Cloth pads

[Vespertina]

Anyone use them or plan to? I'm thinking about starting cloth pads during the postpartum period.

For those that have experience with them, do you like them?

[Peace+Hope]

[hildare]

me!

I'll be using them. I like them, lots.. I've made some and had some made for me.
Since I'll be cloth diapering, I think laundry management ought not to be too bad.. I find the ones I made with flannel on top WAAAAY more comfortable than the store-bought-plasticy ones. Plus I know there are no chemicals in there, nor were any used (well, less anyway) to make them - no bleach, etc.
If you want to make them, there are patterns on teh interwebs or you can trace around a big one with wings. Use flannel and batting or a cloth diaper cut up inside, and put on some snaps. You could just make one and wear it for a while and see if you like it. GL!

[Pinoikoi]

I am considering moving to a cup AFTER my post pardum, but I doubt I will switch to cloth.. I don't know though, my health food store carries some. So I might invest in a few cloth ones AND the cup and see which I prefer.. part of this depends on whether I decide to go on bc again or not.. I had an IUD previous to this that I really liked until I wanted to have it removed (and I think it messed up my hormone levels temporarily)... but with it I didn't need any of that stuff much at all (a little spotting now and then but that's about it).. so I guess I am considering all my related options atm.

If we get a girl, dp might just be ready to buy a 15 passengar van and have some more kiddos, though, so who knows?

[hayleyvt]

I use cloth pads for periods, but have never used them for post partum before. I also use the Diva Cup, but I assumed that this is something to avoid the first 6 weeks pp, just like tampons. I am curious to know if this is the case.
My current cloth pads are not absorbent enough for post partum, since I only use them on light days (and diva cup or tampons on heavier days), but I really like imse vimse pads, and sorrel Luna
http://www.vermontdiapercompany.com/...for_women.html
my only complaint, is that I wish there was a top layer that would be a 'stay dry' barrier. Oh, and I love using cloth pads so much more than the other disposable ones, much more comfortable and I always have them in the house.
I would love to hear other recommendations too.

[Astraia]

I'm considering cloth for PP. For my periods I use a Keeper (which I like better then my Diva cup) with thin cloth pads as back up, since I'll often leak with the cup anyway (esp. if i forget to empty it, oops).

The biggest problem with cloth for PP is I'd need to make some special ones that are thick enough to deal with the flow.

I'm considering using prefolds for the first few days for the PP bleeding and then reducing to cloth pads once it slows to a more manageable amount. Anyone done that before?

I'd also be interested in knowing if the Diva/ Keeper is a no-no for postpartum. I didn't use it last time because I assumed I shouldn't.

[ivymae]

I use cloth pads for my cycles (I made mine) but prefer disposable pads for the initial postpartum bleeding. I tried to use cloth last time, and after a week or so I was slow enough to use a heavy flow pad, but in the first few days there are enough clots and heavy bleeding that it's more of a mess than it is worth (for me). I also use seaweed compresses for healing, and they stained a few of my cloth pads, so having a pack of disposable ones handy was nice.

[groovynaturemama]

i made cloth pads for the pp period. they worked great! they had wings with snaps (i have a snap press), and the layer just above the layer that touches the underwear was PUL to keep leaks from coming through. i made several different sizes and absorbencies from postpartum absorbency/size to panty liner. washing them was not bad. after i was done using one, i'd run it under cold water in the sink to get the bulk of the blood out, then toss it in a dry pail, and washed the pads with the cloth dipes. i had enough pads made to wash every other day. it worked out great, and i will only use them or a keeper/diva cup once i start cycling again.

[jenrett]

I recommend Luna Pads - they are super comfortable (much more so than anything I've ever bought in a store). They have postpartum sets, too. I love mine.

[SeekingJoy]

I used Luna Pads pp and loved them! I now alternate between a cup and the pads.

[rootzdawta]

Moved from I'm Pregnant to Natural Body Care.

[KBinSATX]

I had such a bad reaction to disposable pads after my first birth it really made me miserable. After my second baby I used cloth and it was so much better!

The Diaperpin has reviews of over 30 pads if you want to peruse some.