Best breast pads? And other Qs from FTM

[jloukiss]

Hi DCUM,
I've graduated from the 'expectant mom' listserve to the general parenting one! Our son was born 5/15. Things are going well but I have some questions that I'm hoping the group can help me with.

First: which breast pads do you like? I'm using the lanisohl ones now and they seem lumpy under t-shirts

Second: how old does my baby need to be before I plop him in a swing? We're borrowing a Graco one from a friend but she thought he might be too little for it (birth weight was 9lb 3oz)

I'm sure I have other questions but for right now those are the most pressing!

Thanks in advance for your advice!
Jennifer

[Anonymous]

First of all, congratulations and welcome to the crazy world of parenthood!

As for the breast pads, I never found one that wasn't lumpy. I also used Gerber and Medela and they all had some degree of "lumpiness". Never tried the ones you can wash - maybe they are softer.

I don't think your son is too little for the swing. In fact, it is almost easier to put them in it when they are that little and can't move around. I sometimes put a rolled up receiving blanket around my sons' heads, because they did tend to slump sideways in the swing. If he likes it, I say go for it!

[Anonymous]

Hi There - Congratulations! I used the Lily Pads for awhile when I was going out. They are kind of pricey but you can wash them and they suction to the breast to provide a little pressure to stop leaking. If you are like me and leak anyway it will hold some in - kind of gross when you take it off. BUT they are really smooth under shirts. You can get them at the Breastfeeding Center.

I say go for the swing! There were certain times of day that the swing was the best thing ever invented. I happened to see online that Kiddopotomus (sp?) makes swaddles with legs so you can still strap the baby in things like swings and bouncy seats while swaddled. A great invention if you ask me!

Enjoy every minute!

[Anonymous]

Congrats on your new addition! I liked the Avent pads. They weren't as lumpy as some of the others and I liked their adhesive the best.

We also had a 9 lb-er and I think I put him in the swing the first night we were home. If the rocking motion seems too much for him, just leave it off and rock it manually if you need that feature.

[Anonymous]

I only liked one kind of breast pad- the medela ones. I tried a lot, having breastfed 2 kids and being a leaker. I think the swing is fine anytime. We put my firstborn in it in a moment of sleeplessness and desperation our first night home from hospital- he fell asleep and slept 3 hrs (that was a first). I remember feeling incredibly guilty for accidentally leaving him in there so long (we fell asleep too, of course) and now after having made it through newborn #2 I chuckle at how a beat myself up for that. Honey, whatever works... They are more resilent than you think.

[Anonymous]

I love my Johnson's pads. BRU doesn't carry them, but Target and BBB have them. One caveat - they are a bit thicker than many others. I like them b/c they are more padded and softer, and don't wrinkle. But, I am still fairly small chested so I can handle bulk.

And go for the swing!!! You'll know pretty quickly if it works on your baby.

[Anonymous]

Johnson's nursing pads are less lumpy then the thinner kind. Surprising that the thicker ones would show less under cloths but that's my experience. Also, re the Lily Pad product, I have that and loved it at first. Unfortunately I found that the way it adheres to your breast effected my milk supply. I was very sorry to learn this as they really are much nicer to wear then other varieties - and I've tried every nursing pad that's available in the time I've had my 2 kids I think.

[Anonymous]

Having developed an allergy to the adhesive in the lansinoh and gerber pads (drat!), I only use the washable type. I like the Bravado and Avent the best of the ones I've tried (less prone to wrinkling and showing through shirts than Medela).

[Anonymous]

I've tried a few different brands and have to say none were perfect. I think Medela's washable pads are the softest/most comfy but they are the lumpiest. The Dr. Brown's washable were smoother, but I don't like that they aren't 100% cotton (I notice they seem to get/stay wetter). Squarely in the middle are Lansino's "ultra soft" disposables. Almost as comfy as the Medela, but not as smooth as the Dr. Brown's. I tend to wear the Medela when I'm wearing layers (eg at work under a shirt and blazer) and bulkiness isn't as obvious, the Lansinoh most often as an alternate. Fortunately I've noticed that since it's been a few months, I don't have as much leaking any more - I tend to wear the pads overnight, briefly after I pump, and on days I fear I might be stuck with longer itervals between pumping (i.e., long meetings.)

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm a PP and wanted to add re: the swing, I inherited one as well and because I didn't have the directions, I waited until DS was a couple months old just to be safe. I found out later the friend who gave it to me actually used it with her preemie from very early on, so I'm guessing a 9+ lb baby is just fine, so just watch for slumping or see if your baby look uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

I love Knickernappies. They lie very flat and have a PUL outer so they don't leak through to the other side. They are fleece on the inside. Abby's Lane has them.

And congrats!

[Anonymous]

Lilypadz are great - especially for summer in bathing suits and for a sans bra night with your husband when you're in the mood again

Be prepared for a little leaking when removing. Didn't affect my supply at all.

[Anonymous]

My favorite were the gerber but they had to be the contured ones. If they weren't contured they always seemed lumpy. I kept waiting for the day when I would stop leaking and unfortunately I leaked the whole time I was nursing, 1 year plus. I guess I had a good supply but it was a pain.

[Anonymous]

Johnson & Johnson pads, definitely. No crinkling like the Lansinoh ones. The Lilipadz were interesting too...they worked for a couple of weeks, but the adhesive didn't hold up under all the leakage!