maybe TMI and gross...cloth pad question

[nicolelynn]

Do any working Mamas use cloth menstrual pads? I want to "go green" in this way but it just seems impractical/impossible since I am gone from 7am-6pm everyday. I do have a light flow, so 2 pads would get me through the day. My bathroom at work is a single person room so I could theoretically rinse and prewash them (take a little bottle of Dr Bronners or something), wring them out well and store them in a good sealed plastic bag in my large purse. No one will ever know.

Please tell me someone else does this so I don't feel totally alone and crazy in this idea?

[thixle]

Everyone i know that uses cloth pads does this. You'll be fine. You can make or order a small waterproof/washable bag to keep them in, so you don't go through plastic bags.

I was a college student when I first started using them. Classes up to 14 hours a day, never had a problem... no leaks, no shifting, nothing... and because they don't get crinkled/messed up in the bottom of a bag, I always had a spare-- you know, instead of a non-sticky, covered-in-lint mess!

If you have a light flow, I wouldn't bother rinsing-- I don't usually pre-rinse unless it's a heavy day anyway. IMO, they don't stink as bad as the disposable pads, anyway.

[DaMajha]

I just finished my first cycle with the mama cloth and I also work. My main concern was the my menstrual fluid has a very strong odor. So, that added to my concern about using them at work. What I do is put a drop of eo on the outside of the pad (the side facing my panties) and that helps.

For changing the pad, I had to change several times a day. I bought a little bag to keep my pads in to carry them. I also put a little ziplock with wet cloths (made out of extra flannel that I had left over from making the cloths), and empty ziplock bags. I would change out my pad before it got soaked, and I would lay the damp cloth on the pad, then fold it up and put it in the ziplock bag. I then just tossed it and the cloth in my soak pot when I got home.

You know, I know that I was always used to putting a disposable pad in my pocket and going to the bathroom, now I have to carry the little bag. That took some getting used to because I am a very private person. However, I looked around and realized that there are about 20 women in my office and most of us are of child bearing age, and that I doubt anyone was going to say a word about me carrying a bag with my pads to the bathroom.

Anyway, once I got down my routine, wearing the mama cloth was better than the old way because my flow was only about 25% of what it was before and my cramps were non existent, so I felt better and was more productive at work!

[nora--not a llama]

I work, and I have a very heavy flow, and I love my momma pads. I bought a double sided wetbag from www.motherandmaiden.com. I put a couple of clean pads in one side of the wetbag, and use the other side of the wetbag for soiled pads. Even with my heavy flow, I only have to change my pads once or twice a day because I just don't have an issue with leakage or odor with the pads I use. I carry my wetbag with me when I go to the bathroom, but it is made with really pretty fabric, so it just looks like a small purse. And I figure that everyone knows I have a period anyway (I'm of childbearing age and have 4 kids), so what's to be embarrassed about?

[Best Feeling]

Not crazy at all! It took me one day to wrap my head around the idea and realize what a big deal it wasn't.

We have a large bathroom with 2 stalls. No privacy to rinse and it would be too much for me, personally, to rinse them out in front of someone.

So, I don't rinse mine until I get home. I put them in a zip bag that came with my purse and then put them in my soaker pot at home until wash day.

[Juvysen]

There's always a menstual cup, too... which, depending on your flow, you can go 8 or 12 hours w/out dumping it...........

[DreamsInDigital]

When I am out and about, I have a small wet bag that has a seperate section for clean pads and then the inner compartment for dirty ones. I just rinse in cold water and put them in the wetbag which fits in my purse and I just carry it around with me until I get home and stick them in the wash. Never had any problems doing it this way.

[blairhoney]

Originally Posted by Juvysen

There's always a menstual cup, too... which, depending on your flow, you can go 8 or 12 hours w/out dumping it...........

I'll second that - most days I can go 12 hours without emptying, but even on my first day, when I have to empty every 6 hours, it's not that big of a deal to empty it in the stall and just wipe it out with a little toilet paper, and pop it back in. You can use a cloth pad as backup, too, though I found I didn't need one after I got the hang of the seal after a day or two. I just finished up my first period with my DivaCup and really liked it! It was a lot more comfortable than tampons and a lot cleaner than pads.

[pumpkin]

I have a very heavy flow and have no problems with pads at work. I just throw them in a small wetbag in my purse or in a pinch a baggie. No rinsing or washing. When I get home I add them to my dry pail.

[Phoenix_Rising]

I don't think you'd have a problem at all given that you've got somewhere to rinse them out and can get a wet sack for them. I'll be another to add that you are not the only one doing this

[IntoTheBliss]

I used to work full time and I had no problems with cloth pads. In fact, I actually found them EASIER to use than disposable. No one had a clue what they were. I could stroll through the office and down the hall with a bit of fabric in my hand and no one knew what it was. We had stalls in the bathroom, so I didn't pre rinse. I just folded up the pad and put it in a pocket. When I got back to my desk, I'd put the pad in a bag in my purse to go home. Then at home I'd add it to the soaking pads to be washed later.

It was easy and fun- yeah fun! Wearing pads with chickens on them made the day just a bit easier to get through. LOL

Since you have a private bathroom you could definitely rinse them in the sink and then put them in a wet bag or something. Go for it! I bet you'll be more comfortable too. I've been using cloth pads for... about 8 or 9 years. I still remember the way I'd get sore down there from those scratchy disposables though. It'd hurt by the end of my cycles.

[nicolelynn]

Yay, thank-you Mama's...I'm going for it!

[KaliShanti]

Great thread. I'm going to either use mama cloth or a Moon cup when I get my period back. I always hated using disposable pads and I can't use tampons.

What are yall's favorite brands of mama cloth?

[hello_world_bye]

I recommend the Diva Cup in addition to or as a replacement for cloth pads. I have been using both for quite some time now, and have absolutely no problems with either. I have to change the cup only twice or thrice a day, and cloth pads are just for backup - so I don't change them till I shower the next morning.

For cloth pads, my favorites are Punky's Pads and Mimi's Dreams (just google for either).