As with my previous post on this subject, if this subject disturbs you or will in anyway affect the way your interact with me either online or in real life, please abstain from reading this. Below is my reiterated warning.
This is a post dealing with feminine product choices. If you know me in real life and/or are male, consider yourself forewarned. If you think this may distress you or affect our in person relationship, please, by all means, DO NOT READ THIS! Now that I’ve warned you, we’ll be moving on.
Having had such a wonderful experience with cloth panty liners I decided I would move forward and try cloth menstrual pads. Let me just say that I realize that the washing of cloth menstrual pads could be potentially gross. But since I have a daughter in cloth diapers, I can simply rinse with my diaper sprayer and wash the pads with her diapers. There are other sites that have potential suggestions for how to easily care for reusable menstrual pads. But I won’t be covering those kinds of details here.
Knickernappies Stackable Menstrual Pads
Knickernappies Stackable Menstrual Pads
$9 or $10 (Kelly’s Closet and other diaper retailers)
One fleece liner, two pads, regular and large, that snap on to the liner or can be stacked for overnight protection.
I purchased two of these and I found them to be a little disappointing for a couple of reasons. First, the color combination is always random. Mine came with light blue fleece on both and purple pads for one and orange pads for the other. I was hoping for the more neutral sage green and white that was pictured. But color doesn’t really matter that much to me in this case.
These pads are definitely bulky when stacked and the liner moves a little more than I would like, but definitely more comfortable than the plastic disposable pads. They also washed up very well. However, they are also some of the more affordable options on the market.
I was pleased with the absorbency but I did have an overnight leak because it wouldn’t stay in place. (That being said, I used to have that problem all the time with disposable pads too). These are also a little annoying to use with just the regular pad. The liner feels far too long and floppy with the shorter pad on it. I think I’d prefer just to purchase two separate sized pads in the future.
If you can find them on sale, they are probably worth keeping around, if only to wear at night.
Happy Heiny’s Mama Pads
Happy Heiny’s Mama Pads
3 for $18 regular
3 for $19.50 overnight
(Kelly’s Closet and other diaper retailers)
I was reluctant to try these for a couple of reasons. I had mixed success with the Fuzzi Bunz panty liners and these are similarly constructed. I also wasn’t sure about micro-fleece because it can be kind of sweaty. But I soon realized that overnight weight protection in cloth menstrual pads can be very expensive and Happy Heiny’s prices were quite reasonable.
I was pleasantly surprised. I bought a 3-pack of the overnight weight pads and they were significantly longer than I expected, but in the case of overnight protection this is a good thing. After washing I did noticed a pucker in the fabric at the front end, which other reviews on Kelly’s Closet commented on, but since I mostly wear them at night, it doesn’t significantly affect the feel or function.
The micro-fleece doesn’t breath as well as the cotton, but it is more absorbent and has a better stay-dry feel, similar to a disposable pad. If I needed more nighttime pads I would consider buying more of these.
Caroline’s Creations Cloth Menstrual Pads
Caroline’s Creations Menstrual Pads
3 for $13.99-$15.99
I have these pads in 10 inch heavy flow, 8 inch heavy flow, and 8 inch medium flow, but she makes them in all different sizes and varieties. These can also be purchased in sets of 6, and 12, sometimes for an additional savings. Like her panty liners, the workmanship on these is top notch as are the prices.
These are vastly more comfortable than disposable pads and the flannel cotton construction holds up well to multiple washings. I love that you can select from so many colors and patterns. My heavy flow pads are red and the medium flow pads are dark pink. My mom actually saw my stash of these in a basket in my bathroom and was surprised how pretty they looked. (After all, who would have figured something we’ve grown to detest as much as menstrual products could actually become an attractive accessory?)
These pads do shift around sometimes, but not too much. These are probably my favorite, except maybe for overnight on heavy days, where I think a micro-fiber material may have an absorbency advantage, but I think it depends on the individual person. Overall, as with her other products, I have been very pleased with these and if I ever need more, this is the first place I’ll go.
So there it is: my reviews of my favorite Cloth Mama Pads. Assuming I continue using everything in my stash I won’t have to buy disposable pads (except perhaps for a few to travel with in case of emergency) for years, hopefully.
