how many nursing pads should you have?

[Bena]

I'm sure this is a frequently asked question and I'm sorry for the redundency, but I can't find a answer which the site's search engine.

I am due in 6 weeks now and I'm slowly switching mind gears from pregnancy to breast feeding. I occured to me I needed nursing pads! I have been given 4 pairs (washable ones) at my shower, but was wondering if that was enough or should I go get some more? How long do you use them, and how often did you need to change them?
Thanks for you reply!!!

[Chamomile Girl]

It depends on how much you leak and how much you do laundry. I have two pairs and it is not enough...and I really only wear them at night as they can be seen (funky shape-wise) through my clothes! I wear disposibles in the daytime as they are more discreet.

[lthw]

Previous poster is right, it depends on how much you leak. Some women leak a lot, others not at all. I leak A LOT and I have 6 pairs of fabric ones (I think Gerber brand), a box of Lansinoh disposable ones (I always keep a couple in my diaper bag), and at night I rely on thick burp cloths, because when the let-down comes I need to catch the spray from the breast DS is nursing, and the leaking on the opposite breast. This all sounds more daunting than it is; mostly I just find it comical. I cannot remember how long it lasted for me with DD, but I do remember that I had the same issues.
HTH!

[lifeguard]

I had 3 pairs. It wasn't enough if I had been leaving the house more often but as I spent most of the newborn phase at home I didn't much care if I leaked & had to change my top frequently.

[stephienoodle]

I was a huge leaker with an oversupply and I had a dozen pairs of washable nursing pads. I never used disposable ones because of contact allergies. Anyhow, I found that even with a dozen pairs sometimes I would end up doing a panicked load of laundry to have clean ones... and more than once, I ended up with wash clothes or handkerchiefs stuffed in my bra. I doubt everybody needs as many as I did, but I'd say definitely try to get a few more pairs. I stopped needing to wear them when DS was around 8-9 months old.

[Rivka5]

You might not even leak. I've only ever leaked once or twice, so I've never worn the washable nursing pads I bought.

[mamadelbosque]

I still have the first box of nursing pads that my doula bought me when my first DS was born 2.5 years ago. I never leaked with DS1, and only leak now if I'm too lazy to put a bra on in the morning, or get engorged cause' I ate oatmeal for breakfast and then DS2 slept for a long time...

[curious&eager]

I received a box of disposables as a baby shower gift and it turned out being my favorite present. I leak like crazy. The pads get soaked often. I cannot imagine a reusable absorbing all my mess. I'm on my second box with a two month old. But, then I have a friend that gave me her almost untouched box of 60 because she never leaks. I was ecstatic.
I nurse on a towel day and night and when in public or anytime, I keep a hand towel close by to catch the sprays when ds lets go suddenly.
It seems it all depends. Maybe wait a few weeks to see how your breasts behave and then buy more or not.

[itsajenism]

I received a box of disposable ones at my baby shower. I'm not a leaker, so I didn't use any of them.

[Maela]

I had six pairs last time and it definitely was not enough. I had to do laundry at least once a day. I leaked a lot! This time I have 15 pair and I'm sure that will be enough. I'm so jealous of you non-leakers out there!

[Mrsboyko]

I went thru probably a box of disposable ones (lasinoh brand- 50 pk) every week for the first 2 months. I only switched to cloth around month 3-4. I now have 5 pairs that i wear on work days. They work okay, but I still get leaks and have a wet bra some days. I am a super leaker though......

[FischK]

I bought reusable and disposable ones, and I never used them since my son was born 4 1/2 months ago. I only leak milk if I don't nurse for a while, and that rarely happens.

If I were you, I'd wait until after your milk comes in to decide how many pads you're going to need. No reason to spend money on them if you don't need them.

[ShwarmaQueen]

I think 4 pairs is fine.

[weliveintheforest]

If you are a leaker you will want at least 8 pairs I think. I never had enough! I got some nice thin waterproof ones from a lady on ebay.

[lovepiggie]

I have six pairs, and I'm buying more... I'm always soaking through them!

[dislocator3972]

If you're using cloth diapers, 4 pairs would be enough until you see how much you leak. I have three pairs and just toss them in with my cloth diapers and after 4 weeks I haven't had a problem yet. If after the first few days you need more, you can always send someone out to pick some up.

[haurelia]

I have one pair of wool pads...but I never leak so I don't use them.
I just put all the disposable ones I got as gifts in the pump room at work and they disappeared instantly!

[Ellien C]

No way to know until you have the baby. I only leaked at night if baby didn't wake to nurse and since I didn't wear a bra the pads weren't that helpful. Don't buy anymore now.