Finding the best breast pads can be an absolute life-saver as a new mother. When I fell pregnant with my first child, I immediately stocked up on maternity leggings, maternity knickers and a very chic changing bag. Little did I know, however, how integral to my daily life the humble breast pad would become - even before my baby arrived.
Breast pads, also known as nursing pads, are small absorbent discs that slip inside your bra and soak up leaked breast milk and prevent the dreaded leakage. They can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, plastic, bamboo and polyester, and come in different shapes and sizes to fit every breast shape. Obviously GLAMOUR hugely champions sustainability so we’re here for the brands who are creating reusable breast pads to help us all do our part for the planet.
It’s worth stocking up on some breast pads well before your due date because your breasts can actually start producing milk as early as the second trimester of pregnancy (who knew?), and continue to produce milk up to two years after you’ve stopped breastfeeding.
It's also worth knowing that your breasts may start producing milk at random times in the run-up to birth and then whilst you sleep, shower and even when your baby is crying. Thankfully, breast pads exist and serve to catch any leaked milk and keep our delicate skin dry and infection-free.
To help you combat any unwanted leakage, we've tried and tested the best breast pads on the market in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes to help you choose the right one for you.
How we tested:
We tried out the best breast pads over the course of a year - whilst pregnant, nursing and whilst weaning off breastfeeding. We wore them from morning latte to lights out, overnight, and even on our Website Director's wedding day beneath her dress. Following our rigorous testing process, we've marked them on comfort, sustainability, absorption, price and ease of use (because no one wants to be re-sticking a breast pad on in public, do they?).
Best breast pads 2023 at a glance
“Breast pads are, quite simply, small, absorptive pads which pop inside the bra to soak up any breast milk which leaks during pregnancy or breastfeeding,” explains midwife and expert speaker at The Baby Show, Rachel FitzD, .
“Whilst great for protecting clothes from oily, smelly milk stains and the sometimes embarrassingly visible, wet rings, they can sometimes sit there for too long, keeping the nipples soggy and causing soreness. It is essential, therefore, that they are changed frequently and, to avoid irritation, the reusable type should be washed in non-perfumed, non-biological laundry products, rinsed thoroughly and not put through a conditioning rinse.”
Although many women find they need pads in the last few weeks of pregnancy and the first few months after birth, many women never leak, or find that leaking stops as their supply settles down. “If you don’t leak, don’t worry - it says nothing about your supply, just that you don’t have leaky nipples,” she adds.
Now you're clued-up on what exactly breast pads are designed for, scroll down to shop the best breast pad for your motherhood journey…
Ahead, our edit of the best breast pads to add to your checkout.
1. Best breast pads overallLansinoh Disposable Breast Pads - Pack of 60, £6, Boots.comMade from: Natural, bamboo fibres
Specifications: These handy breast pads have a BlueLock core made from natural, bamboo fibres which offers fast absorption, leaving skin feeling clean and dry. The pads are also contoured in a teardrop shaped for a more comfortable fit. They also have a waterproof outer layer for extra protection. In fact, they're capable of holding up to 20x their weight in milk.
Why we love it: These were our Website Director's ride-or-die maternity leave staple. They come in handy little woven plastic packs for both convenience and hygiene, making them easy to throw in your handbag or pocket discretely. There's a lining that draws milk away from the skin and into the core of the pad where it is absorbed by a special polymer to prevent leakage - and they honestly work (even when accidentally left in for hours and hours). Every mum's worst nightmare is their breast pad slipping out but thankfully these have two very hardworking non-slip adhesive tapes that firmly keep the pad in place, even when worn under a wedding dress throughout the entire day (trust us, we tried it!). Despite the fact they hold 20x their weight in milk, they're thin and well contoured so they don't show through your clothes.
Save when you shop for the best breast pads with these Boots discount codes.
2. Best breast pads for valueNUK Ultra Dry Comfort Disposable Breast Pads (Pack of 30)Made from: A breathable outer layer and extra-soft fleece lining
Specifications: These pads are anatomically designed to fit your exact breast shape; they're also designed to be very discreet under clothing. The special inner layer with integrated liquid retention makes them highly absorbent and their extra-soft fleece deign ensures they don't stick to the delicate skin.
Why we love it: NUK Ultra Dry Comfort Disposable Breast Pads cost £2.99 for a pack of 30, which isn't miles cheaper than rival brands, but you feel like you're getting bang for your buck because of how hardworking they are. Not only are they are super comfortable and don't irritate that delicate area around your nipple thanks to the fleece material, they are also highly absorbent and are ideal for nighttime leaks when your milk production can go into overdrive. For the eco-conscious mothers, they come wrapped together in minimal packaging.
Save when you shop for the best breast pads with these Amazon discount codes.
3. Best breast pads for sore and cracked nipplesCarriwell Natural Silk Washable Breast Pads WhiteMade from: Natural silk
Specifications: These natural silk washable breast pads are touted as the ultimate breast pads for the treatment or prevention of cracked nipples - if you know, you know. The natural anti-inflammatory properties in silk soothe, cool and heal sensitive and sore nipples and these breast pads are also breathable, leak-proof and designed to mould perfectly to your exact breast. They're also machine washable.
Why we love it: Did you know that on average, women will use approximately 3000 disposable breast pads? Eek. That's why more and more mothers are turning to reusable breast pads - and these have the added benefit of actually treating your sore nipples whilst preventing leakage. These breast pads feel luxurious and indulgent and are a lovely relief from the pain that often comes with breastfeeding. As well as working to soothe and heal your chapped nipples, these pads help prevent the same from happening again thanks to a super absorbent layer designed to move moisture away from the skin and a breathable leak-proof layer that traps it.
