Organic Bamboo Velour/Wool Interlock Breastpads one layer of organic bamboo velour backed with a layer of wool interlock. These pads provide superb protection and softness. Machine washable, line dry. $8.00/pair

We frequently receive questions from moms about cloth breastpads.  In order to help mothers decide if cloth is right for them, we broke out the pros and cons of cloth vs disposables.

Cloth Breastpads

These come in a variety of fabrics.  We offer organic cotton and hemp, organic cotton velour, organic cotton velour with wool backing, bamboo velour, and bamboo velour with wool backing. Cloth pads can be thinner than most disposable pads and some are thicker.  But, the fabric is relaxed and molds around the breast for a more discrete appearance. Natural fabrics are considered more breathable and allow for healing of cracked or sore nipples. When leaving the house, mothers need to carry a bag or some other container to exchange their wet pads for dry ones and bring them back home for washing. This is easy if they are carrying a diaper bag, especially if they do cloth diapers.  Cloth breastpads are reusable and environmentally friendly, but all of them require washings between use for sanitary purposes.  The wool backed breastpads should be hand washed and the other breastpads can be hand washed or machine washed and dried. Many moms simply throw them in with their white laundry or baby’s cloth diapers. Depending on the materials you decide you would like to use, the initial investment will be higher for cloth, but will save a significant amount of money in the end. Typically a mother needs at least a dozen breastpads to cover her needs while used ones are being washed.

Disposable Breastpads

Disposable breastpads are designed for one-time use.  Most are cotton-based and contain an absorbent core.  Many brands contain chemicals and absorbent crystals inside to evaporate or wick away moisture from mom’s skin. Thickness and shape vary by brand and they typically are either contoured in shape to stay in place or require some form of sticky backing. Many brands also have a plastic backing to prevent leaking through. Many women report that the plastic backing on disposable pads do not allow any breathability and they have found that cracked or injured nipples will either heal very slowly, not at all or become infected. There is also a concern regarding chemicals against a nursing mom’s skin and then having her baby nurse on nipples that have been exposed to chlorine and other harmful and irritating chemicals for numerous hours. Many moms believe disposable pads are more absorbent and they wick away moisture better than cloth.  They do not need to be washed, simply use and throw away, therefore they are not considered environmentally friendly. They also cost more in the long run and in general are thicker and more obvious than cloth pads.