Breast Pad Breakdown

By: Lauralee Moss

If you are going to breastfeed, you will inevitably have leaks. I normally leak during the first two months and then taper off. Yet, as a teacher, I wear breast pads daily. (I can just imagine wet circles on my shirt while in front of 25 sixteen-year olds).

Having said that, I’ve used pretty much every disposable pad on the market. I’ve never had one fail to keep my bra and shirt dry, but the similarities end there.

Brand: Johnson’s and Johnson’s

Appearance: Small, thick circles with a nipple indentation

Packaging: Stacked in a box

Pros: These were quite invisible under clothes, even tight, non-printed shirts. They also stayed where I put them, and the nipple indentation was a nice bonus.

Cons: If the pad was only partially wet, fibers from the pad stuck to my nipple. Then I had to pick them off as my baby laid in my arms, open-mouthed. They also did not have the liquid “pull-away” technology that other pads boast. Once they were wet, your skin felt wet.

Brand: Avent

Appearance: Small, thin circles

Packaging: Stacked in a box

Pros: As previously mentioned, they did not leak.

Cons: I don’t think I finished the box of these. They did not withstand major leaks, and would tear if they go too wet. Plus, they did not lie smoothly. I always needed to be conscious of them because the edges curled up, making it looked like I was sloppily stuffing my bra.

Brand: Medela

Appearance: Larger, thin, flat circles. They have medium-sized folds that expand to better shape individual breasts.

Packaging: Individually wrapped

Pros: These had the lining that stayed dry on top, and the wetness turned into a gel underneath.

Cons: These probably showed the most under clothes. I could never get the folds all straight and it looked like I had a ridge under my shirt.

Brand: Lansinoh

Appearance: Larger, thin, flat circles. They have small folds that expand to better shape to individual breasts.

Packaging: Individually wrapped

Pros: When these get wet, a squishy gel forms and the wetness is pulled away from your skin. They are unnoticeable under clothes.

Cons: It takes both hands to place these straight, as you have to smooth out the folds.

Overall, Lansinoh is my favorite. They need repositioned if you don’t pull your bra piece up neatly, but that is very common with all of them. They keep my skin dry—important for such a sensitive area. Plus, the individually wrapped package is great because I can store them and not worry about them getting dirty before use.