cloth nursing pads questions

[jayell79]

Would you buy used ones? I would be scared of possibly being exposed to a thrush infection. I know you could boil them, but isn't thrush really resistant?

I've only used wool pads before. While I love that you can air dry them between uses, the ones I had (LanaCare) were bulky, bunched, and showed under clothes. Plus they seemed like overkill, I never leaked that much at all. Does anyone make thin contoured wool pads?

If I went with cotton/bamboo/hemp ones (that have to be washed after every use) how many should I have? And how do you wash them, with cloth diapers or regular clothes? I would be kinda grossed out putting them in w/ CD, unless I used bleach or something since they touch what goes in the baby's mouth.

[imnottelling]

I myself wouldn't buy used.
I wash my cotton ones with regular clothing. You may want to make sure not to use fabric softener/dryer sheets in the load.

[jayell79]

What about wool pads made from recycled sweaters? I feel ify about those to, but new virgin wool pads are so expensive.

[imnottelling]

For some reason that doesn't bother me as much. I'm fine with second hand clothing, but not for um undergarment types of things...if it wasn't used as such, it doesn't bother me (well, emotionally...being allergic to wool would mean it would bother me physically :P)

[rcima]

I feel uncomfortable buying used nursing pads, too. I wash mine with CDs but I do a warm rinse with just the CDs, then throw the nursing pads in for the full wash cycle. I've never had a problem. I've been itching to try wool, too.

[jayell79]

Wool has it's advantages for sure. The biggest for me is that you really only need 2 pairs, since you can air dry between uses. I only needed to wash them maybe every other week, sometimes I just rinsed w/ warm water. With cloth, you've got to wash them every use so I'm assuming you'd need a ton more. I just don't know exactly how many I would need, so cost wise I could end up spending more.

[ChocoMeijin]

I've bought used nursing pads before, didn't have any issues and i didn't do anything special to them. I guess if the seller is up front about thrush etc. there shouldn't be a problem? I'd say it's exactly like buying a used diaper, you never know if there's a yeast infection going on there.

[specialdelivery]

I don't think virgin wool is absolutely necessary. If you wash them (used pads or sweaters you plan to upcycle) in a long, hot cycle or boil them that should kill any germs that may have been lingering.