Best pads for after birth

Using pads for after birth can be daunting for some. Which pads work best after birth? Here is a great solution for all of the women out there who are wanting to know what are the best pads for after birth.

I know that I have written about postpartum pads before....but now that the newest addition of our family has arrived (Claire Belle), I have had the opportunity to test out the best pads for after birth. Made with soft and absorbent bamboo fleece, incredibly absorbent Zorb and waterproof PUL, the Mamma Can Do It postpartum pad design is as soft and gentle as it is absorbent. It wicks moisture away from mama's skin and even keeps the gushes in check.

The first 24 hours after birth is the heaviest flow. A heavy duty pad and shell for after birth is required. The best pad for after birth has a waterproof shell that the wearer can put a cloth or disposable pad inside. The shell has gussets that keep gushes in place so there are no leaks and no stains. If the wearer prefers disposable pads, it is simple to remove and stick into the shell. The cloth option has a snap that snaps into place into the shell. What's even better is the 'ice pocket' that is built into the shell. Painful tears and stitches are no match to this pad system.

Once the gushes subside, there will be a few weeks of heavy bleeding. A heavy, yet manageable all in one pad for after birth is required. The best pad for after birth has a waterproof outer layer, soft bamboo fleece and absorbent zorb fabric. It is the perfect shape to fit any panty and even has 3 size options for wings to snap into place. The pad for after birth is extremely comfortable as well as manageable for a busy lifestyle. When postpartum bleeding is done, simply use these pads for excessive bleeding or overnight pads.

My personal experience - December 2012:

I designed these pads, yet I still started out with disposables when my latest daughter was born. My midwife had disposable pads and Depends ready for me promptly after birth. I wasn't going to argue. When I did change into my postpartum pad system, I was pleasantly amazed at the difference! They fit better since I used my own underwear. They absorbed faster and kept me feeling dry better. The best part about the cloth pad after birth was the comfort. Oh my...these postpartum pads for after birth are so comfortable. Softness on the skin after such a traumatic time is worth every second to make them. I will be sharing my experience with my midwife so that she can hopefully help others have a more comfortable experience as well.

My only concern with using these was the washing. My solution: I have decided to keep a small tote under my sink with water and vinegar to put the pads for after birth into. Although I prefer to wash my pads & diapers every other day, by keeping them in water and vinegar will prolong the washing to a week. This way I won't have to depend on other people to wash them for me.

Overall, the pads for after birth pattern rocks! Try it out - you'll wish you had!

Postpartum Pad Pattern is ready!

I finally have the cloth postpartum pad pattern ready to use! It includes a waterproof shell, insert and AIO postpartum pad pattern (doubles as an overnight pad). There are gussets to keep the first week messes into place as well as an INCREDIBLY absorbent insert (a whopping 8 oz).

After a woman has a baby (postpartum), she needs quite a bit more flow protection than normal. Not only is postpartum flow protection expensive, but most pads are not even practical for the “gush” that happens. By choosing reusable cloth postpartum pads, you will be saving your body against chemically infused materials, you will have a pad that is adequate to handle your flow postpartum, you will have a soft and comfortable pad against your sensitive skin AND you will save an incredible amount of money.

This postpartum pad pattern is a 3 part system to give you all the protection you need after having a baby. 

The Postpartum Pad Shell Pattern:

This postpartum pad shell is designed to keep either disposable or cloth pads in place during the first week after a baby is born. This is the most 'messy' time for a new mom. During this time, you will find that the gussets of the shell keep the “gush” moments in place without fear of soiling clothing. There is a built in pocket for putting a baggy full of crushed ice, a snap for holding a cloth insert into place (if you choose to use cloth), and double snaps with three size settings for keeping the shell attached to your panties.
The postpartum pad shell is designed to be washed in the washing machine when soiled, however – you should get many pad changes out of one pad shell. Simply unsnap the insert if using cloth, or remove the disposable pad. Wipe the pad shell with toilet paper if there is anything on it and add a clean insert or pad. This saves time, cost to make and patience. 

The Postpartum Shell Insert Pattern:

This shell insert (the soaker) is to be used with a shell. It does not have a waterproof layer so it is important that it snaps into the shell to stay into place. If this insert is made with recommended fabrics it can hold up to 8 ounces of fluid – this absorbency is double then the leading disposable overnight maxi pads. The recommended soft fabric gives your sensitive skin a break from harsh disposable pads. 

The AIO (all in one) Postpartum Pad Pattern :

When the first week postpartum is over, blood flow slows down considerably. This is the time to switch to an 'overnight' pad. The AIO postpartum pad makes it easy to switch! 

The AIO postpartum pad has the absorbency and leakproofness built right in. It has wings that have  double snaps with three size settings for keeping the pad attached to your panties and in place. 

If you choose to use the recommended fabrics, the AIO postpartum pad will hold up to 4 oz of fluid. This is the same absorbency as the leading disposable brand, yet MUCH more soft and comfortable.

When your postpartum flow is over, simply use these pads for heavy days or overnight.

