Buying a new pram, a wooden toy or some cute baby outfits when you are pregnant is fun.
Deciding which breast pads to buy and how many is obviously less exciting.
Yet being able to go out and meet up with friends or enjoy the fact that baby is -for once- having a longer nap without worrying about leaky breasts go a long way to make you feel confident when you've just had a baby.
Whichever type of nursing pads you choose, they should be changed frequently and as soon as they feel damp.
This will help reduce the risk of sore nipples and bacterial or yeast infections.
Although some brands of pads feature a waterproof membrane to avoid leaking breast milk, it is worth double checking that it is breathable.
Allowing good air-flow is the best way to encourage healing and reduce the risk of infection.
For hygiene reasons, they should be individually wrapped.
This means that you can easily carry a few in your changing bag if you are out and about for the day.
Disposable breast pads are usually made of cotton or paper.
They are meant to be discarded after the are used.
Most pads feature a small adhesive tape which allows to secure them to the bra so they stay well in place.
Disposable breast pads can vary in reliability.
Cheaper pads might turn out to be more expensive to use as they need to be changed more frequently.
Choosing a well-know brand of nursing aids like Medela or Lansinoh might actually saves money.
The issue with disposable breast pads is their cost.
Buying them in bulk is another way to reduce the cost as some shops might offer discounts for larger quantities.
If you find that your breasts leak a lot, it might be worth considering switching completely to washable breast pads or using a combination of disposables and reusable pads.
Disposable breast pads might be convenient but they are not very 'green'.
They are only worn for a few hours and disposed of.
They are not recyclable either.
You can still help a little by making sure that they come from renewable sources, contain no chlorine-bleached materials, polyacrylate gel or petrochemical plastics.
Although disposable breast pads are not the most environmentally friendly option, they are convenient and reliable.
For a new breastfeeding mother, this can help a lot.