Comments | diy_pads: cloth for postpartum

quietlotus in diy_pads

cloth for postpartum

Jun 05, 2010 20:05

Does anyone have experience using cloth pads for postpartum bleeding? I've been using a menstrual cup for the past few years for my period, and the idea of going back to conventional pads, even for a few weeks PP, makes me feel really gross. I'd like to sew some of my own, but I'm not sure what would be most appropriate. I've found patterns for ( Read more... )

Comments 8

matersum June 6 2010, 00:28:48 UTC

I used PP pads with my second babe this past January. And it was soooo much better than using disposables like I did with my first almost 4.5 years ago. Then again, the delivery itself went far far better so I'm sure that played a role too. I made my own pocket-style pads so I could customize absorbency and thus get more longevity out of the pad. I liked flannel-topped best with a folded up organic cotton preemie prefold inside and backed in heavyweight anti-pill fleece. For me they worked wonderfully and I didn't leak at all despite the heavy bleeding. I continued to use them for overnights once the flow lessened and stuffed with only a 2 layer organic cotton/bamboo fleece insert.

HTH!

quietlotus June 6 2010, 01:23:59 UTC

Oooh, I didn't even think of sharing prefolds with my LO! I was considering making my own inserts, but why waste the time and material when we'll be using essentially the same thing? Great idea!

matersum June 6 2010, 01:38:58 UTC

Exactly. :) (and as a side note, as long as I rinsed them, the prefolds did not stain with blood. I can't say the same thing about breastfed baby poop!)

krasota June 6 2010, 05:55:03 UTC

Prefolds go into those mesh panties pretty well, which was convenient for me, as I bled quite heavily and would've ruined all my own panties. ;)

I often needed a couple prefolds at a time.

msartysta June 6 2010, 04:13:36 UTC

I don't have personal experience, but I've made some for friends. One claimed she stopped bleeding so much sooner than expected and the other said the pads were so much more comfortable on her "sore bits". I made them topped with flannel, 3 layers of hemp/cotton fleece, and backed with anti-pill fleece. I'm not a fan of PUL...makes me feel all sweaty.

matersum June 6 2010, 11:01:32 UTC

I agree with this though again, I don't know if it was the pads or the conditions of the better delivery. Over 7 weeks of lochia the first time versus only a little more than 4 weeks with the second. For me though 3 layers of hemp/cotton fleece would definitely not have been sufficient.

delqc June 6 2010, 14:01:57 UTC

The first half day - day or so after the birth I bled crazily. In the hospital they gave me these thick cloth towel things to use for this time, which worked really well. More on this below. I spent nearly a week in hospital post-partum and ran out of cloth pads very quickly since I had no access to laundry at that time. I used disposeable pads for the rest of this time and they did not work well, they were sweaty and uncomfortable, and the flow came so fast as to overwhelm them. I would wear two spaced out to cover front and back and still bleed through. It was AWFUL. So I can say definitively that cloth is much better ( ... )

quakey July 7 2010, 07:23:28 UTC

Frankly, I bled like a stuck pig for the first week postpartum and ended up using Depends. :P I do think cloth would have been much more soothing (and less likely to stick to and pull sore flesh) but I had zero strength, energy, or time for soaking or washing pads. (Blood loss, I passed out after birth and was dizzy and lightheaded for a week. Feh.)

Meaning... make sure you have a big stash and make them *really* heavy absorbency. Good luck! I hope that when I have my second I'll be better prepared and able to use cloth!