how can I avoid spending a fortune on breast pads?

[apple_blossom]

I've been breastfeeding for 3 months now, and I'm spending the same on breastpads as I do on diapers. We can hardly keep up. I really don't have time to be washing cloth ones, and I leak so much that I don't think they'd fit the bill anyways. What can I do?

[Annice1234]

I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your question...and I'm sorry I'm asking a question in your post...but it's the same topic, so I didn't wanta waste another post.  I'm just curious...when do you start leaking?  I had my son on June 4th, and have been breasfeeding since then.  I am not leaking yet, and am wondering if I will start to??

Thanks!!

[taysmommy]

really? i bought a box of 200, all different sizes and it only cost 5.99 at babies r us, i bought them with dd and still have a few left 16 months later, and i still leak sometimes lol, but i wear a padded bra that takes care of that problem, off brand pads work the same, although i think mine were name brand just really cheap? have you checked on ebay? i never go on the site but they sell so much stuff maybe theyll have somethin for ya

[taysmommy]

you might not leak at all, but it took me a few months (after i was engorged) to start leaking,

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I didn't leak a lot with either of my kids.  Just lucky I guess.

OP, someone mentioned on other forum that they cut pantyliners in half.

[apple_blossom]

I've been leaking the whole time, and if I get cheapo pads, I just end up soaking through them before I get a chance to change them. Plus I live in Mexico, so the assortment isn't that great.
I go through 36 in less than 2 weeks - the same time ds takes to use 40 diapers! And that's if they're the kind I can pretty much chance once a day.

[Debbie@38]

I made my own.  I went to the fabric store and bought fannel material and cut them out on circle sewed around the edges.  A yard of flannel material goes a long way and I just through them in the wash machine.  They worked perfect for me.

[have 2 kids]

I've never heard of anyone leaking like that.  Must be very discouraging.   Are you wearing a good support bra at all times.  My friend told me that helped so she didn't leak so much.  

[AnnieBrooke]

The only way to avoid spending a lot if you are leaking that much is to use the kind that are washable, and wash them.  You can buy them or make them; someone told me they can be made out of old t-shirts (several layers thick) and you can even sew a non-permeable back on them.  I've looked at my son's outgrown Pampers with fashioning them into breast pads in mind, LOL.  They would be a lot more absorbent.

[apple_blossom]

yeah, I was thinking the same thing! lol

I can soak a quarter of a shirt before noticing it if I'm feeding ds. That's when I really have problems, but I sometimes leak other times, if I'm too full or if something stimulates let-down.

[Debbie@38]

Oh forgot...You can also use the old fashion cloth diapers to make your breast pads, by using several layers.  But it also helps if you or someone you know sews.

[AnnieBrooke]

Well, if you're at home alone, nobody will see if you jam the Pampers into your other half.  :)  I've also thought of catching the spillover in a clean little jar and giving it to the baby.  That would be a sight to see.

[pixijal]

I have always been a leaker, and I use cloth ones.  I love them, and usually only have to use one set a day.  They work better than you think....maybe you should skip up to 'motherhood', and make a small purchase.  Just buy a small pack, and try them out....they may be the answer to your problem.

I am the WORST w/keeping up on laundry, and I have enough to last me 5 days w/out doing laundry.

[amberd5191]

I had the same problem I breastfed my son until he was 13 months and leaked like that until the end (now I'm only 9 weeks pregnant and I'm starting the pattern again) My only advice on pads is a certain brand that I have been able to get to last the longest here they are about $6 a box and have 70 pads in them. There called Lansinoh, hope this helps. Good luck!

[kris123]

There are breast sheilds made of plastic - I will do a search and try to find some info on them - both my sister used them.

[mum2beagain]

you could use these;

http://www.breastpumpsdirect.com/LilyPadz_Nursing_Pads_p/padz.htm

I leek pretty often to, I use the Johnsons breast pads, I find they are the thickest and I have to wear them day and night so I use 28 a week (so a box of 36 don't go far!). If I feel let down I just fold my arms across my body and apply pressure to my nipples this usually stops the flow so the pads don't get soaked and know one knows what you are doing!

[gml24]

I just wanted to say I have the same problem!  I thought it was all women but apparently only an unlucky few leak so much.  My friend who has a five month old baby has never even had to use breast pads and has never leaked through any of her clothes.  I tried ordering those lily padz silicone ones, but it turns out they don't work if you leak a lot, which is ironic because the only people who really need them are probably the women who leak a lot, lol.  I was thinking about checking on e bay, maybe someone is selling a bunch for cheap because they overbought.

[casey's mom]

I'd suggest using panty liners (cut them in half). I heard this works well. Good luck.

[lovefamily]

Yep, I used pantyliners.  Cut them in half and peeled the back off and stuck them in my bra.  They stayed put and it was very cost effective.  May sure you get unsented.

[Tempuress]

Honey do you have a site where people from ur area go online to advertise free things , (like here we have a site for people looking to buy, get for free and sell ect) and if u do go on it and see if anyone has anything like that (new of course) that they just dont need anymore looking to give away or post an add saying u need them and are low on money. You'd be surprised how many people are so helpfull out there.

[neparker]

You know, I had my daughter June 3rd, and I haven't leaked yet either.  I haven't even gotten engorged... how do I know if I am producing enough milk for her?  I remember from my past breast feeding experiences being engorged and just HUGE.  Not this time... that's why I'm concerned.