Save when you shop for the best breast pads with these Amazon discount codes.
4. Best breast pads for eco credentialsNursing PadsMade from: Top layer: soft and certified bamboo, tissue: wood pulp, bottom layer and wrapping: 100% certified compostable
Specifications: If you're looking for major eco credentials, these Eco by Naty Nursing Pads tick all the sustainability boxes so you can opt for disposable pads but still keep the planet in mind. The pads have a soft and breathable bamboo top layer, a core made from absorbing wood pulp and a bottom layer made from a certified compostable waterproof barrier material.
Why we love it: It's hard to keep up your eco credentials when you have a screaming baby (and leaky boobs) to deal with, which is why these breast pads help you do your bit. As well as being planet-friendly, the natural materials used in these pads beat irritation. We get it: they're not totally waste-free because they're disposable but they are packaged in certified compostable film inside a recyclable cardboard box. Every little helps, right? The range is also certified by TÜV Austria, an independent, internationally regarded guarantee for the renewability of raw materials. Impressive stuff.
5. Best breast pads for size offeringTommee Tippee Made for Me Daily Disposable Breast Pads Large Pack of 40Made from: Five layers of absorbent material including non-woven film, tissue paper, wood pulp, super absorbent polymer and polyethylene.
Specifications: These pads from parenting powerhouse Tommee Tippee are design to enhance a mother's confidence by offering a size to suit every breast shape - and we are seriously here for that. The pads come in small, medium or large; a feature which is unique to Tommee Tippee and no other brand offer this. the box comes with a handy sizing guide on the back to help you choose the pad best suited to your bra size. The brand also claims that its breast pads absorb more leakage than any of the leading brands of breast pads.
Why we love it: Something they don't tell you in the parenting books is just how much your breasts can change size and shape when pregnant, nursing and after weaning off breastfeeding. You might even have one boob several sizes larger than the other due to your milk production. This is where these breast pads come in; you can choose the size that best suits your boobs without fear of them slipping off or being small they don't catch the leaks. They even mark them with ‘left’ and ‘right’ boob. Handy.
6. Best breast pads for heavy leakingMedela Safe & Dry Disposable Nursing PadsMade from: A soft, natural-fibre lining with an ultra-absorbent polymer core
Specifications: These pads are designed for heavy leaks - especially during the nighttime when milk production can heighten. They come with a soft lining that instantly wicks moisture from your skin and the ultra-absorbent polymer core cleverly turns the liquid into a gel. If that wasn't enough protection to give you peace of mind, they also have a waterproof outer layer to protect your clothing from those awkward white marks.
Why we love it: There's so many things to worry about when you're a new mum and these pads mean leaky boobs isn't one of them. When we tested them during a milk-heavy night, they helped wick away any sticky milk and keep our boobs fresh and leak-free. Despite being heavy-duty, they're surprisingly subtle under clothing and the two adhesive labels means they do.not.budge.
7. Best breast pads for collecting milkElvie Catch Breast Milk Collection Cups, Pack of 2Made from: Food grade silicone and BPA free plastic (PP)
Specifications: Not strictly a breast pad, the Elvie Catch is a set of two milk collection cups that helps collect leaked milk that would otherwise be wasted (you can use it to top up bottle feeds). They have a slip-proof silicone skirt that's designed to be super secure whilst collecting up to 1 oz. of milk on each side.
Why we love it: We are staunch fans of Elvie, a femm-tech giant that's behind some of our favourite breast pumps, and this is just another forward-thinking innovation from the brand. There's nothing more frustrating that wasting leftover breast milk so these silicone cups help you collect what would otherwise be wasted. We used it to top up bottle feeds and felt extremely frugal. They do need changing every three hours, which can be difficult to remember to do when you're out and about but if you're up for saving your milk, they're worth the hassle.
Save when you shop for the best breast pads with these John Lewis discount codes.
8. Best breast pads for looking smooth and discrete under clothesLola&Lykke Curved Bamboo Nursing PadsMade from: Silky soft bamboo material
Specifications: These pads are ideal if you're looking for something super discreet that also protects sensitive skin. They're made from natural bamboo that is anti-bacterial, anti-odour, soft, and absorbent. They have a clever domed shape which makes them snug and discreet under even the tightest of clothes.
Why we love it: Just because you're wearing breast pads doesn't mean you have to hide them under baggy jumpers. These breast pads have a domed shape so slip perfectly under tight-fitting clothes. Despite being thin and subtle, they offer a triple whammy of protection, including a core that contains a liquid-soaking foam and a waterproofed polyester coating. We wore them as a wedding guest and were impressed (and relieved!).
9. Best breast pads for washing and reusingLittle Lamb Bamboo Breast PadsMade from: A double layer of 100% Oeko-tex certified bamboo with a laminate backing
Specifications: You'll find five pairs of breast packs and a small laundry bag in every pack from this family-run business. The fabric is woven rather than knitted, meaning they are very discreet. Unlike some rigid discs, the fabric of these pads is so soft that it allows itself to mould to your shape. Each pad has a laminate inside layer to prevent leaking in a subtle way.
Why we love it: It's always nice to support a small business and Little Lamb does what it says on the tin. The breast pads are so easy to wash - and even come with a mesh drawstring washing bag, which stops them going astray in the machine. They also come in two sizes, 11cms and 13cms, so you can choose the right one for you.
Entering your motherhood era? Shop baby changing bags, baby shower gifts, maternity jeans, maternity nightwear, maternity overalls, maternity dresses, maternity trousers and breastfeeding tops. We've also found maternity wedding dresses and maternity wedding guest dresses to help you navigate wedding season.
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