Mama Cloth Pads Post-Partum?

[daisymommy]

I am shopping for post-partum mama cloth pads right now. I just placed a custom order for some dyed hemp pads thru Jen at Mom-n-Me-Creations. They are so pretty--dyed a maroon color to hide stains. But now I am concerened because I fear the hemp without fleece or velour on top will be too rough "there" after having a baby, nor will it wick moisture away. What do you ladies think? Any experience with this?

What kind of post-partum pads did you all use (if you used cloth for PP). I have some Overnight Happy Heiny pads (enough for a full days use). But I wonder if they will be absorbent enough for post-partum? I can't remember how much they hold (I've forgotten after nearly 6 months of non-use) ;).

Also, I usually would put my cloth pads into a wetbag in the bathroom, then when I washed cloth diapers, I would rinse the cloth diapers, then add the mama-pads to the actual wash cycle with detergent, and continue washing as normal (for CD's).

But now I am wondering if it would be okay to throw my used and rinsed out pads into my CD diaper pail along with the new baby's diapers? I feel weird about the idea of throwing my pads with bodily fluids on them (sorry if TMI!)--and her poop, urine all mixed together--yuck. But maybe I'm just being silly about that. I know it doesn't bother some people. What do you gals think? Anyone do this themselves?
I was just thinking it would be easier in the beginning when my mom and DH are doing the laundry to dump one single diaper pail into the wash and not have to be messing with 2 different bags of things and telling them when to add my "personal items" to the wash (embarrased about that--blush).

Your advice is much appreciated!

[mudder17]

No experience with it, but with my pads that were not wool-lined, I would rinse out with cold water and then yes, on wash day, I would just dump them in with the diapers. I never had much of a problem and I figure it's all wastes and will go out in the wash. Especially because after the cold rinse I usually do, I do a hot long wash with detergent and I don't see a problem with it. If you're a little queasy about it, though, you could fill a spray bottle with peroxide and spray your pads before putting it in the diaper pail. The peroxide helps break down the blood so that by wash day, it's usually already mostly broken down.

By the way, I can't believe you're already in your ... 2nd trimester? Holy cow, where does the time go! After the holidays, send me a bop over the head--I need to send you some diapers! Preemie PFs and K0s, right? :)

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah
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Kaya's a cousin! 10/1/05, 5lb13oz

[calebsmama03]

Amy,
I used cloth PP this time and it was great. THe first day or 2 I really just used trifloded preemie PF's since I was hanging out in my bed anyway and I wanted to be free to change them very often (didn't have a huge stash of PP pads but had quite a few $1 PFs!), but once I started being more up and about I switched to regular cloth pads. By then the bleeding was not much more than a regular period. I used MnM hemp pads (had some PP and some reg size) and they were not too rough at all. I also used both 9in and 11in Freshies with wool bodies. The longer ones were more comfy because the rough(er) edges were well away from the sensitive parts. Honestly, following my MW's advice and taking it very easy for the first week or 2 made this PP bleeding comparatively quite light! I was literally upstairs in bed for 2 days - only got up to use the bathroom. After that I limited stairs and walking in general for another week and my bleeding was down to spotting by the end of a week so the cloth wasn't a probalem at all.

Re the care, I rinsed out any excess blood right away then tossed them in the dipe pail. MIL was doing laundry and I didn't want her questioning what they were so having them in with the dipes she just assumed they were diapers ;)
Lynne
Mommy to C 3/03
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And Miss Purple, 5/05

[Rachels]

I used HH pads exclusively after the first day or two. The fleece felt very soft, and I found the postpartum bleeding to be a lot less of a headache because of it.

As for the body fluids thing, think from whence she came. She'll be fine. :)

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
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Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
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"When you know better, you do better."
Maya