How Many Breast Pads Should I Pack In My Hospital Bag?

How Many Breast Pads Do I Need For Hospital?

Breast pads are an essential hospital bag item. They help prevent milk from leaky breasts staining your clothes and causing embarrassment.

Breast pads, also known as nursing pads, are protective liners worn over the nipple and inside the bra to prevent milk leakage.

Whether you have chosen to breastfeed or not, you must take some nursing pads with you to the hospital.

Even though it is unlikely that your breasts will leak milk in the first few days after birth, there is no guarantee that you won’t.

Some women have been known to have their milk come in the very next day after birth. And so needing breast pads.

In fact, some women leak colostrum while pregnant and start to use breast pads before their baby arrives.

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How Many Breast Pads To Take To Hospital?

You should pack 5-10 breast pads in your hospital bag. They will come in very handy should your milk come in early and you start to leak while in hospital.

However, if you’ve been leaking colostrum during your pregnancy, then you will need at least 4 nursing pads per day.

Nursing pads can also be used to prevent your bra from being stained after applying nipple cream.

On the off chance that you do stay in hospital for a few extra days, and your milk comes in before you go home, then you’ll be glad you packed some breast pads in your hospital bag.

Qualities Of A Good Breast Pad

1- Soft and Comfortable

A good breast pad should be soft and comfortable. This is a very important factor to prevent chafing and friction against nipples (that will most likely be very sore).

Also, nursing pads should not be itchy.

2- Super Absorbent

Your breast pad must have a great sponge-like quality.

The more absorbent it is the better to prevent unnecessary embarrassment when you’re out and about.

3- Breathable Material

Cotton, bamboo and polyester nursing pads are great because they are breathable.

This will prevent constant exposure to moisture which can lead to sore nipples, irritation, and infections like thrush and mastitis.

4- Stays In Place

The breast pad you choose should be the type that will stay put when placed inside your bra.

If not, then, your nursing pads will wiggle around inside your breast and not cover the nipple leading to greater chances for stained tops.

Many disposable breast pads come with adhesive strips that allow you to carefully affix them into your bra without them shifting.

Types Of Breast Pads

There are several types of breast pads. They are mainly classified according to the materials from which they are made.

1- Disposable Breast Pads

As the name suggests, disposable breast pads are for one-time use. They usually come lined with adhesive strips for easy attachment to your bra.

They are great for when you are going to be out for several hours, travelling, when going into hospital for labour and even when you’re sleeping at night and don’t want to get the sheets stained.

Depending on how much milk you leak, they tend to be the pricer option over time.

But there are usually different store brands so they are not usually expensive.

I’ve also found personally, that they do itch a lot! So, that’s something to keep in mind.

You may want to try out a few brands to see what works best for you.

This brand has very good reviews, they are worth checking out.

2- Reuseable Breast Pads

Reuseable breast pads are meant to be used over and over again.

They are usually made of cotton or bamboo (a very soft material). And they can be washed after use.

Many women prefer reusable nursing pads because they find them softer than disposables. Also, over time, they are a cheaper option.

And as they are usually made from sustainable natural materials, they are environmentally friendly.

3- Silicone Breast Pads

Silicone breast pads work differently from the first two mentioned above.

They prevent breast milk from leaking by applying gentle pressure on the breasts. So, they are non-absorbent.

They are usually sticky and can be worn directly on the breast without the need for a bra.

Silicone pads are great for swimming and fancy dresses.

4- DIY Breast Pads

You can get creative and make your own homemade breast pads. Turn on your DIY skills and cut out a circular piece from a nappy or a maternity pad.

You can also fold a baby washcloth or cut out a portion of a soft towel and place it inside your bra.

Many mothers vouch by muslin squares as well. Take a small muslin cloth and stuff it into your bra if you’re out and forgot to bring a breast pad along.

Wrapping Up,

Packing breast pads in your hospital bag is a smart thing to do. Whether or not you leak milk, it wouldn’t hurt to have them with you.

Plus, they are lightweight and would not add much extra weight to your hospital bag.

Remember that despite the feeding method you have decided to adopt – breastfeeding or bottle feeding – you can still leak breast milk. So, having nursing pads on hand will be very practical.

Other related posts:

• Last-minute hospital bag items
• 15 hospital bag items you mustn’t forget
• What to wear when giving birth
• How big should your hospital bag be?

Wishing you a safe delivery and a healthy baby!