Plus sized mama, need cloth pads, leaking issues?

[Breathless Wonder]

So I need to buy some cloth pads, but I don't know what kind to get.

I almost always have leakage problems. I've used disposable pads in the past, and I tend to fair better with the high absorbancy, longer pads with wings. I don't know if it is because my underwear shift, or I have a wide yoni, or what. I seem to be constantly changing underwear, pants, and bed sheets. My flow also tend to be very heavy at first, and then lighter towrds the end, but can be unpredictable.

What brands tend to get very clean in the wash, dry fast, and address these problems?

TIA!

[rwikene]

I don't know about what brand to buy, but I too have the same problem with leakeage.....

I just make my own now, as the ones I've boughten have been too short for me, I need them nice and long especially at night

you can always ask a wahm to make them extra long/wide for you, I think mine are like 13 inches?

[Meiri]

What I would do if I were you, which of course I'm not, so take what will work for you and leave the rest...

The cloth pads I use when at home are rounded rectangles that are wider then they are front-back long, then folded to the width I want.

To make such pads: Measure where you want the pad to cover from front to back. Measure across. Multiply by 5 or 6, depending on if you want to fold into fifths or sixths.

Take soft flannel of the width you need, fold it so that you've got 3 layers for the front 3/4 and 2 for the back 1/4 of the front-back measurement. make sure the raw edge is folded under too. Sew that seam. Trim the corners so they're a bit rounded. Then zig-zag around the entire edge.

I didn't especially measure, but the last time I did this, it worked out that I used a half width of regular flannel for each pad. I forget how much length though. If it helps, I think I got 6 pads out of a yard of 44-45" wide material. 4 I fold into 5ths, 2 into 6ths, just how it worked out.

[bwylde]

I too make my own. That way I can tinker with the size and make it fit just right. They're not pretty (although I want to make some that are ) but they're functional; long and rectangular so I get complete coverage, which is what I want most out of a pad. I can't remember how many layers of material I used but they get pretty clean and are very comfy!

[khrisday]

One of my favorite ones I made using an old pair of panties as a template. I cut the panties down the side seams, and laid them flat. Then I traced the shape of the crotch area of the panty, and made the pad exactly that size and shape.

[ShannonCC]

You might not need anything special. I used to get leaks with sposies all the time and thought it was just a fact of life with AF. I mean, I got at least a leak a day for the first few days when it was heavy. Well, now I use cloth and, in 6 AFs I have had 2, count 'em, two leaks. The cloth just holds it better than the ultra absorbant, chemical filled paper of the sposies (and feels nicer, and smells better!).

I can't remember the brand I use but mine are flannel with cotton batting inside. No PUL or anything because I was worried about breathability. Not even any fleece. Mine have wings and snap. If I had to buy again, I'd buy longer ones because even though I don't have leaks, I *feel* less nervous with longer ones. Other than that I am thrilled with my cloth pads and will never go back!