[Kundalini-Mama]

Let me preface. I am an overachiever. With my first son, it took me until 8 months, yes, 8 months to stop leaking. Copious leaking. I used flatfolds to stop the flow (needing to change them mid-nursing session), and then finally went to Lansinoh nursing pads around 3 or 4 m into the game.<br><br>
Well, I've become crunchier in the last couple of years, and really don't want to use a disposable pad, but I am really getting sick of the buckets and buckets of breast milk that shoot out of me at any opportunity. Add to the mix, that I'm tandeming, so now the breasts are conditioned to fire simultaneously <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes"><br><br>
Those flimsy cloth nursing pads are a joke. I have not tried wool, but like I said, we are talking buckets of breast milk, so I'm not sure if they are up for the challenge.<br><br>
So I know that the disposables are bad for the environment. I mean, how could they not be??? But do the pads contain dioxins and other chemicals and stuff that would be on my breasts before my sons latch on uke<br><br>
I would love some suggestions <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Thanks<br>
Amy

 

[Pigpen]

I would go with Lana wool pads...they have these <a href="http://www.danishwool.com/products/lana/bp_nurs_pads_pic2.htm" target="_blank">http://www.danishwool.com/products/l..._pads_pic2.htm</a><br>
I would use the wool pad and while nursing I would press gently on my other breast (while wearing the pad) to keep the flow down. It took me a while to stop leaking too. I know it's soooooo frustrating! HTH!

 

[jessemoon]

I have a friend who swears by lilypadz (they are silicone and reusable..they don't soak up the milk, they just somehow keep one from leaking). I have never leaked myself, so I don't have a personal suggestion....but this friend raves about these. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Belle]

Question for the ladies that wear wool nursing pads: Don't they itch? Wool socks make me itch horribly. The thought of wearing wool pads near my breasts makes my skin crawl. Or do they have like a cotton shell or something?

 

[Pigpen]

I don't really know about the itch factor, I think it's different for everyone. It's not a scratchy wool. I also wanted to say that as far as the Lilypadz, they completely prevent leaking by plugging the opening to the duct. It's not necessarily something you'd want to use all the time. Maybe for an important meeting, wedding, accepting your Oscar :LOL . I don't think it's a good idea to use anything that prevents milk from coming out of the breast. Bacteria left on the breast after nursing can enter the breast through the nipple. If milk is kept in, as it is with LilyPadz, the bacteria enter the breast and can cause infection. Yeast are also more likely to form with LilyPadz because the nipple remains moist. The wool pads can work well, and they are healthier for you and baby. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial, holds a lot of moisture before feeling wet.

 

[TiredX2]

Hmmm, aren't their cloth nursing pads with a waterproof barier? What's it called....? You can get mamacloth with it too.....<br><br>
Anyway, I just used cloth diapers <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> There was no pad out there (that I could find) when DD was born that could cope (I used a disposable plus a cloth and just soaked through it). So I didn't even try with DS. I considered it a time to learn to let go of clean clothing.

 

[Hemiola]

I, too, have to sing the praises of Lilypadz (<a href="http://www.lilypadz.com" target="_blank">www.lilypadz.com</a>)! I wore them daily for 8 months and had no problems. They work by applying pressure to your nipples, but you can't feel the pressure. If you get engorged and your breasts change shape, they will leak. But hey, nothing is perfect!<br><br>
The other thought I had was to hold or somehow attach a bottle to the boob you aren't using (when you aren't nursing both) and that way you don't waste any milk! Pop it in the freezer for an emergency or to make momsicles/add to food. As someone who has struggled with low supply issues, I can't even imagine wasting 1/2 ounce, and it sounds like you're losing quite a lot!<br><br><br>
Good luck!<br><br>
Laura <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[jandj+1]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Hemiola</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">The other thought I had was to hold or somehow attach a bottle to the boob you aren't using (when you aren't nursing both) and that way you don't waste any milk! Pop it in the freezer for an emergency or to make momsicles/add to food. As someone who has struggled with low supply issues, I can't even imagine wasting 1/2 ounce, and it sounds like you're losing quite a lot!<br><br><br>
Good luck!<br><br>
Laura <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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If you're interested in saving the overflowing milk, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fexec%2Fobidos%2Ftg%2Fstores%2Fdetail%2F-%2Fbaby%2FB000058DQJ%2Fqid%3D1108501534%2Fsr%3D2-1%2Fref%3Dpd_ka_b_2_1%2F102-3184680-9403337" target="_blank">breast shells like these</a> might help. The outside portion traps excess milk. I think it would hold about two ounces. Not sure of the amount because mine only caught drops. But you could have a bottle handy to empty it into if it started to overflow.<br><br>
I started out using cashmere breast pads and they were really itchy and uncomfortable.

 

[susannella]

If you're looking for one more reason not to use disposables...<br><br>
For some reason, I bought them initially. I guess I was going through so many at first. Well, one brand (can't remember which) was like a disposable diaper with that stuff inside that turns to gel. That gel leaked out, onto my breast, and I fear some may have been ingested by my babe. I don't want that stuff near her bottom, let alone her mouth!<br><br>
I use cotton pads or grab a cpf when feeding. I'm not a real gusher. The fancy wool ones sound great to me!

 

[guerrillamama]

Another vote for Lilypadz. I was beyond skeptical, but they really worked! You have to be on time with your nursing/pumping - as pp said, if you wait too long and get engorged they will slip and if you start to leak there is no stopping the flood. But most of the time they are really comfortable - you almost forget you're wearing them - and best of all, completley invisible!<br><br>
I had the same concerns about sposie pads and the same frustrations about cloth pads.

 

[mom2jasper]

I just wanted to say that I have the LANA wool nursing pads and they are super soft, not scratchy at all. They do not feel wet at all but you can tell they are "full" when you take them off and they feel heavier. You really need two pairs to air dry one at night while wearing the other pair. They did get really saturated once, but no major leaks, and I do leak a lot. The only downside is when they were new they did smell heavily of wool when wet. It wasn't horrible, and I don't think anyone but me could notice. I have washed them a few times and haven't had any problems since. I highly recommend them!

 

[Changed]

I have an idea!!!<br><br>
I crocheted some wool pads and use them as a barrier layer OVER a cloth pad. Works great! And is much cheaper than buying wool breastpads.<br><br>
And, I leak really bad too!

 

[binxsmom]

i use wool pads and LOVE them. i have lana pads but they are HUGE. just too big for me. then i bought a diaper cover from <a href="http://www.luxebabydiapers.biz/shop/" target="_blank">luxe baby</a> and the wahm tossed in some freebie wool nursing pads. i sooooo fell in love with these. i ordered a few more pair. they are super yummy. so incredibly soft and thin. at first, i didn't think they would work cause they are much, much smaller than the lana but they are awesome. i also have a cashmere pair. they are a bit thicker but oh, so, soft. i just can't say enough good things about these pads. plus they are 1/3 the price of the lana.<br><br>
wool is incredibly absorbant and has anti-microbiotical properties. it is the ideal fabric for nursing pads, imo. with my first child, i used cloth pads and we dealt with several cases of thrush. i've used wool exclusively with my daughter and no thrush whatseover. i totally think it is because the wool keeps the nipple drier.