Nursing pads comparison and reviews

Breastfeeding my girls for more than 2 years now, I have tried quite a lot of nursing pads out there. One after the other, I almost tried all of them expect the most expensive brand - Medela, which is like $3 to $4 more than the other brands. Honestly, until now I am still trying to find the best one since they all have its pros and cons.

There are two kinds of nursing pads: Disposable or Reusable. The disposable pads I tried included Johnson's Contour nursing pads, Gerber's NUK Ultra Thin Nursing pads, Avent's Nursing pads and Lansinoh's Disposable nursing pads. Reusable pads I tried Gerber's NUK Reusable nursing pads, LilyPadz's Reusable nursing pads and a little fold up wash cloth.


Compare Different Brands Disposable Nursing Pads 

Johnson's Contour Nursing Pads

Pros:

-Contour shape avoid the nipples showing issue

-Comfortable to wear

Cons:

-Not super absorbing (I had leaked a few times especially at night)

-Left linen on breasts

-Feel it when the pads got wet

Gerber NUK Ultra Thin Nursing Pads

Pros:

-Ultra Thin 

Cons:

-Without a padded bra, the pads make your breasts all lumpy looking

-Not super absorbing (Leakage happened in day and night)

-Need to be changed often due to nonabsorbent

-The sticker back is not sticky enough

-Pad move around a lot

-Feel it when the pads got wet

Avent Disposable Nursing Pads

Pros:

-Comfortable to wear

-Indent in the middle of pad for the nipple for better fit

Cons:

-The pad look like have a nipple on its own from outside (because of the nipple's indent)

-Only a tiny sticky strip at the back, not stick to bra at all

-Pad move around a lot cause leakage problem

-Feel it when the pads got wet

Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads

Pros:

-Ultra Thin
-Individual package for each pad
-Comfortable to wear
-Absorb the best compared to the above
-Bigger pad for better coverage

Cons:
-A crisp in the middle where it folded can be unattractive on the outside (usually can be solved by smoothing it out)
-The bigger size pad show outside the bra some times
-Sticky strip is sufficient but would be nicer if it is bigger


Compare Different Brands Reusable Nursing Pads

Gerber NUK Reusable Nursing Pads

Pros:
-Feel nice on skin and comfortable to wear
-Machine washable

Cons:
-Leak through easily without little amount of breastmilk
-Move around too much because there isn't any sticky part at all

LilyPadz Silicone Nursing Pads

Pros:

-Stick onto the breasts and won't move at all

-Silicone pads can be cleaned easily with soap and hot water

-Easy wipe off in between use instead of changing it out

-Reuse it up to 2 months per pair
-Prevent leakage by giving the nipple pressure directly

Cons:
-Trapped sweat in between the pads and breasts (especially summer time)
-Have to make sure the breasts are clean and dry prior to putting it on

Gerber Baby Washcloth (or any kind you have at home)
How to use it as nursing pads:
Fold it twice into little square shape, tuck it in between the breasts and bra

Pros:
-Cheap and comfortable
-Machine washable
-Absorb fast and a lot

Cons:
-Feel uncomfortable when it gets wet
-Need to change often so it won't leak through or get uncomfortable
-Not leak-proof

Right now, Little Panda Mommy latest testing product is LilyPadz Silicone Nursing Pads. I like it quite a lot. It prevents leaking. Since it sticks onto the skin, I don't need to worry about it moving around is a plus. The nipples showing issue will not happen at all because you supposed to press them in before you stick the edge onto the breasts (That's how it works). The only issue I have but not really a big deal is: every time I peel them off (it doesn't hurt at all), there is some sweat trapped in between and dripped on my pants. (I don't know is it because I am sweaty or other people have the same problem.)

My Favorite Disposable Nursing Pads Brand:  Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
My Favorite Reusable Nursing Pads Brand:  LilyPadz Silicone Nursing Pads

Tips:
I brought both my favorite pads from Target, Lansinoh Nursing Pads cost around $7-$8 most the time, when they go on sale a few time per year, stock up. I got 6 boxes last year when they went on sales for $5.5 per box (60-count). LilyPadz Nursing Pads price is all over the place, Target is selling it at less than $6. This is so far the best price I found.

