Best breast and nursing pads for breastfeeding mums

“Lansinoh has very good 'stickage' and absorbency.”

“I like Lansinoh because they are quite thin and stay stuck to your bra.”

Lansinoh’snipple creamis highly rated by Mumsnet users and so are their excellent value disposable nursing pads. They are very thin and lightweight, but can hold up to 20 times their own weight thanks to a special absorbent core.

They also have two adhesive strips to hold them in place. This helps you to shape them around your boobs for maximum coverage and minimal leaks.

The pads are individually wrapped, making it easier to slip them into yourchanging bag. This also means that you can change them after each feed if you need to. While some Mumsnet users say that these breast pads are over-packaged, it does make them more hygienic. The packaging is also recyclable.

Price: £5.50 for 60

“I love the Tommee Tippee. If you don't like the adhesive, then don't use it. I never have.”

Tommee Tippee’s Closer to Nature Breast Pads are among the cheapest on the market but still offer great quality for the majority of mums. They have a special moisture-trapping layer and are individually wrapped so that they stay hygienic.

The adhesive isn’t as sticky as on some breast pads, but some Mumsnetters recommend not using the adhesive at all. That way, you can slip them in and out of your bra whenever you feed.

“They’re much more comfy, less sweaty and they stay in place better than disposable pads. Less fiddly too as there’s no wrapping.”

BabyBliss’s reusable pads come in three sizes so you can easily find one to suit your cup size. They also come with an organza laundry bag to keep them together in the wash.

Made from super-soft bamboo, these organic breast pads feel nice against the skin but also have a polyester outer layer to make them really absorbent.

Price: £11.99 for 14

“I love Johnson’s ones. They’re more expensive than others, but are very comfortable and don’t wrinkle up – but maybe it’s just my big boobs.”

Johnson’s Baby Nursing Pads have a domed shape to protect against nipple irritation, and users say they’re ideal if your cup size is on the bigger end of the scale. The shape stops them from folding up which makes them more comfortable to wear.

They also have a breathable backing, so offer all the advantages of disposable breast pads without the sweaty feeling you can sometimes get.

Price: £4.49 for 30

“I have LittleLamb ones. Never used anything else, but these are very absorbent. Downside is that they are more expensive and take a while to dry (due to being made of bamboo, which makes them super absorbent).”

LittleLamb Bamboo Breast Pads come in two sizes – 11cm and 13cm. Because they're woven rather than knitted, you get three times the yarn in any one place, which makes them really absorbent.

It does mean that they shed a few fibres for the first dozen or so washes though, and woven bamboo also shrinks by up to 10%, but woven yarn that’s shrunk actually absorbs more. They even come with their own laundry bag too.

Price: £14 for 10

“I used LilyPadz which are reusable, non-absorbent silicone pads. They were amazing!”

LilyPadz are a great alternative to conventional breast pads. Rather than soaking up your breast milk as a regular pad would, they are actually non-absorbent and designed, instead, to use a small amount of pressure to limit leaks – but you may want to avoid these if you have a history ofmastitis.

The makers also reckon you can go braless with them, although that would very much depend on the stage of your breastfeeding journey and how sore your boobs are.

The pads have been midwife-approved and clinical trial-tested. They are washable and reusable for weeks. Wash with a moisturiser and oil-free detergent when needed, then air dry and re-apply.

“I prefer the Medela breast pads. They are softer.”

Medula’s breast pads have a natural-fibre lining, making them extra gentle on the skin. They’re ideal for the early days of feeding when it’s likely your breasts will be super sensitive.

The pads also have an ultra-absorbent core that distributes moisture evenly around the pad by turning it into a gel, keeping it away from your breasts.

Each one comes individually wrapped to keep them clean and lint-free. And with two adhesive strips at the back on the waterproof layer, these pads won’t slip around.

Price: £5.99 for 60

“They collect the milk rather than soaking through loads of pads, and give your nipples a bit of space/air for healing.”

Elvie, the makers of thefirst silent wearable breast pump(also a Mumsnet Best winner), have designed an alternative to breast pads that don’t just absorb leaked milk, they collect it – up to 1oz or 30ml per cup.

The silicone cups sit neatly in your bra and you can then use the collected milk as a top-up feed or to put in your baby’s bath or on their skin –breast milk is supposed to be good for baby acne, cracked nipples or epistimotemy stitches.

每个杯周围是一个公关的硅胶裙events slippage and can be rotated to find your best fit. Once in place, the cup can collect milk for up to three hours before it needs emptying, cleaning and drying.

“I used ones from the Cheeky Wipes website and I really liked them.”

Cheeky Mama’s Bamboo Breast Pads are shaped for a close fit, making them ideal for smaller boobs. They come in a pack of six (three pairs) and are 11cm in diameter.

There’s a cotton top against your skin, a cotton inner and a PUL backing, meaning they are thinner than many disposable pads and soft to wear. You can wash them at 40 degrees.

Price: £9 for three pairs

“I started out with disposable Eco by Naty ones. They’re not adhesive so they don't stick to nipples.”

If you want disposable pads without damaging the environment, Eco by Naty Nursing Pads tick all the boxes.

They are soft, absorbent and thin enough to be discreet, but also made from 100% chlorine-free natural and renewable materials – and the packaging is recyclable.

The breathable and natural lining, which draws milk towards the absorbent core, helps to reduce irritation.

Price: £3.35 for 30