Cloth mamma pads...

[1babysmom]

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this...I just wasn't sure where to look. For the first time in my life, I'm considering making and using some cloth mamma pads. I've known about them for a long time, but I have heavy/clotty/long AF's (sorry TMI, but unavoidably true! ) and to me, throwing that away is just ideal. But I've shocked myself and gone on a crazy life simplifying/decluttering/naturalizing/etc kick, and now I'm really thinking I want to try it. Could I just throw them in the wash with my DD's CD's??

Okay, so, if I make them, is there a pattern I should use? What do I make them out of? Is there any way to make them with wings of some sort? Or at least something to hold them in place pretty well?

What do you do with the used ones until washing? And what in the world do you do when you're out of the house?

Anyone with experience, please share!!

[ItyBty]

I made a bunch for myself, but I'm a noob, this past month is my first using them exclusively. I bought some flannel on sale, used an old towel and some fleece scraps leftover from making quilts for lining.

I tried a couple different patterns I found online. This one is one I like for lighter days. this one is one I prefer for heavier days. Both are super easy to follow, and can be adapted to your taste. I like the winged one as far as staying in place, and being able to add more layers for heavier days. I didn't sew snaps onto mine, I just safety pinned the wings together.

I made a few with one layer of terry/towel and a layer of flannel on either side, and a few with one layer of fleece, with flannel on either side. I found the fleece to be MUCH more absorbant. I'm planning to make a few with 2-3 layers of fleece, maybe with a towel layer too for heavy days.

Here are a few other liks I found, but I haven't made these patterns yet:
http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidia...othpadpat.html
http://pacificcoast.net/~manymoons/howto.html
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/mothers...ds/mypatt.html

[1babysmom]

Thank you so much! I'm going to check out those sites right now!

[Benji'sMom]

Free: http://diapersewing.com/clothpads.htm
Free: http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/sanitarypads.htm
This one you can buy to make different size pads: http://kristinsclothpads.com/cloth-pad-patterns.html
This is another style you can buy to make different sizes:
http://www.sewshoppe.com/prtypads.shtml

[oneotamama]

I don't have any experience w/sewing my own pads but I can tell you what I do for washing etc.

First of all, when I'm out and about I keep unused ones folded up in my purse. Then I take the used one and fold that one up and put in a mini wet bag. Or if you're out w/the diaper bag, you could just throw it in there. Then when I get home I put it in a ceramic canister that I use as a soaking pot. I simply use cold water in that. Sometimes I'll add a little tea tree oil. I change the water at least once a day. Back when I still was washing cd's, I'd then toss them in w/those, but those days are gone. Now they get tossed in w/the cloth toilet paper!!

Anyoo, to wash them I do a cold pre-cycle to reduce stains and then a hot wash w/the rest of my towels and washcloths. If it's nice outside I line dry them (and hope no one driving by realizes what they are ). Otherwise I toss them in the dryer.

Trust me. Once you decide to give them a try, you won't be able to go back to sposies!!

[kimmyjling]

Gosh, I love threads like this. I am sooo pro cloth, and love to share my pattern. If you click on the link in my signature, there is a pattern in the blog to the right of the page. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cloth pads!!

[Mamma Christi]

Originally Posted by kimmyjling

Gosh, I love threads like this. I am sooo pro cloth, and love to share my pattern. If you click on the link in my signature, there is a pattern in the blog to the right of the page. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cloth pads!!

Aw kim you got here about our myspace before I did

[ItyBty]

For those of you that make your own - what do you use for really heavy days? (TMI warning!) Last month I had 2 days that were so heavy I was debating on calling the Dr. I soaked straight thru a stack of 2 of the pads( 1 layer of flannel, a layer of fleece and another bottom flannel layer) I made, my undies and my jeans! Then I changed to one heavier pad I'd made as an expiriment, that was a layer of flannel, a layer of towel, 3-4 scraps of flannel layers in teh middle of the pad for extra absorbancy, and the bottom layer of flannel - and I soaked thru that too! Now - I've never had a period that heavy before, and I hope it was just an weird thing that won't happen again, but just in case - what do you use for really heavy days? How many layers do I need? The 3 layer ones work awesome for regular to light days, and I did notice the ones with a fleece layer in the middle worked better than the ones where I cut up an old terry towel for the middle. Would a layer of fleece AND a layer of towel work? Maybe 2 layers of each? What else can I use other than fleece, flannel and terry?

[aiccerb]

Im lovin' this thread too Im attempting to make some pads myself (my store bought ones are threadbare) and have some cotton quilt batting Im going to use for absorbancy...but I am debating what to put as my top layer.?! I have an enourmous bag of reminants from my sister so I have a wide variety of fabrics to choose from. Any ideas or suggestions:

[MyLittleWarrior]

Hemp is great to use as a core because it is really absorbant. I haven't made any myself, but I know it's used a lot. Just a suggestion. I would make some heavy/overnight ones with several layers. They may be a bit bulky, but I'd rather bulky cloth that's nice and soft than crinkly plastic any day.