Good luck on finding the nursing pads that fit your need.

Tips for new mom about breastfeeding

Just found out a few friends is expecting, so happy for them. They have been asking me a lot of questions since I have two little one under 3. Such as the pregnancy weight gain, ways to keep fit after the baby born, is breastfeed hurt and difficult?

I breastfed my first child until she was 11 months and still breastfeeding my little 9 months old baby now. I originally planned to nurse the older one until she turned 1 year old. But I was pregnant when she was 9 months old, tried my best and my body just couldn't stand it anymore. So I gave up to make sure my little one will have enough nutrient to grow in my belly.

I told my friends nursing don't hurt at all if you do it right.It takes a little time to get use to it, after all your nipples didn't use to all that sucking. My first few attempts wasn't very smooth but with the nurse assistance, my girl got what she needed.

It is very normal for new mom to have colostrum only in the first few days. A few drops of it is all your infant needed, don't worry about it may not be enough. Your smart little one will tell you by crying or at least fussing. Usually the milk supply comes in around 3-5 days. The breasts will engorge so much more than what you think was huge during pregnancy. Some mommies may experience leakage of colostrum or even before the baby is born. Try to buy some disposable or reusable nursing pads to avoid being embarrassed, it can soak your shirt all the way some time.  This is totally normal and don't need to be alarmed, unless it comes along with pain or the color of liquid isn't a light transparent yellow or white. If that happened or anything concern you, contact your health care provider right away.

Please prepare yourself mentally and physically before breastfeed your baby. It takes patient and a healthy body to be successful on this important job.

1. Get yourself well educated about the pros and cons of nursing.

Pros like:

For Baby: Breast milk is the best food choice for baby,  it is easy to digest and has all nutrients a baby needed.

For Mommy: it helps burn a lot of calories so you can slim down faster.

Also while the baby sucking the nipples, it simulate the uterus to contract and shrink back to its original size.

Cons like:

It can be very exhausted for the new mom since new born are known for frequent feeding and diapers changing. (Breastfeed baby need to be feed every 2-3 hours compare to formula feed every 3-4 hours.)

 Attending a nursing and new born care class will help you and your partner a lot (should be easily find in your local hospitals provide birthing service). If you are not up for it, don't worry, the nurses assist you in the ward will be happy to guide you through. In my case, they marked that I was a new mom, so every time a nurse came and checked on me would ask me whether I have a question and how the nursing goes.

There are a lot of feeding positions to choose from, find one that fit you and your baby the most will help a lot. I personally like the cradle post the best, some people like the football post, some like lying down (seem like the baby will need to burp more throughly using this post according to my experience). To find more information, pictures or videos of the feeding positions, please check out  http://www.breastfeeding.com/ .

2. Talk with your partner, family and friends about your decision

No matter you are going to breastfeed or formula feed your little one, make sure you communicate with your partner, the baby's grandparents, other family members and friends that are close to you.

I had a friend was so beat up and gave it up on day 3 because all the people listed above opposed to her decision of breastfeeding. So make sure you tell them loud and clear this is your choice for your and the baby, you would like their support and understanding. Some people believe the formula's commercials so much, the baby is smarter and healthier, they thought formula is better than breast milk. My solution to that is, bring them along to a doctor visit and have the doctor tell them which one is truly the best choice. (Make sure your doctor is on the same page ahead, some doctor worries the mom have too much pressure to breastfeed so they keep telling patients they are just the same and as good).

3. Stick with it but don't push yourself

I sure know you want to provide the best for your children. But don't beat yourself up if it is not working. Keep trying and ask for help when you needed. Don't be shy or feel embarrassed, we can't know it all and especially can use some extra help when we are new moms. Some moms or babies just can't do it, and if that is the case, feed your baby formula and enjoy the longer nap time you are going to get. (Formula are more filling than breast milk)

Remember, you just gave birth to a little baby which kind of like having a major surgery. Get all the rest and help you can get, take well care of yourself is the first thing you can do in order to provide the best caring to your little angel.

Congrats and take rest.