THIS POSTPARTUM PAD PATTERN & TUTORIAL INCLUDES

A tutorial for a postpartum shell pattern – use with cloth or disposable pads

• Step by step directions with crisp, real life images for each step
• Snapped wings with 3 size adjustments
• Gussets

A tutorial for a postpartum shell insert pattern – perfect fit for the shell

• Step by step directions with crisp, real life images for each step
• Snap in insert stays in place
• Holds 8 oz of fluid

A tutorial for the AIO postpartum pad pattern (also doubles as an overnight pad)

• Step by step directions with crisp, real life images for each step
• Snapped wings with 3 size adjustments
• Holds 4 oz of fluid

Printable pattern pieces

• Postpartum pad shell
• Postpartum pad shell insert
• AIO postpartum pad (overnight pad)
• Gussets

Recommended fabrics 

Budget friendly fabric & notion ideas

Cutting charts to get the most out of fabric

Tips on how many pads to make

Tricks on how to sew recommended fabrics, using snaps & places to buy supplies for best prices

100% support from a professional seamstress



Want to check it out? Visit my website for the postpartum pad pattern!

Postpartum Pad pattern coming up!

Postpartum Pad Pattern coming soon!

This postpartum pad pattern makes it easy and cheap to make your own soft, comfortable, and absorbent postpartum pads.

After countless hours of ideas, research and trials,  I have come up with a new idea - a new postpartum pad pattern. It will be available soon (hopefully next week) on my website, www.mammacandoit.com.

What is bleeding like after birth?

I'm not going to lie: it's terrible. Any period that you have ever had could not compare to what you are going to experience. The first 3 days are the worst, then it slows considerably. 

During the first 3 days it is not uncommon to soak the largest pad available upon standing. Because the vagina is actually shaped like a 'cup', blood pools up inside of a woman. When she stands, it is common to feel as if blood is pouring out of the vagina. Many times it will leak out of the sides of a pad and cause a huge mess.

After the first 3 days, the bleeding becomes slowed a bit, but is still comparable to your heaviest period ever. You will still need pads that have optimum soaking capability. 

In my experience, if I stay in bed for the first 7-10 days (torture) after birth, bleeding will be completely stopped by 3 weeks. However, I have also experienced "toughing it out" and not getting optimum rest...the bleeding did not stop until 8 weeks. 

Try your best to get someone to help you during that first two weeks so that you will not be handicap with bleeding, otherwise, be prepared for a murder scene in the bathroom for the first 2 months or so.

Why use cloth after birth?

-Not only is cloth a cost effective way to deal with postpartum (after birth) bleeding, but it is incredibly comfortable. Comfort in such an 'uncomfortable' time is the number one reason why anyone would use cloth.

-Did I mention cost effective? The typical cost of disposable postpartum protection is about $150-$200 depending on what products that you use and how long bleeding lasts. By using cloth, you can make your own postpartum pads for $30 or less....AND they'll be available for heavy period days as well as the next time you get pregnant.

-Stay dryer longer: My soaker (insert) pad that is included in this postpartum pad pattern holds up to 8 oz of fluid. To compare I tested an Always maxi overnight....but it only held 4 oz. That's double protection!

-The gussets are reason enough! Disposable pads don't have them....you absolutely can't go without gussets the first 3 days after birth.

-Disposable paper products have been shown to tear out stitches and it also does not absorb quite enough, fast enough the first few days. Thus you will encounter leaks. By using my suggested fabrics you will not encounter leaks because these are designed to readily soak up the quick postpartum flow.

-Disposable paper products have been treated with multiple chemicals - by using cloth, you will save your sensitive skin from being exposed to these harsh chemicals. 

-There are few, if any products available in supermarkets that are designed specifically for postpartum bleeding protection. By making your own postpartum pads, you will have unlimited access to products designed specifically for after birth mamas.

Postpartum Pad Pattern Features

This postpartum pad pattern is designed for convenient, cost effective, safe protection after a baby is born. It features a two part system: an outer, waterproof shell and a snap in super soft and absorbent soaker to keep you comfortable and dry.

This postpartum pad pattern has a wipeable, outer, waterproof shell. This not only saves on the cost to make these pads, but also will save time in the bathroom. Simply snap in an absorbent pad inside the shell and voila - safe and secure protection. The outside of the postpartum pad shell is a cute cotton print so you can feel feminine even in an uncomfortable time.

Don't worry about 'side leaks' - this postpartum pad pattern includes directions on how to make leakproof gussets. This is worth it's weight in GOLD the first 3 days after giving birth.

The postpartum pad pattern also has optional wings to snap the postpartum pad to panties so that you don't have to worry about shifting.

Ice packs are wonderful the first couple days to calm sore tissues, so this postpartum pad design has a pocket to place an icepack to keep you cool in sensitive areas.

The snap in soaker in this postpartum pad pattern design is designed to be absolutely wonderful. The fabrics that I suggest using will keep you feeling dry and pampered by how comfortable it is (so so soooo much better than disposables).

Among all of these features, I will also be including an "all in one" pad pattern and tutorial for after the heaviest flow (lochia) has slowed down. This pad will also double as a superior overnight pad or incontinence protection.

Also included in the postpartum pad pattern & tutorial will be printable pattern pieces, step by step images for each step, budget friendly fabric suggestions, helpful hints and tips and so much more!