[stacey0402]

I have never made my own either, but here's my wash routine:

In my bathroom I can reach the sink when sitting on the toilet, so as the used pad comes off I toss it into the sink and turn on the cold water. I like doing it this way so it has a second to soak while I get myself together I just rinse and wring out the pad by hand and toss it into dirty diaper pail. I always rinse first because I do not want to stain anything in the diaper pail. Not sure if this has been mentioned, but you can use felted wool as a breathable waterproof layer on the bottom. If you have a sweater that you've accidentally shrunk it would work very well for this purpose

[aiccerb]

Originally Posted by stacey0402

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but you can use felted wool as a breathable waterproof layer on the bottom. If you have a sweater that you've accidentally shrunk it would work very well for this purpose

What is felting?! and how does one do it:

[stacey0402]

Originally Posted by strathconamama

What is felting?! and how does one do it:

If you have a "hand-wash only" sweater and you toss it in a warm washing machine and then the dryer it will felt (shrink up and get thicker). People use felted sweaters (bought at thrift stores) to make diaper covers and to use with pads. You'd want a thin wool layer for a pad though...

[CarrieMF]

I soaked straight thru a stack of 2 of the pads( 1 layer of flannel, a layer of fleece and another bottom flannel layer) I made, my undies and my jeans! Then I changed to one heavier pad I'd made as an expiriment, that was a layer of flannel, a layer of towel, 3-4 scraps of flannel layers in teh middle of the pad for extra absorbancy, and the bottom layer of flannel - and I soaked thru that too!

From the sounds of it, you didn't have enough of a soaker layer. Flannel does not soak that much up, to be used as a soaker it is better for liners than pads unless you use many layeres and then you get a much bulkier pad. To keep from soaking through you need the fleece on the bottom. Most pads are made with soakers of 2 layers of hemp which would equal 8 layers of flannel plus they have the top layer too.

[ItyBty]

Where would I get hemp? It's not anything I can get locally, I assume.

[Amatullah]

I too have a VERY heavy flow with HUGE clots. So... I know where you're coming from. I started making/selling pads over 2 years ago and am so happy I did. I don't miss those gross sposies AT ALL! My favorite top fabric is currently bamboo velour but if you're making your own, chances are you won't find it, if you do... grab some up! Flannel is probably the most popular.

For a core I use hemp fleece or hemp terry. You can find it at:
The Snap Store
The Diaper Shop (see the two links below... they both sell diaper cuts but they are great for mama pads as well... I have purchased from all of these stores listed and recommend them all) or just do a search on google for "hemp terry" or "hemp fleece". I have used both and don't really notice much of a difference. I buy mine by the bale so I get the bulk discount.

For regular pads I use 2 layers of hemp for the core. For heavy pads I use 3 layers. To reduce bulk, I make some of the layers shorter than the rest and situate them in the center. I quilt them together so they don't shift when I sew the pads.

I use lightweight windpro fleece as a backing. This stuff kicks BUTT! Seriously. Again, I buy it by the roll so I get a good deal. You can find it sold at some of the diaper making stores like: A Cut Above Fabrics or Diaper Cuts *NOTE: Make sure you buy lightweight fleece and not heavy weight. The heavy weight will be VERY thick!

[EnviroBecca]

Here are a bunch of places to shop. I also recommend TLC Pads and the great selection at Diaperware.

Even if you're going to make them yourself, look around at what's being sold to get some ideas for handy features.

You will love cloth pads!

[Benji'sMom]

Originally Posted by ItyBty

For those of you that make your own - what do you use for really heavy days? (TMI warning!) Last month I had 2 days that were so heavy I was debating on calling the Dr. I soaked straight thru a stack of 2 of the pads( 1 layer of flannel, a layer of fleece and another bottom flannel layer) I made, my undies and my jeans! Then I changed to one heavier pad I'd made as an expiriment, that was a layer of flannel, a layer of towel, 3-4 scraps of flannel layers in teh middle of the pad for extra absorbancy, and the bottom layer of flannel - and I soaked thru that too! Now - I've never had a period that heavy before, and I hope it was just an weird thing that won't happen again, but just in case - what do you use for really heavy days? How many layers do I need? The 3 layer ones work awesome for regular to light days, and I did notice the ones with a fleece layer in the middle worked better than the ones where I cut up an old terry towel for the middle. Would a layer of fleece AND a layer of towel work? Maybe 2 layers of each? What else can I use other than fleece, flannel and terry?

For a regular pad you should use about 6 layers of flannel, for a super heavy pad 10+ layers. One layer is only good for a pantyliner. For really heavy pads you could use hemp, towel terry, or just several layers of flannel.