Ready in under an hour, these DIY breast pads are simple to make. This is a straightforward way to avoid using disposable breast pads made from plastic and other harmful materials.
These DIY breast pads are a simple way to reduce the plastic you bring into your home and cut back on the expenses that can come with a new baby. They are ready in under one hour and you can make them from repurposed materials in your home. I always like to make a stack of breast pads and DIY burp cloths when getting ready for a new baby.
Are disposable breast pads safe?
Made Using Polyethylene
Most disposable breast pads are made using some variety of plastic, including polyethylene. Polyethylene is a major contributor to the single use plastic crisis. The material does not easily biodegrade which means that disposable breast pads can be around for hundreds of years and are harmful to the environment.
Lack Of Breathability
Plastic is a primary material used in disposable breast pads and it is not a breathable material. Constant wetness against your nipples could cause skin irritation and encourage the growth of bacteria and yeast.
Why Make Your Own DIY Breast Pads?
Choose Natural and Breathable Fabrics
I like making my own breast pads because I can choose to use super breathable and soft fabrics like 100% cotton, wool, and cotton flannel.
More Economical
Over time, disposable breast pads become expensive. For example, where we live, a pack of 60 pads costs £5.50 or about $7. If you average six pads per day (you are meant to change them after every feed), you’ll need about three packs per month. This means that after a year of breastfeeding, you will have spent over $400 on disposable breast pads.
Ready In Under 1 Hour
Because these are so simple, you can make a whole stack of them in under an hour.
How To Make DIY Breast Pads
Materials
Cotton Fabric
Wool Jersey or Cotton Terry Cloth Fabric
Matching Thread
Supplies
Sewing Machine – I use this machine
Sewing Pins
Scissors
Measuring Tape
Washable Pen
Optional – small piece of cardboard to use as a pattern piece
Instructions
Wash and dry your fabric completely. This will prevent the breast pads from shrinking when you wash them.
Lay your wool jersey fabric or terry cloth fabric out flat. Use your tape measure to cut out a 5×5” square.
Then fold the square in half and cut out a circle being careful not to cut away too much fabric. This is your pattern piece. You can alternatively make a 5×5” circle pattern piece from a piece of cardboard.
For each breast pad you will use two layers of wool jersey or terry cloth in the middle, and two pieces of cotton to cover the filling. Use your pattern piece to cut out any many circles as you need.
For example: for three breast pads, you’ll need six pieces of wool cotton or terry cloth circles and six circles of cotton.
After you have your pattern pieces cut out, sandwich two pieces of wool jersey or terry cloth between two pieces of cotton (one on the top and one on the bottom). Pin everything into place.
Use a zig zag stitch to sew over the raw edges of the circles and secure all the layers in place.
That’s it!
FAQ
Do these work for heavy leaking?
For heavy leaking I’d recommend using wool jersey fabric as the filling as this is a more absorbent fabric. You can also use three layers of wool jersey into the breast pad before sewing them.
What fabric to use for breast pads?
It’s best to use fabrics made from natural fibres like cotton or wool. The best fabrics are cotton flannel, wool jersey, terry cloth, bamboo fleece, or a wool cotton blend.
How to clean DIY breast pads?
Wash the pads when they become noticeably wet using a hot cycle. Let them dry completely before using them again to avoid moisture building up.
What to read next
Simple and Quick DIY Muslin Burp Cloths
How To Make Nora Tea For Pregnancy
Simple Labor Aid Electrolyte Drink Recipe
5 Simple and Nourishing Snacks For Hospital Bag
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The Simplest DIY Breast Pads
Ready in under an hour, these DIY breast pads are simple to make. This is a straightforward way to avoid using disposable breast pads made from plastic and other harmful materials.
Materials
- 1/2 Yard - Cotton Fabric
- 1/2 Yard - Wool Jersey or Cotton Terry Cloth Fabric
- Matching Thread
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Sewing Pins
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
- Washable Pen
- Optional - small piece of cardboard to use as a pattern piece
Instructions
- Wash and dry your fabric completely. This will prevent the breast pads from shrinking when you wash them.
- Lay your wool jersey fabric or terry cloth fabric out flat. Use your tape measure to cut out a 5x5” square.
- Then fold the square in half and cut out a circle being careful not to cut away too much fabric. This is your pattern piece. You can alternatively make a 5x5” circle pattern piece from a piece of cardboard.
- For each breast pad you will use two layers of wool jersey or terry cloth in the middle, and two pieces of cotton to cover the filling. Use your pattern piece to cut out any many circles as you need. For example: for three breast pads, you’ll need six pieces of wool cotton or terry cloth circles and six circles of cotton.
- After you have your pattern pieces cut out, sandwich two pieces of wool jersey or terry cloth between two pieces of cotton (one on the top and one on the bottom). Pin everything into place.
- Use a zig zag stitch to sew over the raw edges of the circles and secure all the layers in place.
- That’s it!
Notes
Do these work for heavy leaking?
For heavy leaking I’d recommend using wool jersey fabric as the filling as this is a more absorbent fabric. You can also use three layers of wool jersey into the breast pad before sewing them.
What fabric to use for breast pads?
It’s best to use fabrics made from natural fibres like cotton or wool. The best fabrics are cotton flannel, wool jersey, terry cloth, bamboo fleece, or a wool cotton blend.
How to clean DIY breast pads?
Wash the pads when they become noticeably wet using a hot cycle. Let them dry completely before using them again to avoid moisture building up.
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