What Do You Wear Down There?

[verdepark]

I am on a hiatus from AF, thanks to the birth of my gorgeous EBF, son. Before he was born, I used either a cup or 7th Generation tampons. I am going to switch over to cloth pads. Please let me know what your favorites are or if there are any that you did not like. I know that they will take some getting used to (bulk, etc..), but am ready to make the change.

[BurtsGirl]

I love my gladrags!

[AuntNi]

I bought some Perfect Pads last year, and I love them! http://www.perfectpads.net/ I have several kinds of pads, but I prefer the Perfect Pads over all of them. And this is sad, but they're definitely the cutest thing in my wardrobe!

[verdepark]

Thank you for your suggestions!

[~Nancy~]

My favorites are www.vajpads.com

They are cute, affordable, well made, and surprisingly thin. Teresa is great to work with. She has always made custom pads for me (different length, backed with flannel instead of fleece, without PUL) for no extra charge. I ahev enver had leaks, and I think they are easy to wash and care for

[azariahsmom]

You could always make your own pads! There are also lots of pads on etsy.com

[yentroc]

I have some GladRags and some LunaPads and I really like the LunaPads. They're so darn cute! And really comfy.

[frog]

RetroRags rock.

[ananas]

subbing

[Jojo F.]

I made mine and need to make more for postnatal.

Adahy's pattern for the pany liner is what I used.

I didn't spend a penny using fabric I had around the house. Can't beat free!!

[jennyfah]

Party in My Pants pads---they are so thin! Their website is also loaded with information and has an extensive FAQ about starting to use cloth pads.

http://www.partypantspads.com

[verdepark]

Thank you! This gives me great resources to start with.

[majikfaerie]

I use a natural sea sponge as a tampon (you just wash it out)
and a folded face washer for a pad.

[ernalala]

Q

What if you're not home?
I mean, it says you can fold those but don't they smell when being in yoıur handbag for possibly several hours?? And the thought IT is in my handbag wouldn't be very appealing to me, tbh.

[Jojo F.]

If you can rinse out your pads they shouldn't be really smelly and you will want to get a small wetbag.

[thixle]

Originally Posted by ernalala

What if you're not home?
I mean, it says you can fold those but don't they smell when being in yoıur handbag for possibly several hours?? And the thought IT is in my handbag wouldn't be very appealing to me, tbh.

I've found I don't have much of a smell with cloth pads-- the smell seems to come from the disposable pads reacting with my body, or the disposable pad itself
A zip-lock bag (in a pouch so you can't see it!) or waterproof cloth wet-bag keeps it contained and odor free...
(You should try bringing cloth poopy-diapers home! Even then, it's not sooooo bad. A million times worse than used cloth menstrual pads).

[jennyfah]

I've been cloth diapering for four years but only using cloth pads for about four months---but let me just say that it (carrying around poopy/wet/bloody stuff) is something you just get used to. Just like baby having an big wet or poopy blowout and carrying home the clothes, really.

Honestly, the smell that you're probably used to with throwaway pads is much much greater than anything you will get with cloth. The fact that cloth pads are infinitely more breathable makes a HUGE difference! There is less humidity and less chance for the bacteria to flourish on a cloth pad. This also makes cloth pads a great choice for people who are prone to yeast infections.

I think it took me a few weeks to get used to the idea of throwing soiled diapers in the washing machine, but I got over it. And now it's just what we do. Same with cloth pads: it's just a little blood. If you got blood on your underwear or sheets, you'd wash it, so it's really not much different.

Oh, and I second the PP who said that cloth pads don't smell. I dry pail mine under the sink and haven't noticed a smell, nor have I ever had a problem carrying a used one home. Small wetbags with zippers are great for this. Again, once you start to do it you'll realize how it is no problem whatsoever.

Peace,
Jen

[imahappybrat]

clothpadreviews.makeforum.org has reviews of all the main cloth pad makers its my favorite site! I recommend vaj pads/ punkys pads

[quantumleap]

I really like Lunapads too.
They send you a mini wet bag with your order too. The pads themselves fold right up into tiny little squares that you can secure with the snaps on the wings, and then, into the wet bag they go. You can easily fit three full pads into one wet bag. I've never had a stink problem, except the one time I forgot them in the bathroom at work for three days (long weekend).

[Peacemamalove]

Originally Posted by frog

RetroRags rock.

::yes they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!::