These come with 10 reusable nursing pads in a pack and they are made from cotton terry with a inner mesh lining. These are designed to remove moisture away from your skin so you don’t as feel sticky or wet. You will notice that the bottom of the pad is thicker than the top area, this is to add absorbency without adding so much bulk. The thicker side goes below the nipple to catch most of the milk. These are pretty soft and have held up very well in the wash and dryer. You do have to remember to face the thicker side down and face the mesh part towards your breast every time you use these nursing pads. This is one of the reasons I do not reach for these as often, I don’t want to worry about what side faces up or down. As a new mother learning how to breastfeed and adjust to a newborn you want things to be simple! There is no waterproof backing and it seems to soak right through during the night, especially on the top side where the cotton is thinner. The cotton itself is nice and soft and seems to stay in place, however, the pad takes a little more effort to use and isn’t “leak proof.”

Next we have the Cotton Washable Nursing Pads by Motherhood Maternity. These are simple round cotton nursing pads that seem to be a bit thicker than the Bravado brand. They are not as soft but I find myself reaching for these at night because they are pretty absorbent. They are a little bit stiff which helps to hold their shape and they don’t tend to scrunch up in your bra like some of the other do.  These do not have a waterproof backing so they can leak through if you leave them in too long or you are a super soaker. Because these are a bit stiff they tend to show if you are wearing a thinner bra and shirt, especially since they are not contoured to the shape of your breast. These are pretty inexpensive and fairly good reusable nursing pads to try if you’re just starting out.

Let’s start off with the Medela Disposable Nursing Bra Pads. I haven’t used the disposable nursing pads near as much as my reusable ones but I wanted to mention both types for this review. One of the good things about disposables is they are normally waterproof and stick to your bra so that they don’t slide around. This is good for night because we tend to shift around a lot in our sleep. The Medela brand worked pretty good for me, it isn’t super thick but I like that it is contoured to your breast shape. Medela also offers a reusable nursing pad that is contoured to your breast but it doesn’t feature a waterproof backing.

The last brand I want to mention is the Disposable Nursing Pads by Lansinoh. These were very similar to the Medela brand but maybe a little bit smaller in size. I think the inside felt a little softer but both of them are pretty comparable. They are contoured, have a waterproof backing, and stick to your bra. They come individually wrapped so that they are kept clean in your purse or bag.

I like to use reusable more than disposable products because of the waste they leave behind. Before I had any experience in breastfeeding/cloth diapering I ordered both types to see what I would like better. I found that I had enough cloth pads to keep me going and I never had to use my disposables even for backup. If you are set on using disposables they do offer eco-friendly brands that are made with more natural materials. This may be something to consider when making your choice. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money you can also use baby washcloths by folding them and stuffing them into your bra. You can double up for extra protection at night and they work pretty well unless you are a super soaker. (In that case I suggest something with a waterproof backing) The great thing about using baby washcloths is that you can use them for a ton of other things so you will deffinately get your money’s worth out of them!  Here is a video on 10 Alternative Uses for BABY WASHCLOTHS if you are interested in learning more.