Reusable "chux" pads?

[Nicole730]

Anyone make their own chux pads or buy some reusable ones? I found these: http://www.starcrest.com/product/all...bedpad29x35.do, but I'm not sure if I should invest.

With DS I used a fleece/flannel sheet protector while bed-sharing because I didn't want to have to change the sheets that often. I'm will be doing the same again, but was thinking something like the above might work better.

I do have some PUL too, that I was thinking of layering between some absorbent material.

[xixstar]

With my last birth, I considered this idea but realized that the number I'd need would just be too many to really be feasible or to have a use for afterwards. I also sew diapers so I had all the materials, plus some, but I finally decided that was one area where we would accept some disposability. However, I did use a million towels and the chux pads (puppy pads I got off freecycle) were only used for the actual birth.

I think I might make up 2-3 large puddle pads for post birth this time though. I don't know if I'll use them during labor, just as something nice to have on hand afterwards for any leaks from me, breasts, or baby.

[durafemina]

I didn't use any chux for ds's birth. I just had a few towels around and some resusable hospital grade absorbent pads (sphagnum moss ones) for the bed. I also have a PUL/fleece pad I used. Worked wonderfully!

[jaylily]

I was wondering the same thing! I think we'll probably just end up getting disposable ones. Unfortunately we don't have our own washer and dryer.

[Nicole730]

Not having a washer and dryer stinks! I had my first in a hospital, but we cloth diapered and did not have a washing machine for the first 3 months. Not fun!

I think I will get some disposable ones for the actual birth and then make some PUL/fleece ones for after.

For those that made homemade, do you have an absorbant layer too? I'm thinking of fleece, cotton, PUL, flannel -so it sticks to the sheets, I think the PUL would slide around.

[xixstar]

Originally Posted by Nicole730

Not having a washer and dryer stinks! I had my first in a hospital, but we cloth diapered and did not have a washing machine for the first 3 months. Not fun!

I think I will get some disposable ones for the actual birth and then make some PUL/fleece ones for after.

For those that made homemade, do you have an absorbant layer too? I'm thinking of fleece, cotton, PUL, flannel -so it sticks to the sheets, I think the PUL would slide around.

For pads I've made for dd to sleep on, I had 2-4 absorbent layers (usually birdseye cotton, flannel will work too), a layer of PUL, and then fleece to help it not slide around as much and because I get tired of seeing plain pul all the time. We used these while doing lots of naked time, dd would still be laying on a prefold but extra protection is always nice.

I've also made her some that are quilters cotton on the top and bottom and 1-2 layers of fleece on the inside (mostly for padding, but also for water resistance). Those were more for changing pads but they worked well to keep things dry too. They absorb small leaks no problem.

[zoebird]

i used rubber-bottomed bath mats from Ikea. they were very absorbent chenille.

i didn't bleed much; only one got a bit of blood on it. it was easily cleaned in the washer/dryer. after the birth, i immediately got in the tub, which might have been why there wasn't a lot of clean up beyond that one bath mat. LOL

after the baby was born, i put a clean bathmat under him for when he had his mecomium poop. that one couldn't be saved. it works, but it's stained. my friend uses it for her puppy's crate now.

[Peace+Hope]

i work w/ older people and am definitely planning on picking up some of these re-usable pads. i figure if they can be refreshed from old pee smell (sorry), then they'd be great for labor and pp, and also for napping surfaces/traveling w/ baby to prevent leaks from being catastrophic

[AlDente]

I got these for EC, but I assume they would work as a chux pad, too.

http://www.ezwhelp.com/BuyUsedWhelpingPads.htm

I personally just bought the disposable kind my midwife listed on her supply list.

HTH!

[luv-my-boys]

I usually snag some from the hospital baby isolette But after I use those for the first PP days and ended up using a crib mattress protector (the kind without the webbing for the sides. I worked great as it was waterproof but still soft (flannel on top) it also wasnt crunchy or stiff. We still use them but they are now being used as bed protectors like they were meant for.

[Nicole730]

Originally Posted by luv-my-boys

I usually snag some from the hospital baby isolette But after I use those for the first PP days and ended up using a crib mattress protector (the kind without the webbing for the sides. I worked great as it was waterproof but still soft (flannel on top) it also wasnt crunchy or stiff. We still use them but they are now being used as bed protectors like they were meant for.

Good idea - thanks! I have a bunch of these already just sitting in the package because DS didn't use his crib the first year of life and I didn't have a use for them. (Or didn't think of a use for them...)