10 of the best breast pads 2024
WHAT ARE BREAST PADS?
Breast pads, also called nursing pads, are placed in the bra and used to absorb any milk from the leaking breasts of a breastfeeding mother.
Do you need breast pads?
They are not necessary for all breastfeeders. It depends on how enthusiastic the milk flow is.
How often should you change breast pads?
They should be changed regularly, regardless of how much breast milk has been absorbed because bacteria could multiply in the pads and cause an infection. They should be replaced three to four times a day or more if they are very wet.
What to look out for when choosing breast pads
Disposable and reusable pads: Disposable pads are thrown away after each use, whereas reusable ones and washed and dried and used again.
How they are secured: Most disposable pads have adhesive tape to stick to your bra.
Shape: The shape will affect how they fit and whether they show through your clothing. A contoured or teardrop shape may give the best fit but it will depend on the individual.
Material: A waterproof layer will ensure no breast milk seeps onto your clothes and a moisture-wicking layer by the breast will prevent any irritation. Many washable breast pads are made partly from bamboo, a sustainable crop known for its softness and absorbency.
Packaging: If a disposable nursing pad is individually wrapped it can be hygienically thrown in your bag to take out with you.
Laundry bag: It’s very handy if reusable pads come with a small laundry bag for a safe journey in the washing machine.
Sizing: Many come in different sizes for a perfect fit.
Milk collection cups: These are slightly different as rather than absorb, these retain any leaked breast milk so that it can be fed to the child.
10 OF THE BEST BREAST PADS UK
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 8 January 2024.
If you buy through a link, we may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. Medela Disposable Nursing Pads
Excellent absorbency.
Discreet under clothing.
Soft and contoured.
Secured with two adhesive tapes.
Individually wrapped.
2. Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Breast Pads
Ultra-thin disposable pads.
Two adhesive strips keep them in place.
Made with a polymer that keeps moisture away from your skin.
Individually wrapped.
3. Lansinoh Washable Nursing Pads
Lansinoh also make these popular washable nursing pads.
Highly absorbent bamboo fibres at the core and a waterproof outer layer.
They have a unique contoured tear-drop shape that moulds to the breast for comfort and no visible lines over clothes.
Machine washable and they come with a laundry bag.
4. Tommee Tippee made for me Disposable Breast Pads
Contoured to fit your bra and don’t show through your clothes.
Comes in small, medium and large.
Five absorbent layers.
Kept in place with super adhesive tape.
Wrapped in pairs.
5. Close Pop In washable breasts pads
A pack of 6 washable nursing pads.
Teardrop contoured pads.
Three layers of fabric: one fast moisture-wicking polyester, one bamboo viscose terry and one waterproof laminate.
Comes with a mesh laundry bag.
Machine washable at 40˚C. Do not tumble dry.
6. Lola & Lykke Curved Bamboo Nursing Pads
A pack of two washable curved breast pads.
Made from 80% sustainable bamboo with a waterproof layer.
Machine washable at 40˚C.
7. Little lamb Washable Bamboo Breast Pads
Ten long-lasting reusable pads.
Made from super soft and absorbable bamboo and have a waterproof internal layer.
Available in two sizes.
Comes with a mesh laundry bag.
8. Nanobebe Disposable Nursing Pads
This pack has 40 pads for daytime use and 20 super-absorbent pads for nighttime use.
The lining pulls moisture away from the breast and the backing has a waterproof layer to protect your clothes from leaks.
Held in place with an adhesive strip.
Individually wrapped.
9. ECO by Naty nursing pads
Eco-friendly disposable pads.
The material against the skin is made from sustainable bamboo.
Each pad is individually wrapped in a compostable film.
Pads are kept in place with an adhesive.
10. Elvie Catch
These are a different kind of breast pad. They don’t absorb any leaking milk, they collect it so it can be used to feed your baby.
Each cup can collect up to 1oz of breastmilk so that none is wasted.
They can be worn for up to 3 hours.
Slip-proof silicone skirts keep them securely in place.
After use, they can be washed by hand or put in the dishwasher.
MORE OF THE BEST:
Breast pumps • nipple creams • nursing bras • breastfeeding pillows • nursing chairs • breastmilk storage bags • breastfeeding covers • nursing clothes • muslin cloths • changing tables • baby blankets • baby nests
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It can take a while for your body to resume normal business post-birth. Unless you have a baby that painlessly slides out like an eel. All the stuff that may follow - the stitches, the bleeding, the piles, the fear of the first poo - none of it really matters as you’ve just expelled a real live baby from your body. You just won’t care. But there are some things you can get to make it all a lot easier.