[unitytree]

So, I keep hearing about mamas who are making their own PP mama pads. I've always gone the easy way and bought luna pads but I would really like a few more for after the birth.

So whos making them?? What pattern are you using?? Fabric?? How much will it cost you in the end?? If your not making them which ones do you prefer to buy??

 

[myhoneyswife]

If this baby stays in a while longer, I'm making them. I just use 2 layers of flannel, a layer of terry cloth (an old towel), and then 2 more layers of flannel and then sorta serge the edge by going around with a tight zig-zag (I don't have a serger). I style mine after GladRags ... I wish I had a snap press! Doing the snaps are a pain in the butt, but they're totally worth it for ease of keeping the pad on the panties

To me, at least...

I was going to buy sposie pads just in case I didn't get around to making them, but I just couldn't do it! I was staring at the whole wall they have of them in the store and couldn't bring myself to put em in the cart. I really don't like em.

So if I don't get around to making pads, I guess I'll just cut up a towel anyway and shove that in my panties like a prefold.

Cara

 

[LeosMama]

Probably for the first few days I'll just use my infant prefolds, trifolded and laid in my underwear. After that I will have a stash of hemp/velour pads. Layer of PUL on the bottom, three layers of hemp, one layer of cotton terry velour. I think I will make them so that they are quick-dry, with fold out layers. I don't like wings, so no snaps. I just lay them in there. I won't be doing so much walking that they'll be shifting around. Another good reason to do no housework for a month.

 

[dvons]

Quote:

Originally Posted by myhoneyswife I wish I had a snap press! Doing the snaps are a pain in the butt, but they're totally worth it for ease of keeping the pad on the panties To me, at least... Cara

BTW, I do have a snap press that I don't use much, I'd be perfectly willing to put some in for you as long as you paid shipping both ways, no extra $$!

Deb

 

[myhoneyswife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvons BTW, I do have a snap press that I don't use much, I'd be perfectly willing to put some in for you as long as you paid shipping both ways, no extra $$! Deb

Oo, thanks for the offer! I may take you up on that... depends on how much I get my act together and if the pads actually get made or not!

Thanks!
Cara

 

[mum2be]

I've made 12 pads, using my own made-up pattern. I used 3 layers of flannel and two layers of hemp fleece in the middle.

How many do you think we will need in a day? I'm wondering if I have enough to get by with only doing a load every other day.

 

[blissful_maia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mum2be I've made 12 pads, using my own made-up pattern. I used 3 layers of flannel and two layers of hemp fleece in the middle. How many do you think we will need in a day? I'm wondering if I have enough to get by with only doing a load every other day.

If you want to wash every other day, I think you will need more than 12. Even on a regular cycle, my dozen or so pads wouldn't last me 2 days. You will be up in the middle of the night nursing and will become aware of the fact that you need to change it, and not to mention it's just heavier etc.

I think 12 is good for one day/night.

 

[mum2be]

Thanks blissful maia!

Darn...I was hoping that would be enough seeing as how my serger and I are NOT on good terms right now

It took me about 15 minutes just to serge around a diaper doubler the other day. I have no idea what's wrong with it! This will definitely be a test of my patience.

 

[LeosMama]

wow, more than 12?! i don't have 12 for my regular periods, just three heavy days pads, 6 medium, and 6 light. well....i guess that's more than 12.

but i don't use them all, usually just use two heavy, 5-6 medium, and 3-5 light.

i've had a baby before, but used disposable pads. I hope i don't need more than 12! Maybe in combination with the prefolds, 12 would be enough? ack! more than 12!! I'm not saying you're wrong, I just hadn't given it enough thought. obviously

 

[blissful_maia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeosMama wow, more than 12?! i don't have 12 for my regular periods, just three heavy days pads, 6 medium, and 6 light. well....i guess that's more than 12. but i don't use them all, usually just use two heavy, 5-6 medium, and 3-5 light. i've had a baby before, but used disposable pads. I hope i don't need more than 12! Maybe in combination with the prefolds, 12 would be enough? ack! more than 12!! I'm not saying you're wrong, I just hadn't given it enough thought. obviously

I suppose it would depend on your flow and how often you want/need to change them! For me, I retained a whole lot of water in my pregnancy with Ayla and so for about a week after her birth I was peeing every hour or two. There was no way I was pulling up a bloody pad again after I wiped and sprayed myself with the peri-bottle so I ended up using 12 in about a 24-36 hour period. If you use pfs as well, I think you would be fine!

 

[mojumi]

I'm not particularly handy with cloth, so I was planning to purchase some luna pads ... can anyone tell me how they like those pads? I was thinking of getting their 'heavy flow kit'. I've been remembering that using disposable maxi pads was one of the most uncomfortable parts of post-partum recovery! Hate that feeling of plastic skin...

ETA: Oops, I see there is quite a bit on the boards elsewhere about different kinds of mama pads, I'll look around.

 

[mum2be]

mojumi-I ordered the Luna Liners which I have been using for about a year now. I love their stuff! It's comfy and super cute

I just wish they weren't as expensive...that's why I started making my own.

Here's another question...

Since I've started using my cloth pads I haven't actually had a period. I ordered some Luna Liners right before I found out I was pregnant. I have been using them for the insane amount of discharge I've had with this pregnancy. So I don't soak them or anything.
What do you do with your dirty pads? Do you keep a bucket in the bathroom and soak them in there? If so, what's in the bucket? Just water?

 

[LeosMama]

I rinse mine out and put them in with the diapers in a dry pail. Other people keep a wet pail on the washing machine and dump it all in when it's full.

 

[blissful_maia]

I keep a plastic container, like a little Tupperware (you could use any small-sized, rectangular container I suppose) filled with cold water. When I change my pad, I rinse it out in the sink and then I put it in the cold water to soak until I do the laundry (usually every 2, but sometimes 3 days). Each day, I change the water to fresh cold water. Sometimes I do this in the morning and before I go to bed. I find keeping them soaked in cold water really, really helps with avoiding stains (I mean, not like it really matters, but you know what I mean). I have been using the same set of my homemade pads for a while now (well between my first ppAF with Ayla and this pregnancy!

) with no stains to speak of. HTH.

 

[myhoneyswife]

My washer is in my bathroom so I just fill the washer part way with cold water and let them soak in there, then do a minicycle rinse, then wash with regular clothes (don't tell DH!). Now that I'lll have diapers to do also, I'll just do them with the dipes.

YAYAYAY!!! I'll have a little baby and diapers to wash! Sooo exciting! Teehee, I'm a dork, I know...

Cara

 

[unitytree]

I've had my luna pads for 5 years and I love them!! I bought a kit with heavy/regular and light pads. I have a stainless steel bucket w/lid that was supposed to be my compost bucket but I theifed it for my pads. (steel is great because it doesn't absorb the smell) I keep them in water and ring them out to wash them every 2 days. I actually use the water to water my plants...who are so sad since its been 8 months since they last had their fertilizer! I had to buy some indoor plant food to last them until my cycle comes back.
This has been my ritual for the past 8 years...I love it. There is a beautiful song called back to the earth by rusted root that i love to listen to as I water. It gives me a wonderful sense of reverence for my cycle and womenhood.

 

[LeosMama]

Jenn, that is a great idea, using your menstrual rinse water on the plants. I don't have any indoor plants (as dh hates them and ds destroys them), but if I did, I'd adopt your fertilization method!