making cloth reusable menstrual pads

[goldenluver]

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I just got a few new prints last week when JoAnns had a big sale going on, so will have some more real cute ones soon too

 

[chicknduck]

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I'm sorry, I have to agree :O The thought just doesn't agree with me.

x3

 

[ScotianChick]

I'm using mine for the first time this week and they are SUPER comfortable. It feels way less icky than those plastic-ish pads

 

[goldenluver]

wait until you realize they don't stink like the disposable ones

 

[chicks4kids]

I'm sorry but I just don't get it....and don't bash me either, obviously this is a thread where "it's all out there"....so here is my question....I remember being a teenager and quite active in sports and swimming in the pool in the summer and hating pads because well, frankly, you could tell everytime a drop of blood came out

and then came the uncomfortable moment when you think "am I going to bleed through?" ....and yes, I had the mother that only let me have pads-such a bad thing for a hyper active teenager in sports and outdoor summer activities. Thankfully, I had the babysitter that introduced me to tampons. OK, so back to the question....how do you know that you won't bleed through on these? Seriously?

I guess my question is "how do you go from tampons all your life to these?" I'm really not trying to bash this idea, but I have no mother figure, she is gone plus she never was one to guide me in any way so I look to the alternatives, and BYC is somewhere that I find myself everyday. So even though this is a very touchy subject, maybe my questions could help someone else who may be thinking the same thing but may not be able to ask it. I've looked these into these reusable pads many times because I'm all about recycling, reusing, and repurposing, but in my mindset, even though I'm into the natural way of things this is one of the thing that I cannot bring myself to compromise on. Especially since I don't have cramps or bad menstrual cycles. So.....


What makes me or anyone else me consider this as an alternative? I understand what some of you have said, but still, it's a hard switch to make....so what made you switch? Seriously. If someone were to seriously consider switching from tampons or disposable pads to reusable pads, how often do they "change" everyday? How many of these reusable pads do we need?? And don't say "it depends on your cycle" yada yada yada...we all know that...but give us an idea....like 3 a day? What about night time? Are there night time pads??? I don't know....I always love to explore new possibilities, but this one is one incredibly scary change for me to say the least.

 

[goldenluver]

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tampons and pads are both for preferences, there is a DIVA cup made that is reusable for some one who prefers tampons, I have never like a tampon, they hurt me. so it is a preference for each individual

 

[nifftiness]

I was a tampon user my whole life. I thought pads were gross, hated that damp feeling, they bugged me, i always seeped out the sides, they just didnt work for me.
THEN I went into labour with my son. I had a long hard delivery and was bleeding heavly for two weeks after. I wasnt about to use a tampon after just having a baby and the big pads at the hospital are horrible so when i got home and my husband went to work one of the first things i did was look for something to use as an alternative to pads. I had a bunch of flannel baby wipes and started using them, id layer two and fold them. They dont slip because of the flannel., they stay in place, with no snapes or wings. Iv never gone back! I only use tampons if i know im going to be out for a long day or sitting for a really long time. Then ill use a tampon and a flannel pad for the security of not leaking.

The difference... When using a pad, we all no what they look after use. Thats what turned me off before. Flannel absorbes mostly everything so you dont have that nasty site to see when swapping. The cloth ones dont smell like the store ones. They dont feel wet down their because the flannel absorbes everything. Which means no irritation. And the way i do it i can layer as much as i want without them getting to bulky which makes it so i controll how much protection i need. For no leaks. And i dont mind changing them more often if need be, its not costing me anything since their reusable. Mine are shapes like a baby wipe, a little narrower. I use to layers off flannel. And fold them three times so they are shaped like a narrow rectangle. This adds up to 6 layers of flannes. I i layer two of the wipes and then fold, its 12 layers of flannel, with no bulkiness. They dont take up any room, and cuz they look like baby wipes no one in my house even knows what i use them for.... im kinda modest about it and dont want anyone grossed out. When in reality it seems like a much cleaner method. Thats what made me switch

 

[miss_thenorth]

I believe goldenluver's pads have a PUL fabric, which is waterproof. Me, with my homemade pads I change them twice to three times a day. At night, if you flow heavy, double up with and old rag or washcloth. I don't have PUL fabric, and have never leaked even at night. And as far switching, just try it once. Get an old washcloth fold it into thirds,and place on your panties. No need to pin, just wear tight panties. You will find that just like that, it is so much better tahn sposies. If you think it might be for you after that, buy or make your own. there are many patterns out there, but goldenluver's are really nice and a good price. nd the diva cup is a great option for athletics/ swimming etc.

 

[nifftiness]

I recently had to make more, my others have lasted 6 years. I just use anything old flannel from around the house... pjs that dont fit, and old flannel sheet. I bought a flannes sheet from the second hand store once and made a tond of them. If you make just a rectangle, kinda narrow and sew the same shape as a baby wipe, then fold them 3 times its perfect, and anyone can sew a rectangle. And costs pennys!!! You truly dont need the wings, or the snappes, as nice as they look.

 

[Tala]

chicks4kids

I switched because 1) sposie pads felt like wearing a sposie diaper, and they crinkled when I walked 2) sposie tampons gave me worsening cramps the longer I had one in.
SOME people find that their flow actually lessens somewhat when they switch, because there are less chemical-y irritants. My flow has never been super heavy so I really didn't notice a difference. I DID notice a difference in the comfort and lack of cramps!!!

As stated, the flannel stuff absorbs quite well, which means less wet feeling. If I start noticing the wet feeling, it's time for a change. I use my crappy old undies for my period, so some leaks don't bother me. The only problem I've had is when I leaked a little to one side, and it went through the "wing" proton of the pad, which is thinner than the absorbent part. I'm very small/narrow, so some pads are a bit wide for me I think was the cause of the problem. Never leaked bad enough to get on my pants though, so no real worries. There are longer/thicker pads for night time. I have two of them because I usually only need them for the first couple of days.

You can still use tampons if you need to go swimming. I mean just because you switch to cloth pads doesn't EXCLUDE all other options when needed

I used organic, bleach-free tampons for a while. Now I use a reusable silicone MoonCup (from the UK), which is slightly shorter than the Diva Cup and fits my body better (I have both actually). With the cup, you can wear it for ~12 hours (depending on your flow of course) so it's really convenient to pop that in in the morning in the comfort of your own bathroom, and not have to worry about changing stuff while at work. My sister almost exclusively wears the DivaCup, while I tend to go with cloth pads OR the cup depending on how I feel that morning

I don't carry a purse, so changing a dirty reusable pad at work does present a minor inconvenience of taking the old one home with me. Some people keep a ziplock in their purse for dirties, and some people make colorful cloth bags with a waterproof liner just for the purpose.