While this continues to be a subject that I don’t bring up at parties, I’m pleased with myself for adding another frugal and green aspect to my life. Click To TweetIt’s amazing how a decision like cloth diapering soon begins to affect so many other aspects of your life. To date I have begun using cloth diapers, cloth wipes, cloth training pants, handkerchiefs (and the homemade equivalent), cloth napkins, cloth cleaning rags and towels, cloth grocery bags, cloth panty liners and cloth menstrual pads. That’s a big change from just two years ago!
Living a more frugal/eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with little steps taken every day: grabbing a dish cloth to wipe up spilled water instead of a paper towel, wiping a toddler’s runny nose with a baby wash cloth instead of a tissue (trust me their little noses will thank you) or hanging your laundry out to dry.
Have you added a new practice to your life to help you save money and/or the environment? I’d love to hear about it!
This was a very helpful post. I’ve looked into this at one point but the cost at the time prohibited me from buying anything. But I was curious since I was cloth diapering…does cloth really feel better on the bottom? I did buy some nice quality plain red washcloths and tri-folded. It was a bit bulky for daytime use…just right for nighttime use. But what I found amazing was that I never got the normal chafing rash that I used to get with disposable pads (and I detest tampons). It was so easy to throw in with the cloth diapers to wash and the red never showed up against the dark red of the cloths so my husband never freaked out doing the laundry. I’ll have to go try Caroline’s for the future. I haven’t had a real period in quite a number of years b/c I’m always pregnant or breastfeeding and as soon as a period shows up I seem to be pregnant again! Anyway…thanks for the review. It helps.
There are tons of Etsy sellers who make mama cloth. Caroline’s Creations just happens to be my favorite. You can also wait until a cloth diaper vendor is offering a coupon or sale. Usually, cloth menstrual pads aren’t excluded and you can get a nice size discount. That’s how I ordered my Happy Heinys and Knickernappies pads. Plus, some ladies offer patterns on how to make you own, if you sew.
Great post!! I have been using mama cloth for about 5 years now and it has greatly benefited my health in so many ways!!
I have a giveaway on my blog right now for an AWESOME overnight cloth pad if you’re interested!
http://joyfilledmama.blogspot.com/2011/06/cloth-pads-at-ladybug-creations.html
If you are willing to give fuzzibunz another try, I can tell you the regular and super pads (7″ and 9-1/2″ respectively) are great! I agree the panty liners are too short and not worth using, however, I have LOVED these other two sizes.
I considered trying them during my postpartum period with my last baby, but I ended up finding another brand on massive clearance. I think I’ve got a pretty good stash, but I’ll keep those in mind if I need more for the next baby. I find them too warm to use in the summer months except for postpartum.
I’m just starting a reusable pads journey. I found your two review posts really useful
I’m glad you found it helpful. When I first started researching reusable pads I couldn’t find any comparison reviews so I wanted to create a post that would help other women through the transition. Four years since I originally wrote this post and I haven’t had to purchase any disposable products. (Though there may be some from the hospital after this next delivery, which will hopefully be any day now).
Grrr…. Carolina Creations keeps being a favorite on the blogs I’m reading and she had to close her shop for now because of illness with her recent pregnancy. I don’t know who else to try that will be reasonably priced and well made.
I haven’t tried them myself, but MamaBear BabyWear (also Etsy) has nice products. I’ve used her diapers and trainers from her. The workmanship and customer service are both great. You may see price increases at a lot of shops since many sellers have been told they need to pay a fee now because cloth pads are being considered medical devices.
Oh my… That’s dumb. Are cloth diapers going to be considered medical too?
My washcloths and poofs for bathing should be as well…. Why do they make these stupid rules. I’d sort of understand the concept of “medical” for the feminine cups because they go inside, but pads, really? It’s just like having thicker underwear. Tsk tsk
Anyway, thanks for the info!! Haha
I’ll check out the other shop.
I did message Caroline’s Crations and she said she plans to open up shop again soon-ish.
I agree. It’s a ridiculous rule.
I may have a warped sense of humor but it struck me as funny that along the right hand sidebar of this posting your selection of “What I’m Reading” shows as “Blood of Tyrants” – ROFLOL!!!
That is funny! I need to update my What I’m Reading list, I still haven’t finished that book, but I’ve read dozens of others in the meantime. Really should get back to it.
That’s just perfect for this post, you have to admit. 🙂
Absolutely!