Nursing pads are essential for your breastfeeding journey, but how can you repurpose your nursing pads after you’re done weaning?
We’ve got you covered, mama! There are plenty of ways you can repurpose your washable nursing pads.
Repurposing your washable nursing pads
What about after your supply is established, you’ve gotten into a groove with your schedule, and you’ve been back at work long enough to have a routine? Now you have nursing pads with no leaks to use them against.
Washable nursing pads are remarkably versatile! They’re compact, soft, and durable, making them the perfect go-to for many things.
Take care of yourself:
- Makeup remover: Ditch the disposable cotton swabs in favor of your soft, washable nursing pads when it’s time to remove your makeup. They’re the right size and will feel soft on your face.
- Give yourself a little boost: Use your breast pads for a little extra lift, without having to invest in a new pushup bra!
- Quick towel: Keep a few nursing pads in your purse for unexpected small spills, post-lunch face-dabs, quick sweat blotters, or lipstick-fixers.
Take care of your home:
- Whiteboard eraser: Because one side of each nursing pad is soft velour, it’s well-suited to erase your grocery lists, to-do lists, reminders, calendar – whatever whiteboards you have at home or work! The compact size makes nursing pads easy to store, and their unassuming shape (either basic circles or hearts) means most people won’t think twice if they see you using one in this manner.
- Coaster: Trust us, you’ll want to hide your nice ceramic coasters once your little one starts pulling up on furniture and exploring everything they can get their hands on. Using your washed nursing pads as coasters will help prevent water rings without risking injury to your baby or broken decorative coasters.
- Duster: Run the soft velour side of a nursing pad along furniture, blinds, or any other surface collecting dust.
- Mirror cloth: Along the same lines, try the velour side of a nursing pad to wipe down mirrors and other glass surfaces. It’s eco-friendly and less likely to streak than a paper towel.
- Plant mat: Did your friends and relatives bring plants to celebrate your new arrival? Use nursing pads underneath the pots to absorb any excess water that might seep out the sides. (If you’re anything like us, you’ll forget to water while dealing with a newborn and may overcompensate when you do remember! The last thing you need is another spill to take care of.)
Don’t skip the nursing pads just because you don’t think you’ll need them after a week or two. They could offer significant relief during those early and transition weeks of breastfeeding, and you’ll be able to get plenty of use out of them once leaking is no longer an issue for you! Once you re-purpose your pads, don’t use them as a nursing pad.
Why and when do you need nursing pads?
You might be wondering if it’s even worth investing in nursing pads. Nursing pads provide a layer of protection between your breasts and your clothing in case your breastmilk leaks between feedings or pumping sessions. Leaks can be embarrassing at the wrong time, can stain your clothes, or can dry and leave you with the smell of sour breastmilk until you have the opportunity to change.
Not everyone leaks enough to need nursing pads, and some people find they really only need them for the first few days or weeks of breastfeeding, while their milk production is established and regulates with baby’s needs. You might also find that you only need nursing pads in certain situations, such as:
- When you’re separated from your baby for longer than you usually are between feedings or miss a pumping session
- When you go back to work after maternity leave
- At night, especially when your baby starts sleeping for longer stretches of time
- When you have an oversupply of breastmilk – more milk than your baby needs at a time
It doesn’t hurt to have some nursing pads handy from the start. They’re inexpensive and easy to use: simply place them inside your bra or your nursing tank top. You’ll want to replace them once they’re wet to avoid leaking out of the sides and to keep your skin dry, so having more than one pair is ideal.
References:
VeryWell Family: 5 Types of Nursing Pads
https://www.verywellfamily.com/nursing-pads-431560