Boobs! - Page 2

[mum2tori]

Originally Posted by blueviolet

It also took a while for me to figure out that my recurring infections had everything to do with the fact that my nipples were in contact with soured milk when I wore a bra.

That's why I LOVE my wool nursing pads from Lana. Yes, they are wool but they are SOOOOO SOFT you wouldn't know they are wool. They don't feel soggy like most cloth pads (and honestly fleece topped ones kind of chafted a bit) and they didn't feel nasty like the disposible one that left me feeling clammy. The wool is antibacteria and the lanolin in them helps to destroy the bacteria before you get that soured milk smell and infections.

I'm one of those that isn't comfortable without a bra on. I live in a "sleeping" bra for the first couple of weeks. :LOL

[sistermama]

I wish I could go braless once my milk comes in, but I leak obscene amounts, I even have to sleep in a bra just to hold the pads on. I pretty much have to use the disposable kind of pad (Lansinoh are the best) because I have major yeast/thrush issues. Does the wool work against yeast or just bacteria? Does it stay dry against your skin?

[mum2tori]

Originally Posted by sistermama

Does the wool work against yeast or just bacteria? Does it stay dry against your skin?

Yep works with yeast too!! Since they absorb up to 40% of their weight in moisture... they don't *feel* wet against your skin at all. They also help to minimize the chances of mastitis beacuse they keep more of the breast tissue "warm" which increase the blood flow and helps to keep the ducts open and clear. But they don't feel "warm" and uncomfortable and since they are breathable they aren't as hot as disposibles which have the layer of non-breathable plastic.

[msrog]

Samantha, where do you find wool pads w/lanolin? I don't even know where to get the cotton ones people handed down to me last pregnancy. I did use lots of the disposables last time, but I wouldn't mind trying the wool.

And how do you keep the pads from shifting around in your bra? I keep having to reach in there and adjust them, or they will move off the nipple or even slip right out.

[sistermama]

I like the disposable kind I use, cause they have sticky stuff on the backs. I don't know about the cloth though.

[Tree Swallow]

Savannah, they have a site: Lana Woolen Pads. They are pricey -- $13.95 a pair, but they claim you only need two pair.

[cottonwood]

Savannah, I've seen the cotton ones at ToysRus and Target. There are also a bunch of WAHM sites that sell them, I've seen them in passing when looking for diapers. You might try asking for links on the diapering forum too.

Sarah, I leak SO much during the first months that pads are ineffectual, at least while nursing. I just use towels. But I'm going to get some of those wool pads Tree Swallow linked to, those would be perfect for going out, when I'm not nursing but still leaking small amounts in response to pressure or whatever.

[mum2tori]

Yep those are the ones that I have. I have two sets. A small set and a medium set. And let me just say... the mediums are HUGE!! So I mainly use those for at night when I was dealing with that initial balancing of the supply and would get engorged. It's always lovely when the baby decides to sleep a little longer than usual and you wake up with a rock hard boob.

When you size them, measure across your breast. Look to see how big they really will be. I thought the mediums were the right size but really the smalls are. They are larger than a typical breast pad (so if you are use to disposibles they will seem gigantic at first). They are suppose to cover more breast surface than disposibles which are only there to absorb milk. The wool ones are also suppose to keep the breast tissue "warm" to help bloodflow and minimize duct clogging. They don't "feel" hot or anything because they are breathable.

They don't shift at all. At least mine never do, the disposible ones even with the sticky strip always seemed to shift on me. Very annoying. I think it's because the wool is a little bit fuzzy that it kind of "clings" to the bra material. They are NOT scratchy or itchy feeling and I'm really sensitive to that kind of stuff too.

Honestly, you only do need two sets. And check out the factory clearance section, they have 2 sets and a bottle of lanolin wash for a great price. And if you plan on more than one child, they will last forever too. I've had my pair for over 2+ years. At first glance, $14 a pair might seem expensive but add up how much a box of disposible ones cost and how often you have to buy them. Gets $$ really quick.

Quite a few of the Mama Pads WAHMs also make breast pads and some of the Diapering WAHMs too. They usually move any threads from the Diapering forum about mama pads and breast pads to the Natural Home and Body care forum.

[Brisen]

Are the wool nursing pads felted? I'm wondering if I could make some.

[mum2tori]

The ones I have are made with a wool jersey. I'm not sure if they are felted, a lot of time felted jersey doesn't really change that much. Felted wool flannel really changes texture a lot, I personally find it a little bit rougher.

I don't see why you couldn't make some especially if you have a serger (make it easy-peasy). You'd just need to do quite a few layers of the jersey (I'd think at least 3 minimum if it's a light-wieght jersey) unlike with a diaper cover there isn't as much space for the moisture to disperse around so you'd need more "condensed" layers. Make sense?