (as well as concealing) touch?

In terms of the pads... if you're using a cup and just need a little backup coverage, perhaps make a much lighter pad? Perhaps a top layer of terry cloth or flannel and a bottom layer of fleece or PUL? The pads I use most often are a pocket style (adapted from either glad rags or luna pads, I can't recall). Basically a flannel pad that wraps aroud the underwear and has a flap opening in the side. I can stuff the pad with smaller flannel and/or terry cloth inserts to customize. If I was wearing a cup I'd probably use just a single flannel insert (making it basically three layers of flannel). Still bulkier than a disposable pad, but not super bulky.

I've also seen cloth pads that have been sewn directly into underwear to eliminate "panty lines". I've never tried them, but it may be comfier/less bulky feeling.

[orangefoot]

I've lost my mooncup between last cycle and this so I've dug out some cloth I sewed for post partum. I've cut some pads down from about 10" to 8" long and I can't feel them on my bottom now! I didn't stitch and turn though, I just sewed a line of stitching down the middle to hold the layers together then sewed round the outside close to the edge.

Usually I don't use anything with my mooncup and haven't needed any back up. Every now and then I get a tiny bit of blood in my underwear but nothing that washing can't fix.

Maybe cut a few pads down and keep a few longer ones for night time?

[ScarletBegonias]

your pads sound like they might be a little too long. mine are about 6" long and they are perfect for me.

maybe you could make some smaller ones for daytime/might days and use your longer ones for bumming around the house on heavy days? wombatclay had some good fashion suggestions!

i just saw a cool idea for cloth pads - a circle of fabric with snaps at opposite ends. it would be simple to mess with the length of them with so simple of a design.

i found this tutorial on making round pads - it looks a little more in depth than i probably have time for, but if you scroll to the bottom you can see the first round one she did.

[dfunk98]

thanks for all the feedback mamas!! i ended up making some smaller pads last night, about 8". i made a top flannel layer and a bottom fleece layer. then i made 3 inner flannel layers about 6". i sewed channels into them then sewed all the layers together. they are alot less bulky around the edges and much more comfy. YEY for cloth!!

[Ola_]

I use light pads for the first/last days of my cycle and liners at other times for menstrual cup backup. I believe the liners are just top layer (OBV) and the bottom fleece layer. The light pads have one more layer in the middle for a total of three layers including the fleece. I'm not sure how flannel compares in absorbency though. The liners are 7 inches long I think and the light pads are 8 inches. Hope that helps!